Is Breastfeeding Revolutionary?
Beyoncé and others receive criticism for breastfeeding in public; Healthy Child Healthy World’s Rachel Sarnoff on activist support
I remember the first time I saw someone breastfeed. I was 27 and had just gotten married; one of my best friends had her baby the same year. We all sat around marveling at this amazing little being she had created and when he started to fuss, she fed him. It was miraculous.
Related: Breastfeeding Doll — Good or Bad Idea for Girls? (POLL)
A year later, I had my own baby to feed and I remembered what she told me: Put your baby on your breast the minute he is born. Even if there’s nothing coming out, keep doing it until there is.
I was lucky to have that advice, and to be able to successfully feed my son until he was a year old, and my daughters until they were each six months. I breastfed everywhere—at the market, in the park, sitting on a mall bench, even at Disneyland—without incident. Which is why it’s surprising to me how much fuss is being raised over breastfeeding today.
Related: Breast Is Best? Breastfeeding Helps Kids Behave Better, Study Finds
After Beyoncé discretely fed seven-week-old Blue Ivy in a New York restaurant, she was enthusiastically supported by breastfeeding activists, who noted that the simple act might change cultural perceptions. According to the CDC, breastfeeding is embraced by 74% of white mothers and only 54% of black mothers, despite organizations such as the American Academy of Pediatrics recommending the practice for a minimum of six months.
But Beyoncé was also widely criticized by media such as “The View’s” Joy Behar, who said, “I would think twice if I were that big a star, drawing attention to myself.”
Related: Breastfeeding and Formula Can Go Hand-in-Hand, Guilt Free
Rachel Sarnoff
Public opinion seems to be leaning in the anti-breastfeeding direction. In Georgia, a mother of four was forced out of church for breastfeeding—which her pastor compared to a “stripper performing,” according to the Huffington Post.
A Washington D.C. mother was accused of “indecent exposure” for breastfeeding her four-month-old in a public building, according to the Washington Post. (She also happens to be a lawyer, and after confirming that she was protected by the Child’s Right to Nurse Human Rights Amendment Act of 2007, filed a complaint with the D.C. Office of Human Rights.)
Related: Breastfeeding Mom Ordered Off Bus; What do You Think? (POLL)
And despite the fact that 45 states have similar laws protecting a woman’s right to nurse, reports of similar cases keep popping up, inspiring “lactivists” to stage “nurse-ins,” such as those reportedly held at more than 200 Target stores in late December.
Do you have to be an activist to breastfeed? What’s your experience? Leave a comment and let us know what you think!
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Category: Parenting, Relationships
I think people in america are bonkers the best thing for babies is breastfeeding and i see no reason for such a negative output on feeding a baby .I do believe that there is a certain age limit that you shouldnt nurse a child. I breastfeed my kids until they were a year old.In a uniform they are nursing mothers and why should a baby go without just to appease others. that are prudish and ignorant.
I can't believe breastfeeding is even up for debate or discussion. A baby gets hungry so you feed your baby, end of story, cover, no cover, it is natural. Why do so many people have a problem with it? Why is it totally acceptable to give babies artificial boobs (bottles and pacifiers) and not the real thing in public. What are moms suppose to do? Stay home all day so they can breastfeed in privacy. My baby HATES the cover and why on earth would I pump so other people can feel more comfortable. Your breast milk changes throughout the day to meet your babies needs. In the morning it is higher in cholestrol, at night higher in fat. When my baby took a bottle and then latched on, it hurt. Why is something so natural even up for discussion.
I believe a women should have the right to breastfeed her baby in a respectful and dignified manner anywhere. That being said, I also think you have to be considerate of others feelings. I think when you breastfeed in public you just don't whip it out and show everyone how it is done. You should always maintain a bit of privacy, and try to make others comfortable. That is the Southern way.
When is this Madness going to stop! It's still OK for men to peruse bare-chested women in strip clubs without admonishments, but God forbid a mother breastfeeds her child in public….this is so STUPID! And all of us who support breastfeeding should continue to bring this issue to light for the benefit of our future generations.
brain dead people and part of the problem is that women would even care,and all of you that think it should not be done in public;have you guys ladies lost your minds nothing could be more natural after a year or two it is time to stop 4or 5 is excessive but not wrong i always thought of a breast feeding woman as one of the most beautiful things in life for the men who get sexually aroused sound like a personal problem to me the fact that americans are talking about this only shows how brain dead they have become. you people can except some of the most classless tasteless vulgar things i have seen in my life 60 years and you are offended by a women`s breast you make me think of the time i tried to tell a child that milk came from cows he would not hear me soon your children wont even know that milk comes from breast their mothers a milking cow or other wise you can except the unnatural the vulgar and the tasteless but a breast feeding mother that offends what the hell is the matter with you people as for being discreet i dont think that most american women know or understand what it means to be discreet or what modesty is
People in this country are to hung up on all of this. It is natural for mother to breastfeed. Go over seas and look around. Men can walk the beach showing their breast and it is OK. Wake up America
I breastfeed two babies for about 13 months each and didn't find it inconvenient to find a private place to feed. If there is no other choice a light weight cover will work. There is NO reason to display your breasts like the women on the magazine covers did. Obviously I am a strong advocate for breastfeeding but there is no excuse for exposing yourself in the manner shown on the recent magazine covers. Pumping is an option but I don't even think that it is necessary unless mom will be away from baby. I found people very accomodating when I asked for a place to nurse in private.
When G-d created the baby, he also created the food for the baby at the same time. When hunger strikes, it's time to eat, whether it's a gourmet restaurant, fast food, or anything in between – and we go and get it. When the baby is hungry and mom is right there, the baby smells the food and he is ready to eat. It is the responsibility of the mom to give the baby the necessary nourishment and it is also the responsibility of the mom to ensure a little discreet privacy. While breastfeeding is natural, we also know that women's body's have been widely exploited as sexual tools. It's sort of like smoking – people who smoke feel they have the right to smoke whenever and where ever they want. The rest of us don't like being exposed to the cancerous habit, so now there are laws that prohibit people from smoking in public places. There are designated places for smokers so they can smoke all over each other. I don't think laws are needed for breastfeeding moms because this is natural while smoking is not. However, I do think moms should take a little extra precaution to ensure a peaceful, satisfying nursing experience for herself and her baby by using a nursing cover-up, a baby blanket or something of this nature to avoid being targeted and keep it safe for all moms. I think it's quite interesting that no one has anything to say if mom is changing her babies diaper while sitting on a bench in a mall but everyone gets in an uproar if she's breastfeeding. Go Figure. People, Elevate Your Mind and Cast Your Eyes Elsewhere!!
Breast feeding is not in any why, shape, or form an immoral or inappropriate behavior, unlike much of what we are forced to witness in public.
I agree that to nurse a child in public, who is older than 3 yr. old, seems a little strange, that child is school age, and should be using a cup.
I just saw that I typed "why" instead of "way" in my comment a minute ago, but then again why a woman chooses not to breast feed or why others are bothered by those who do so is the question that should really be discussed. How did we get to this point where some people think pumping milk into a bottle is more appropriate than feeding babies the way nature intended? Why are people now offended seeing breast feeding, yet not offended by the idea that a mother should be judged for doing such a good thing?
I think breast feeding is appropriate if done discreetly. I was six when I first saw a woman breastfeeding at our church picnic and she did it with a napkin placed over her breast and the baby's face. Nobody noticed and she didn't make an issue out of it and neither did anyone else.
We Americans think sex can be displayed indiscriminately but God forbid we mention anything else we were meant for.
This is all wrong. A woman is distasteful if she breast feeds her baby in pubic Which this is what GOD intended for us woman to do. But it is okay for strippers and other place allow for women to walk around with thier breast hanging out. What is this world comin to. I would rather see a woam feed her crying baby. then see a grown person eat in public. Some of these people dont know how to eat properly. or if the mother waits to find a private place to feed her child and the baby is crying then people get mad at the mother for letting her child cry. COME AMERICA GET WITH IT. Womanhave been feeding thier babies this way since the starting of time.As for the woman in uniform. They are woamn enough to fight for our country and we dont have a problem with that. but you all have a problem with the way they feed their children? get real.It shuldn't matter what your clothing is that a woman wears. I guess they should banned everyone from eating out in public. Cause that is what is being said. We are suppose to be in the land of the free. Well where is the mothers and childs freedom?
Fact: Women have breasts for only one reason – to feed their children. Women were not given breasts to be pictured in PlayBoyor to go to doctors to have made the size of balloons. Anyone who is against breast feeding – public or private doesn't understand biology. I breast fed 3 children in the 1970's (shame) and I did it publically and I can assue you that except for the end of the fussing I never exposed my D-cup breasts to the world.
A Womans body does something special during pregnancy and at birth. In fact most female mammals have the ablity to make milk for there new borns. If we own pets and it has a baby its ok for our dogs or cats to nurse there babys but we treat human females like alien trash, like they shouldn't do what the breast were made for to feed and nurture there babys. If we lived in the 1800 how does the mass believe most infants were feed in this country…..Now think all you genius, da they were BREASTFED. It sickens me to think that america has no issue if we see two men make out in public or two women grooping and kissing in public its fine they have rights their in love,and they can't make babies. But a mother who has no control over the fact that her body is ready for lactating when she gives birth,and the greatest love is that between mother and baby, and the greatest gift besides giving life is the gift of breastfeeding. Breastmilk is the gold standard by which all formula's attempt to duplicate but none can compare. Do your research on breastmilk you haters, you will be supprised by you findings and wish your mothers loved you enough to breastfeed you .
Do I agree?? — definitely not. Most inappropriate in public as others commented above. Why is there a lack of modesty anymore?
wow really Ellyn. You sound ridiculous. It is the REASON why women have BOOBS.
Modest women have always found a way to cover themselves if they have to breast feed in public and those who have a desire to expose themselves publically will find a reason to do that too.
Breastfeeding is the most natural thing in nature.
It is not the breastfeeding that shocks, but the immaturity of so called educated and mentally intelligent adults who think it is a shocking act.
Intelligence from the heart is called wisdom, and wise people can distinguish natural acts from offensive acts.
Immature people and Puritans – or extremists if you like – cannot make this distinction, and see only the breasts, sadly enough; sadly for themselves only.
I think that a woman has the right to breast feed but with something to cover the naked breast as not all public is okay with this practice.We had four breast fed babies but never felt the need to publicly bare a chest to feed a little one.In our time intrapped world…take a few minutes and relax with your little ones and enjoy the experience without the oggling of passersby.
For the same reason we take time out to go to the bathroom to relieve ourselves rather than just hiking our skirt to the wind , wherever the need happens..
Thats my thought.
I see no real reason to ban public breast feeding when it's done with finesse and modesty and courtesy to others and most women do. Just flipping a breast out and jamming it into baby's mouth is not and this is where many take issue. But I've seen mothers drape a light weight blanket over the shoulder first, shielding both baby and mom from stares. This is the way I nursed MANY years ago too when in the company of others..
Please also remember that when baby cries even in public, those mammary glands begin to squirt too and suddenly attention to mother's chest are sure to bring as many uncomfortable stares.
Sometimes we women become so angry or paranoid that we are being exploited by either men or even older folks that we simply decide to make a point by being as abrasive as possible, throwing ourselves or rubbing our conditions into faces that don't deserve that oppression. I don't think we need to go beyond what is civilized and necessary.
I am from Europe and had three children who I breastfed. And that is wrong? Normal, normal, normal. It make me really angry when that is still an issue in north America. Go to a grocery store and you, young and old will see many provocative pictures of women who are showing of there boobs but it is OK because you don't see her nipple or a child being nursed. What is wrong with those people who are against breast feeding? Most natural and healthy thing….. that's why we have those beautiful things……in the first place….to nurse. Let your boyfriend , husband get off on an T.V channel or Supermarket, much more to see there. More exiting than an nursing mother!!!!.
Nothing wrong with feeding a baby in public. Maybe there should be an age resriction; ie: I wouldn"t want to see, say a four year old being breastfed. I'd be jealous! As far as any uniformed mothers go, especially ones that serve the country and society in general, by all means wear the uniform with pride and take recognition for multi-tasking when breastfeeding. Any body that is disgusted or ashamed by viewing such a wonderful and natural function should excuse themselves from the setting and conteplate the wonders and marvels of human existence.
yes
I Think It's A Discrace In PUBLIC, No Matter What !!!
And, What are the Women in Any Armed Forces Even Doing There With an Infant At Their Job ???????
If You MUST Breast Feed, ( And You Don't HAVE To ), Then Do It at Home !!
It's the most natural thing in the world. I served for over 29 years to preserve principle just like this. You prudes need to pull your heads out of your rear ends and remember where we all come from. It just amazes me how some idiots can be offended by a mother feeing her baby.
Only people with their own private issues, problems and/or hang-ups would be offended by the mere act of feeding a baby; which is as natural and healthy as you can get.