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Wednesday, September 19, 2007

The Boobs Are Out...

The "momosphere" is all a-buzz with breastfeeding issues.


I first read Sara's excellent post over at Suburban Oblivion in response to Bill Maher's comments that likened Breastfeeding to Masterbation. Excellent post and gives good reason to say away from Bill Maher (if you need one).


Then, Izzy's Mom put me on to the fact that Facebook is banning breastfeeding pictures, yet allows blatantly pornographic pictures to be posted and has groups that support eating disorders -- I'm talking about "pro-anorexia" groups.


Both of them are well worth the read, as are all the other journals that link to them, so go have a read of them when you've got the time.


I don't really consider myself a "lactavitst," but when I was breastfeeding my kids, I just did it. I'm sure all of the people in my town have seen my breasts. For one thing, when my child was hungry and needed to be fed, he needed to be fed NOW. For another thing, not everyone has "breast feeding rooms" available. So when I was at Costco, I found a chair and whipped out the boob.


I didn't always feel this way. When we lived in Australia, we had some very good friends (well we still are friends, we just don't talk so much anymore) that had a little girl. Leanne was breastfeeding and, at first, it did make me a bit uncomfortable when she would breastfeed in front of me. There. I said it. I used to be uncomfortable with breastfeeding BEFORE I had kids.


I remember one day Leann and I were talking and I was asking her about breastfeeding and breastfeeding in public and she said to me, "I don't care. If it makes someone uncomfortable, that's their issue, not mine. I just don't care, I'm going to breastfeed no matter if if makes them uncomfortable or not."


Those words changed my attitude. She was exactly right. I was uncomfortable around breastfeeding because I'd never been exposed to it. The more I was exposed, the less uncomfortable I was. In Australia and Europe, it's not uncommon to see mother's breastfeeding in public. It's accepted, it's common and it's encouraged.


Like I said, when I was breastfeeding Sam, Leann's words stayed with me. Most times, when he needed to be fed, I would feed him where ever I was. There were times when I went someplace private, for various reasons, but I decided that breastfeeding was best for my child and that is what I was going to do. And when he was hungry, I fed him.


Anyway, Kristen at Motherhood Unsensored has put out a call to "deactivate" your Facebook account, so that's what I've done. No more Facebook and their annoying emails and applications for me!


Lastly, go check out this awesome post at Mojo of a Moma. It's an excellent post that truly points out the contradiction we have in our society -- it's okay for advertisers to objectify women to sell their product, but not okay for mothers to feed their children in public.

6 comments:

  1. I totally agree with your blog - I haven't had time to check out the links you have on there but will try to do so this evening. I was like you - a little uncomfortable with it BEFORE I became. Then I realized - really it's no different then giving a formula baby a bottle in public. It's not a sexual appendage when you're breastfeeding - it's a food delivery device and that's it. That's what they were intended for. I decided that was right for us - luckily I'm in California so it's pretty much accepted here but I ran into a few looks. I didn't care. Like your friend said - if they have an issue with it - that's their deal. Sorry it makes people uncomfortable but I wasn't going to deprive my baby of the food he was intended because of what other people think. I also wasn't going to stress myself out and pump all the time just to make other people feel better - Josh like to drink his milk "from the tap" as we called it!

    I guess I better get off my soapbox before I ramble too much - in a nutshell - I agree with you 100%!

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  2. Right on.

    A friend of mind was bf'ing her daughter in the "mommy lounge" at a mall we were having a play date at. Mind you, she is modest and was alllll covered up and facing away from the walk way. She was blocked from plain site of passersby by a 4 foot tall wall that was there for privacy.

    ...Then some woman walked up and said "You know they have rooms for that!" It's true, there did happen to be a "breastfeeding room" around the corner. My friend wasn't aware, but who cares anyway? It's ridiculous that they have rooms for such things. Even so, if you choose not to use it, it's your decision, right?

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  3. Leaving Bill Maher's poor characterization aside...I think a woman should be able to breastfeed her baby anywhere she likes. It is not offensive but rather natural to me...I would not be offended if I saw it...and I do from time to time.

    Just a man's take on a women's issue :)

    Bradley
    The Egel Nest

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  4. I totally agree. Like you, I was uncomfortable until my best friend was breastfeeding her first. I did not even consider it for myself until I was pregnant - then I changed my views. I only nursed each of my children for less than 2 months (various reasons) but I am still a BIG supporter and believe it is BEST.

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  5. Great Post. I had no idea about Bill Maher. That is really disappointing. I was only able to BF my children for about 3 months and it was important to me. It was awful when people would look at you like some odd-ball because you were over in the corner nursing your child (under a blanket-in the summer- mind you.

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  6. I hadn't checked out your blog before I saw your comment over at Cool Moms Rule (by the way, thanks for that!), but I really like what I am reading. I wish I had dropped by sooner. In fact, I'm so impressed that I just joined your community over at MyBlogLog. Keep up the great work!

    Thanks again,
    ~Viv
    http://coolmomsrule.blogspot.com

    ReplyDelete

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