Replies to '10/07 The Latest Debates'

Well, here's the thing; i don't watch TV so it doesn't much matter what show he made for me to watch... Are you saying that just because you were asked to be on the Dr. Phil show you have to have intelligence? WRONG! You need an opposing opinion and you need to be somewhat well-spoken... 

You said AND I QUOTE: "Feeding your child is not appropriate anywhere."  

That statement was proof of your intelligence, I suppose? 

Can't feed them anywhere, huh? At home I suppose you could be walking by and happen to see someone sitting on the couch feeding her child... Heaven forbid... 

Its not always appropriate to feed your child or its not always appropriate to BREAST feed your child?  Breastfeeding is the best form of nutrition for a child so how can it ever be inappropriate?  Your only argument is that it is "unattractive."  Well I found your two- toned hair to be unattractive but, hey, its YOUR hair so I don't give a darn what you do with it!  It certainly isn't harming me.   

Isn't that exactly what you are doing??  Imposing your opinion on others?  It IS our right to breastfeed our children the law in most states says so.  Or did you forget that minor fact.    

I understand that you don't have children.  Many many things change when you become a parent.  Your own well being isn't as important anymore, what you wear, what you eat, where you go is no longer about you.  As a parent you have been intrusted with the life of a helpless and completely dependent human.  It is a HUGE responsibility and one that I take very seriously.  I cannot fathome the idea of letting my child go hungry or be uncomfortable in any way in order to appease the sensibilities of someone I don't even know.  Especially when I can meet her needs right then and there.   

I understand the discomfort others feel, I feel so sorry for them.  It does matter to me, that is why I do try to be discreet.  I wear clothing made for nursing, I choose a table that is in the back of the resturant away from most of the people.  I face the wall or sit on the other side of my husband.  I have nursed my children in so many different public places and never ONCE had a negative comment or disapproving look.   You do have a right to your opinion, our laws also guaruntee that, however your opinion is in the minority.  92% of Dr. Phil's veiwers agree with me and with the law that mothers have the right to feed their children in public.   

I am sorry that you "don't find it attractive".  But, as others have said it isn't about attractive, its about nutrition.  I am sorry that you are not compassionate enough to understand the needs of little babies, but then you have never held your newborn in your arms and seen the look of total reliance in her eyes.  I am sorry that you are not at peace with your own body and the basic biological function of the human breast.  If you were you could understand where our side is coming from.  But that wouldn't have made for a very good show and ratings would have suffered. 

Wishing you enough.. 

N~ 

Hey Inurdreams, great comments!  You have guts, girl!  You are so right.  When I'm in a restaurant, I am entertained by my company.  I never look around to see what others are doing, wearing, etc. 

Anyway, it really doesn't matter what Shelly thinks.  Let her think (if that's what she actually does) what she wants because she can't stop us!  The breasts have the power!!!!!!!!! 

"Questioning your intelligence" .............. 

is what others must be doing b/c an intelligent decision about breastfeeding is to DO IT.!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! 

All of the information is out there. It is people like you that try to start trouble for everyone else that makes it difficult. 

I must say, this debate could go on forever. And it probably will. BUT there will ALWAYS be breastfeeding. Hell, what was there before bottles were invented? Hmmmmm.............. 

Whoopty Doo....you were on Dr Phil. BIG DEAL. 

Get over yourself already!!!!! 

Shellee, 

I want to start out by saying that I just want to understand where you are coming from. 

I have read several of you quotes..in all honesty your argument is hard to understand. You seem to be all over the place and your argument is getting clouded with defensiveness and I want to understand it.  You say you didn't ban people to the bathroomyou though you did say "It can still be natural in the bathroom or in your car," says Shelly. SO why the comment? Of course you are going to get jumped on for that...it's just semantics. Then it turnes into a bathroom sanitary issue. No a breast doesn't become unsanitary just by walking in the bathroom..semantics...but thats not the issue...its having to sit in a stall and feed a baby with toilets flushing. Lets face it eating and toilets don't mix for anyone (babies or adults). 

Then you say . "It’s not attractive"..I still don't understand what you mean by that. There are several things people do that are unattractive. Women are not trying to be attractive by breast feeding. Don't get me wrong I know we see an edited version of the show...but I am still baffled by that. I can understand uncomfortable but not unattractive. 

You also say "I am not against breastfeeding"  and would just like to see compromise....but then say. 

 "My mother taught me to keep my top on public" (they are not strippers) 

"If your child is clever enough to eat your breastmilk with silverware like an adult, by all means"  

"The fries are still served on a plate, or something, not on someones bare chest" (sounds uncomfortable with breast feeding in general) 

I know you are taking a lot of heat on this topic..however...these comments cloud your point. It seems like you have spent so much time arguing semantics instead of making your point clear. 

I am just trying to understand what exactly it is that bothers you. You said you are pro-breast feeding..and okay with descresion. So if you were in a resteraunt and a woman was discreatly breast feeding her baby...would that bother you? Are you uncomfortable with the idea of a baby drinking from a mothers breast? (If you are I am not saying that's wrong...your entitled to you own comfort level) 

Don't get me wrong...I understand people are umcomfortable with it...I nursed my babies and at family get togethers I excused myself to nurse. I know that nursing in the group would have made my older relatives...as well as younger ones uncomfortable. And I was fine with that, Their uncomfort made me uncomfortable. AS far as in public goes...its tough. Its not as easy to pump ahead etc...as people think. I always covered and would never intentionally flash my boobs to anyone. ANd honestly...I personally am not comfortable nuring in a resteraunt (I did it once) because everyone gawked and stared at me...making me more uncomfortable and had a harder time doing it..I am not comfortable nursing in the bathroom...its gross..with people pooing and peeing right around you...flushing...I only did that once. Ive done it in my car and people have actually gawked in the windows.  

For me..I have have always practiced dicrestion..and still people had provided looks to the point of being rude.. etc. So if you can try to understand...sometimse you just have to feed your baby in awkward situations...and with the comments and looks breastfeeding moms get...they are bound to get to the point that they just can't worry about everyone else all the time and have to tend to a hungry baby. 

I have breastfed, bottle fed, pumped etc..so I get it.  

I just want to understant what it is that bothers you...so I can understand. I think everyone was hung up on unattracive and the bathroom reference.