Topic : 10/07 The Latest Debates

I happily breastfed my daughter for 2 1/2 years, and my son for just over 2 years (with teeth)  it is reccomended that you breastfeed a child for the first 2 years of life now... so show me a child at 2 with no teeth.  they both self weaned.  I nursed in public anytime anywhere.  I didn't always have a cover with me... (emergencies happen)  however I usually had my sling with me or a blanket etc.    

I couldn't imagine feeding my child in a public restroom... for those of you that have suggested that then next time you go out to eat why don't you try having your entire meal in the restroom so that mother's who are nursing can feel comfortable about not having to watch you eat.  I usually found a quiet corner or area that I could sit with my child and nurse comfortbly and calmly.  if you want a mother to nurse out of site then promote mother's rooms in the malls and restaurants throughout North America... don't banish them to the bathroom unless you would want to eat there yourself.  I agree that there are special clothing for nursing mothers and there are slings and much more that you can get.  I got a LOT of my items (nursing shirts and slings) from www.kidswap.ca most of which were gently used by other mom's before me.   

Breastmilk is made for babies,  don't deny them of their right to eat in public.  just as it is your right to eat in public too. 

Dr. Phil had said something very interesting that sparked a thought.  Dr. Phil spoke of the pros and cons of teaching kids about sex and handing out condoms… It was clear that the ideal solution would be to successfully teach abstinence, but this is a difficult task.  The conversation proceeded into suggesting that perhaps the parents needed to be educated! 

What if you taught the kids parenting? What if you coached the kids on the topic from the point of view as a future parent? 

What I mean is what if you start the sex-education class by explaining to them that one day they will have kids, and openly discuss the dilemma of teaching sex education and the controversy over handing condoms out.  Involve them, interact with them, get their thoughts on the matter and get them in the mode of thinking, “yea, this is a complicated topic I would need to figure out when coaching my kids one day” 

Sometimes when kids are being told about the many bad things they can get themselves into, it makes it into an issue they are facing now and an issue they should feel mixed up in… This might lead to either bad decisions or deliberately defiant decisions. 

I don’t know if it would work, but I really think that it might empower them, and feel like they can stand outside of the problem and control it.  Perhaps it will give them a more mature approach to thinking about it and dealing with it.  I know you wouldn’t want to separate them from it too much, but it is a thought…. Who knows?  I’m no physiologist, but maybe someone more qualified could comment on how they think this would work? 

Breastfeeding should be done whenever or whereever the person feels it needs to be done. I breastfeed my third child almost anywhere but I used a cover. Not everybody feels comfortable with that but for some reason we are focusing in this but we seem to be "OK" with the way we dress now a days. Most of the clothing are with so much cleavage and even with most of the breasts sticking out of the clothing. So why is that "OK" and brestfeeding seems not to be good in public? That is something we as humas have to focus on. Now, the way the world is, people say and do things in public that should not be done or said. So even if we all try to think about other people if we do that we would not be able to do anything because now a days everything that you do could be offending somebody around you. This is not why we are here and this is not our purpose. So be happy that there are stiil people that are using breast for the right purpose. God Bless, Sandra M. 

Maybe I shouldnt bring my baby out at all in case someone that has lost a baby or cant have them is "hurt" because I can have them.  im all for sensativity but if I took EVERYONES feeling into consideration i could never accomplish anything.  Thats rediculous! 

 I think it is rediculous how the lady on the show saying that condoms shouldn't be handed out in school said that kids will be influenced by the condoms to have sex.  First of all, as a YOUNG ADULT, graduating high school i completely disagree. First of all, high school students aren't children, or kids or whatever you like to call them, WE are YOUNG ADULTS.  Taking into consideration that we aren't little kids, I'd like it to be known that we aren't influenced by everything we see.  Condoms are available to us even if they aren't available in school.  Sex education is a program that ALL schools should have because it teaches students the consiquences that can come from engaging in sexual activites.  Just because a condom is available, doesn't mean someone is going to use it.  People aren't going to throw away their virginity because condoms are available.  I think condoms are a postivite aspect of sex education that needs to be taught.  PEOPLE ARE GOING TO HAVE SEX even if abstinance is shoved down their throat, and having condoms available are what is going to help keep them safe.  HAVING CONDOMS AVAILABLE ISNT GOING TO MAKE SOMEONE HAVE SEX.  Having sex is a choice, and it is positive for all people to know how to be safe.  Highschool students watch TV, condom commercials are on daily, there are messages everywhere saying to be safe, so even if you take condoms out of schools and stop teaching about them, people are still goign to see condoms and know about them. Why wouldnt you want people to be educated to be safe???  

How sad is it that our state and national senators and representaives have to pass legislation to give infants the right to receive optimal nutrition.  A female body starts developing the structures for breastfeeding in puberty and colostrum (early breastmilk) is being made by the time a pregancy is 16 weeks along.  Breastfeeding is part of the natural continuation of the pregnancy/childbirth/breastfeeding process.  

The formula companies are always trying to create a  formula that is "closest to mother's milk".   Why feed an infant a substandard food? 

If Shelly is embarrssed to see an infant eating the way nature intended, perhaps she could cover her head with a blanket while she is eating in the restaurant or she could take her meal into the ladies room so she will not be disturbed by what is going on around her. 

When celebrities such as Barbara Walters make public statements that reflect negatively about breastfeeding or national shows present the right to breastfeed as a debatable issue, it makes it harder for young women to feel comfortable about their decision to breastfeed.   

It is ultimately mother's and infant's right how that infant is fed.  Breastfeeding deserves an amendment to the constitution to protect every infant's right to optimal nutrtion.  I may not agree with other opinions about breastfeeding but I will protect your right to voice them. 

Parents do need support, not judgment.   

Why is it accepted in other countries to breastfeed your child no matter where you are or what you are doing, yet here in our "enlightened" country it is deemed as something "sexual" because the breast may be glimpsed.  God gave us our breasts and the milk ducts included in order to nourish our children both nutritionally and emotionally!  Hold your children, love, hug and nourish your child.  No matter if you choose to breastfeed or bottle feed, all that matters is loving and giving the child what it needs.  If you do not like what you see, look the other way.   

What if you started being "banned" for your race, creed, or color?  Would that be OK?  NOPE!  Who then has the right to ask for "bans" due to something that is as natural as the color of your skin. 

AMEN for the courage for that woman to stand up and say "HEY START PARENTING YOUR CHILDREN!" to this woman who is making excuses for not being "able" to parent her children....
I get so sick of parents being completely absent to their children....
This woman is sitting here saying how she can not handle her kids and then gloats about being PREGNANT!!! OUTRAGEOUS!!!! 

Dont get me wrong, I have children...so I know! They are overwhelming....even to the point of insanity at times but I too, as a parent, am sick of watching incompetent parents letting their children run rampant in public!

My personal vent: I was in JC Pennys the other day with my child in a stroller walking by the UP escalator and there was this small child (16 month maybe) stumbling her way to the escalator....at the same moment a JC Penny associate yelled and pointed to bring my attention to this situation (as if this was my child and I was not paying attention) so I grabbed this small girl and pulled her away from the dangerous escalator. I was standing there with the JC Penny associate for at least 3 minutes explaining that this is not my child and how I came to find this situation....I did not want to move away from where I found the child....about 4 minutes after I found the child her mother comes from around the corner holding numerous clothing items in her hands and said "Oh, thanks so much for grabbing her, I had my hands full!" and THEN she went back to SHOPPING!!!! ignoring the fact that I, a complete stranger, was holding her small daughter! I had to ask her to put her things down to take her child and she sounded irritated that I would not just put her back down on the ground even after I explained everything that happend!!!

Sometimes I am amazed that people are allowed to keep their children! I did not, for fear of retaliation, say anything to this woman about her lack of parenting skills however the quite verbal JC Penny associate did that for me. I feel very guilty that I did not say anything.