Topic : 10/07 The Latest Debates

I believe that every woman has the right to breastfeed her child, and I don't think it would be right to 'place them' in the bathroom nor in their cars. BUT I do believe that women can be discreet and cover up their breasts while feeding their children in public. I hope to be a mother some day and I DO plan on breastfeeding, but I will cover up while in public and in areas where children may be present and try to have respect for those around me and their sensibilities. THEN, if somebody wants to say something, AFTER you've tried to cover yourself as much as possible, you can tell them to stick it. Compromise!

Breastfeeding is as natural as sex.  I wouldn't let my husband demand that I remove my clothing in public because he was "in the mood".  Discretion avoids embarrassment for other children who are not exposed to this as well as adults who do not feel comfortable seeing a woman expose herself in public, no matter what the reason is that she is doing it! 

 This country expends too much energy on things that are frankly not that important. We have children that ar e being abuse. Adults who cannot afford health insurance. Not to mention war and a declining economy. Why do other people care. We are very anal in this country over our bodies and this is not  a healthy thing.

I breast feed in public, I was discreet but that is not always good enough for the people around. Breast should not offend people. No one women should ever be critize for this. I seen people tell mothers that there are men and boys around they should do it. To me that puts a sexual stigma on it. If my sons witness a woman breatfeeding I explain it to them.

It seems to me that the woman who had so much of a problem with the breastfeeding may have a deeper problem within herself.

I have breastfed three children.  I was never comfortable breastfeeding in public because I did not want to have to deal with the rude people telling me it was inappropriate to feed my child in public.  If you are offended by a breastfeeding mother doing so in public TURN YOUR FLIPPIN HEAD!!!  Nobody says you have to WATCH the baby eat!  How about this:  If you are offended by bald(ing) men/women should they be required to wear a hairpiece in public?  If you are offended by people with multi-color hair should that be outlawed?  How about I am offended by watching you eat with your mouth wide open and talking and I approach you and tell you YOU SHOULD GO DO THAT IN THE BATHROOM?   Do you have no sense of what is and what is not appropriate in public?  Should I not kiss my husband in public?  Should I not tell my children I love them in public?  Guess what, by breastfeeding your own child, no matter the location--public/private, you are letting them know you love them.    

  

As far as I am concerned, if you are offended by seeing a child, a poor innocent HUNGRY INFANT eat.....Then just DON'T WATCH! 

I feel breastfeeding in public is a good thing.  I am a breastfeeding mother who did not feed in public because of people who think it is indecent and it is very rare for decent facilities to be provided to go breastfeed.  I refused to feed my daughter in public restrooms as it is disgusting.  I would have covered up except she would always play with the covering and end up exposing me anyway.  Mothers have a right to go out in the world and feed their babies.

C'mon people..why would someone think it would be acceptable to just let it all hang out?  As a mother of a 4 year old...I do not want to have to explain to him about why a baby is hanging off of a ladys body in the food court of the mall!  Why would it be so hard to move to another table in the corner?  No, I am not a prude.  No, I did not breastfeed..it was my choice.  No, I am not ashamed of the human body...it is just not something that needs to be dealt with....again, as stated during the show...would these women think it would be acceptable for a man to "Whip it out" in public?    or a teacher "whipping it out" to pump during school?  Do you know what we lack as a society?  MORALS!    Breastfeeding has been happening since the beginning of time...why were there not these questions 20 years ago?  HAVE RESPECT FOR YOURSELF AND FOR OTHERS AROUND YOU...WE TEACH THIS TO OUR CHILDREN...MAYBE THESE WOMEN MISSED OUT ON THESE IMPORTANT VALUES.  Thank you.

We live in such a sick society. Why is it that we feel that our breasts are something to be ashamed of? Because of our over-sexualized culture. We live in a culture where women are sexual objects to be used and tossed out. And WAY too many women just sit back and accept that. But it's wrong. Our bodies are amazing! We are able to grow life in our bellies. We are equipped to sustain the lives of our children with our breasts. Our hips provide an easy way to carry them. And our neck and shoulders are the perfect place for our babies to cuddle for comfort.

And for those who would criticize extended breastfeeding... there is a lot of research done on this issue. The AAP (American Academy of Pediatrics) has stated that breastmilk is an amazing source of nutrition throughout a child's toddler years. Nothing happens when a child turns one that suddenly makes them lose their need for breastmilk.

We are made to nurture our children!

But for some reason, people think it's creepy when my best friend's toddler tries to nurse her babydoll. I think it's amazing! I think it's a well-balanced child who has just begun to realize how nurturing her mom was with her, and is with her siblings.

It just sickens my heart to hear women decide not to breastfeed their babies because they are "grossed out" by it. How sad! Our cuture has so twisted our own view of our bodies in such a way that we no longer see what we really are! I for one proudly nurse my daughter when she is hungry.

The sexualization of America has become so  perverse that we expect our teenagers to be overcome by their hormones. We've decided that since we can't stop it, we might as well contribute to it. The problem with teen sex really comes down to the degredation of the family. Our family units have been so badly splintered that kids aren't getting the guidance they need from their parents as they grow. And so we have asked the schools to step in and teach our children about their sexuality.

Here's where that system fails: Sex is about more than the facts of life. There is an emotional and spiritual side to sex. The schools cannot possibly teach that. They can't teach morals or spirituality. They can barely even say the word Christmas during the holidays anymore. But proper sex education includes morals and emotions.

The schools are doing the best they can... and the best they can do is pass out condoms in the hope that an immature teen will somehow be able to at least protect themselves as they choose a wrong path.

Hopefully, we can train our children in such a way, that they will refuse to accept condoms from the school, knowing that they don't intend to become intimate with someone until they have chosen their partner for life.

But it is my child. Her care and discipline are in my hands. Even the most well-behaved child is bound to have a meltdown in a store or restaurant. It is the parents' duty to deal with that situation appropriately, an comments are not needed from bystanders who don't know as much as they think they do. As a parent, my responsibility is to set my child up to win. I should try to avoid naptimes and meal times when choosing the time to run my errands. I should also talk to my child about what kind of behavior I expect from them when we are in public.

As a bystander, it is my responsibility to offer nothing but supportive smiles for a mother who is dealing with a child in meltdown. To stay out of her way and mind my own business as she deals with her little one.

As far as breastfeeding goes I totally agree w/ the mother on the show...  It's not my right to do it, it is my child's right to eat.  And most of the time, I know it was for me, it is more embarrassing for the mother than it is for the people that are watching (and if you don't like it why are you watching anyways).  Breastfeeding is the best for the child who really cares what anyone, who doesn't believe it is right, thinks.  It's all about the health and well being of my child. 

  

As far as condoms in schools, I do agree that the parents should be teaching the children about sex, but lets face it our kids don't always want our advice and furthermore if a teenager can get something for free and discretely what is so wrong with that.  How many people out there have kids that will come and say "Mom I need some money so I can go buy condoms."  I don't know a single kid that would do that.  So if they feel comfortable going to someone at school and say that I would be grateful that there is someone there to help them.  Let's face it kids are having sex earlier and earlier as time goes by.  And if they can be protected from any disease and early pregnancy the help is appreciated. 

        
 Okay first on the issue of breastfeeding in public, i am surprised that no one mentioned the fact that the entire breast is not exposed like in a titty bar. I have seen people breastfeed who do not use a blanket or anything and it is still discrete. The most people might see is part of the top or sides. Heck we see that in bathing suits and low cut tops. People are used to seeing the breast as a sexual thing only and forget that the breast is a beautiful part of our bodies. WIC has a hard time promoting bf because of people reactions to it, and it scares the mothers to think about it. The only way i can see someone having a problem with it is if they just sit there and stare. which if they are doing that then they dont really have problem do they?
As for passing out condoms in school, yes it brings the possibility for kids to try sex, but you know what they're goin to anyways at some point in time. why not give them a chance to protect themselves. A lot of kids may want to use condoms but are too embarrased to buy them. this way they are armed. we teach sex ed in school so why not about the equipment. Again it seems like America is afraid of the sex topic in general. We have been taught that it is degrading and dirty. It is a natural and beautiful thing. yet we treat it like it is only about xxx movies and mags.
when it comes to disciplining kids in public, i feel it is good to at least speak up and get the kids attention to what they are doing wrong. kids act they way they do because they feel like no one will catch them. I am not saying that you should determine the punishment, but saying something to the kids lets them know that they should watch what they are doing. not to mention this day and age we all get distracted and cant always see what is going on from every angle, so it protects the kids. Dont yell but dont be afraid to speak up. It might just save a kids life. We try to develop a sense of community and yet we stick to our own, and dont want to get involved unless it is some major tragedy.

My opinion on the breast feeding.....it is o.k. to breast feed in public but as Dr. Phill said respect the people around you by covering up nobody said to stop breast feeding but there are alternative ways of feeding the child......remember the breast milk is what the child wants not the breast. Using breast is a way of bonding but honestly bonding can be done at home.  That is why breast pumps exist you pre-pump...and you take the bottles with you.  and if you don't have time..then you use a blanket...the key is here IS THE RESPECT FOR OTHERS FACTOR............... 

 

And about the condoms I have only one paragraph to say.................... 

 

I am 27 years old...believe me if your child is going to have sex and you say no THEY ARE GOING TO FIND A WAY REGARDLESS!!!!!!!!!!!!.........I grew up in a strict household and I didn't start until I was 18 but I was concentrated on track but only by my influence my mother didn't have nothing to do with it!!!!  For one... you should speak about sex as young as possible this is 2005!!! sex is everywhere. And if it isn't handed out in the school THE CHILD IS GOING TO GET THE CONDOM FROM A FRIEND......Believe me if they are going to have sex.....it is going to happen!!!!