Topic : 10/07 The Latest Debates

I tell new mothers all the time that b/f'ing indeed a learned act, not just for mother, but for baby as well. Yes babies gets it much quicker, but they are doing it for the first time as well;) 

Might I suggest nursing infront of a mirror, it will help you learn the best positions for when you are out in public! If you do not already have a nursing shirt, that too may make public nursing easier! 

If you live where the LLL have support meetings, that would be an awesome place to go and get great tips and to practice. Also, most health departments have a Breastfeeding specialist or a Breastfeeding Advocate Peer Counsoler avaliable. 

I agree with you, that Dr.Phil should do a more indepth show, with more education involved!!  

AND CONGRATS on your new baby!! Enjoy every moment. 

Mother to 6 wonderful children 

Are you asking why a nursing mother nurses for 30 mins? If so, a nursing mother 'normally' will nurse 15m on one side and 15m on the other. That is what most peds or LC's will recommend when you leave the hospital with your newborn. 

But it is not always the case. There are babies that will nurse upwards to 45mins at one feeding and then other who will only require a 10min feeding 'alot of time these babies (grazers) will feed more frequently' The other babies my feed less often.  

Now if you mean why do nursing babies take longer to feed, thats because the milk from a breast 'unlike a bottle' does not just drip out or flow with little or no sucking. The infant must 'work' to get milk from the breast. Again the amount of time will depend on how well the baby suckles 'and' how well the mothers let down reflux is. 

I am very sorry if I hit reply to the wrong message.  But as I read your reply, you have the perfect idea on breastfeeding!  You said that you TRY not to have to bf in public, and that is all that I am saying, if all women would try then it would not be a big deal.  But there are some women who just whip them out unconcerned of who is around.  It is just common courtesy.  Myself as a smoker, I do not do it around my children or in my home. Why?? Well my children have the right to a healthy life, I am the one that chooses to smoke, so I dont feel that they should have to smell it or be around it.  As for the rest of the world, I would do the same, if you dont want me to smoke in your present, I would not do it, out of respect for you....... Do you see what I am saying?  I would NEVER say "you cant do that!!", but I would hope that you had enough common courtesy to ask "does this make you uncomfortable?", I would politely say yes and excuse myself, if it was on option or if not then I would hope that you would be discreet or go into another room, and I dont mean a filthy restroom.   It is all about respect for others.  If I were in your home then I would not expect you to leave or hide yourself, I would give you the time and space that you needed with your child.  Just as if I was to stand on my porch and smoke, I would expect you to stay inside or give me my space.  I am using these two things to compare, because they are both issues, but I do realize that one is for a healthy reason and the other not so much but I think you get the idea... or I hope you kinda understand where I am coming from now.   

Oh, and sorry that I replied to the wrong message....so many messages on this discussion, I must have hit the wrong one!  :o) 

I'm a little frustrated at what the woman against breast feeding had to say.  She said that she doesn't find it "attractive" and that women shouldn't be walking around with themselves "explosed".  I breastfed both of my children and I didn't find anything "attractive" about it.  I would've prefered not to do it in public but I wasn't in control of it.  I did tried to be discrete but when you have a six month old baby that weighs 20 something pounds that is hot, they are going to move that blanket.  Also the point that "we" can go to the bathroom or car is almost out of the question.  Most of the time there are single bathrooms and there is a line and if you do get in a stall the smell is usually enough to wear a person down if you sit in there too long.  The car is either too hot or cold to sit in for the first 5 or 10 minutes. If we go to place that is private we have just missed our dinner, everyone is finished and ready to leave.   

I'm not knocking anyone that bottle feeds but shouldn't I have the same courtesy that I give them for their decisions.  The woman that stated earlier about her children are smarter than those that were breastfed, that's great but you have the right to think you're god and I have the right to choose what I think is appropriate for my child.  

The other comment about we are just trying to expose ourselves, is just outragous.  We're not pretending that we are in a topless bar trying to make ourselves sexual objects.  Just because "we" are mothers trying to do the right thing for our child, does that mean that "we" are outcast and should be in solitude?   

It is STUPID to compare "natural things" such as breast feeding to a man urinating in public or having sexual intercourse.  Breast feeding isn't a pleasure and we're not relieving ourselves, we are satisfying the craving of an infant.  The breast is a sexual object second, not even a real purpose, but feeding a child is the main purpose of the breast.  

Honey, if you would just take the time to READ all the debates on this topic you will find more than ONE person that seems to say "breastfed babies are smarter, healthier, etc...... "  I am very offended that you all are so aggresive towards the children here.  I have NOT once said that your children will grow up to be stupid, have cancer..etc..  I dont care what "facts" you have on breastfeeding.  My daughter was very ill when she was born.  She was in NICU for 1 week,  the doctors debated on whether or not she would need a serious surgery.  The doctors told me that it would be great if I breastfeed but she would still get what she needed if I chose not too.  I belivie that God has a plan for all of us, and to be honest, I dont think that anything you can do is going to stop you from getting cancer, heart disease, sick etc.  I have a right to my opinion as you do yours.  I am NOT saying that I am right and your wrong, I am just giving my opinion.  I am sorry that you all dont see that and cant understand that.  I am not here to argue with you or anyone else.  I am just giving the opinion of one person.   

Besides, why are you wasting your time on me and others that dont agree with breast feeding in public...your going to do it anyways!  

I dont mind breastfeeding in public if you can do it discretly...  It is all about respect.  I respect others by NOT smoking in there present.  I am 30 years old and have NEVER smoked in front of my parents.  It is just a respect issue for me.  JUst as i have never smoked in front of my children or in my home.  It is all about respecting others.   

Just as if I were in a public place I would NOT cuss in front of your children hoping that you would respect me enough to do the same.   

So all in all I am saying that I respect others and that is all that I would like in return.  THat is all that us people against it are saying... I am not comfortable with it, so respect me enough to be discreet or leave.  I dont mind leaving in some situations, but I would not leave my table at a restaurant for you to enjoy your meal while you breast feed.  I dont see the fairness in that.  Just as if I want to smoke after dinner, I would sit in smoking section..... 

What I find hilarious about breastfeeding mothers is that if there were a topless woman on television the mothers would pull their children away from the screen so they won't be subjected to that kind of thing yet it's okay for children to see a breast with a baby attached to it.  Is it just me or does that sound like a double-standard? 

Amanda