Topic : 10/07 The Latest Debates

I think that parents need to be in control of their children.  You need to discipline them when they are misbehaving.  I can't believe the woman on the show uses the excuse "there is only one of me, there are three of them".  That is a huge cop out.  Growing up my parents were divorced.  So when we were with one of them, there was only one of them.  There were six of us.  We had one boy and five girls, two sets of twins, and one child was handicapped.  My parents were in control of us at all times.  If we misbehaved we left where ever we were.  Like the woman on the show, and I have a sneaking suspicion all other parents are the same, my parents only had two arms.  They found a way to get us in to the store or restaurant and they found a way to get us out.  This is not acceptable in this day and age, but if we were naughty we would stay in the car.  I remember countless times we would be out or visiting someone and my parents would leave to take whoever was misbehaving home.  And that is where we would stay.  The lady on the show said if she stayed home every time her kids misbehaved she would never get to leave.  One word- BABYSITTER.  There were times when I was young that my mom and five siblings would go do something fun and I sat home with a babysitter.  And I deserved it.  And I learned from it.  Not discipling your children is doing them no favors.  This lady is one parent of a million who has more kids than she has arms, she does not deserve a medal she deserves a reality check.    

While reading your post, you had me agreeing and nodding my head...all the way up to the 3rd from the last line.  What on earth makes you such an expert as to say that?  When my daughter was born 15 years ago, mothers (especially new mothers) were made to feel like a failure if they didn't breastfeed.  So, wanting to be the best mother I could possibly be, I tried.  For 3 weeks I had a screaming, crying, totally upset baby attached to my chest.  I contacted the breastfeeding support group at the hospital where she was born, not once but numerous times and was told, every single time, NOT to supplement her with a bottle and to keep her on the breast only.  I remember sitting and rocking her at 3:00 a.m., tears running down my face, wondering how I could make this screaming object shut up.  Finally after 3 weeks I went back to MY doctor who immediately saw how horribly wrong everything was going and insisted that, for my physical and mental health as well as the health of my baby, I put her on formula.  It was like having a totally different child.  As soon as she got her tummy full she slept through the night and was a joy to have.  Preaching that "ignorance, stress and lack of support" is the cause of not enough milk is the most absurd statement I have ever heard.  My mother had 4 children over a period of 19 years.  She could have been a wet nurse with me and my sister; with both of the boys (who were born in the middle) she had NOTHING.  Needless to say when my son was born 3 1/2 years later, I vividly remembered the hell I went through and put him on formula immediately.  Both of my children are well adjusted, of well-above normal intelligence and are extremely loving, generous and kind.  I think if a woman enjoys the breastfeeding and is capable of providing for her child, it's a wonderful, precious thing.  But don't you dare make statements you are not capable of backing up, just to make yourself feel better.   

Michelle 

Bloomington, IN 

As a mother who chose not to breastfeed, I definitely feel that breastfeeding in public is not something I care to see. Special restrooms & mother areas were created so that the public would not have to see exposed breasts during their day to day life. These rooms offer the mother & baby a private area to not only address feedings, but to be intimate as well. I do not enjoy having an areola in my eyesight while I am eating lasagna, and I can't believe that it is that hard to cover yourself with a blanket if you have to do it in public. Thanks! 

"It takes a village to raise a child" I am tired of people acting like babies and children are a nuisance. Kids will be kids. If you don't like being around them, go home. Maybe this woman who can't control her kids needs some help and advice rather than being shunned or made to feel like a bad mom. I don't think it's right to tell a woman not to come to church with her 3 kids. That is a very uncaring attitude. Since when do we turn people away from worship? 

Maybe instead of saying I shouldn't have to deal with seeing your kids' misbehavior, you should go ask that mom if she wants some help, since you obviously seem to be better at discipline and control. 

Very often kids misbehave to get attention, if you give them attention and find out they want something, like their paci, blankie, bottle, or a hug, what is wrong with giving it to them so they'll calm down? A lot of people are actually afraid to interact with screaming babies and children on the idea that giving them attention will spoil them. But I have to say if your kid throws a fit or is destructive, redirect them in a calm manner. If you are calm your kids might calm down too. 

Firstly,  whether the American culture has sexualized breasts or not..it is still America..and if you prefer another culture..move!   

I read several posts that stated these women are breast feeding up and beyond ages2 and 3.  That is just ridiculous,  and mommy has issues! 

Also,  breastfeeding is only as healthy as the mother.  So,  if you are eating chips and drinking wine,  or taking aspirin,  eating anything but organic veggies..and all other foods less the pesticides and steroids found in most grocery store items..then you aren't doing ANY child ANY favors!  You are loading them up with carcinogens!  Breastmilk is an immune booster for only the first few hours after birth when the milk contains collostrum.  After that..your own health needs to be assessed for breastmilk to be beneficial to a child. 

And ladies..NOBODY wants to see your boobs unless you are dancing in a strip club.   

Again..this is America..love it or leave it! 

I love watching a breastfeeding mother/child pair.  I spontaneously smile at the bonded pair.  I become warmed with a nice, comfy, fuzzy feeling.  It's almost as if I can feel the love and nurturing the mamma and baby are sharing.  The feeling is natural and spontaneous.  I don't usually put much thought into it, but when I do think about it, the depth of my contentment grows.  I know that today's children are our future leaders.  Breastfeeding is a wonderful source of comfort, nurturing and security.  I find safety and security in the thought of my future leaders being adult children of nursing mothers.  We hear alot about adult children of disfunctional parents.  Let's spend some time thinking about adult children of breastfeeding mothers.   

I obtain even more comfort from breastfeeding research.  Science has demonstrated that breastfeeding is not only the best food for babies, it is also good preventive "medicine" for moms and babies and is associated with lower risks of disease for both babies and for mothers.  Many are aware of the reduced risks of childhood infections for the breastfed baby.  Few are aware that breastfeeding also is good for mamma's health.  Take breast cancer, for example.  Nursing drastically reduces the risk of premenapausal breast cancer.   

When I see breastfeeding in public, I see happy, secure children; I see healthier moms; and I see lower health care costs. 

Michelle Breen 

Illinois 

I'm from Quito, Ecuador  and I've lived here in the US for 6 years.  If people that feel 'offended' with mothers breast feeding in public places, they would have a heart attack if they were in my country.  There, it is not an issue at all.  

 I was very surprised when I heard that here in the State of Pennsylvania (where a recently moved to) it is not against the law ( that is a 'right') to breast feed in public, I wonder: why did they tell me that ?...  I never in my life though that it will be a crime, why should it be a right, it is just NORMAL.   

If it is so "irritating", it should be forbidden to wear short hot pants, tiny tops or low cut pants which show more women flesh than breast feeding, but nobody says anything (I particularly do not care at all).  I think breast feeding in public or anywhere responds to your baby's needs, you don't do it to annoy people.  And if people feel annoyed, there must be a personal problem somewhere in their past that makes them feel so angry about it.