Topic : 10/07 The Latest Debates

I wonder if the big question about breastfeeding is lack of knowledge?  I grew up in a non-breastfeeding home and was told all my life that it was wrong and that people that breastfed were not of our culture.  I have since found out that everything I was told was ridiculous!  I educated myself about breastfeeding and happily breastfed my child until he was two years old.  I realized that we are animals, yes animals and animals feed their young. (Bottle or not)  I belong to two non-profit organizations that promote breastfeeding and also help educate the importance of breastfeeding.  I urge that anyone that is feeling uncomfortable would educate themselves before saying "it's gross and disgusting". The woman that was on Dr. Phil's show today should have come up with better analogies to the reason breastfeeding was so disgusting.

So, basically you are saying that because some people are uncomfortable with breastfeeding, mothers should not do it in public.  You are apparently SO worried with what other people think that you let it influence your opinions.  If you are putting your nephew in the middle of this debate, your family is wrong not the mother who breastfeeds her baby.  If you don't like it, don't watch it. 

What is the problem with pumping and putting it into a bottle? 

  

As far as closing eyes or not looking, give me a break! I have seen women bare the boob, and I do mean BARE it, and their attitude is they really don't give a horses patootie if anyone is offended or not.  These same women are the ones that screamed bloody murder with the Janet Jackson fiasco. Neither one is attractive. Bare boobs are bare boobs.  

  Same here,  I've tried to give my son a bottle but he will not take it. I don't really blame him.....something rubbery and uncomfortable, or something warm and comforting.

I don't think there is anything wrong with breastfeeding in public as long as you do it in a polite way and not embarress anyone around you.  I once had a lady make a comment to me about breastfeeding my baby in public.  She actually said to her husband.  Why doesn't she go do that in the bathroom.  My response to her was Do you eat your lunch in the bathroom?  She just walked away. I am 26 years old and have a 3,4, and 6 year old and I breastfed all of my kids for over a year.  I think that it is just natural and people need to get over it because its not going to stop anyone from doing it.

  

  

I don't think condoms should be handed out in schools... I really think parents should be responsible for the teaching of sex education.  I also think that a condom could quite possibly save a childs life if they choose to have sex but, parents or doctors even should be the ones to hand them out.  Birth control pills have to be given from a doctor why not condoms? 

I breastfed 5 children anywhere from 2 months to 2 1/2 years each. They are now 20, 18, 16, 8 and 5. I was one who said I would never breastfeed a child for more than a year. Shouldn't have said that, my next child nursed for 2 1/2 years and finally my husband had to step in and help me wean her... 

Anyway, I did nurse in public, but I was always conceous of others feelings and the appropriateness of where I was. If I was arround people that would be very nervous around me, I was aware of that and would either wait or go somewhere else. I have nursed babies at sea world, at craft fairs, in others homes, in resteraunts... But, never if I thought that someone would be offended by it, or in a way that anyone could see my breats.  

There is a thing called.... modesty.... does anyone know this word anymore? 

   

  I think Dr. Phil missed a golden opportunity to suggest another option for children and people of all ages in public.  Positive feed back.  My husband and I have raised two daughters and now enjoy for the most part watching young families out and about.  We are still young - 44 and 46 years old.  We had a home daycare while our children were young.  We used positive reinforcement and had relatively few behavioral problems.  Occasionally when we are out and see a family with kids at a restaurant or any where in public behaving great, we compliment them.  We are met with smiles.  Recently we were at a small family pizza place and watched a young father with 3 children - one was an infant, one 2 1/2 and one 4.  He was so intentive with them.  We complimented him and the kids on our way out.  The kids were so excited to tell us their ages.  The father was just super.   

  

Maybe it's just me - but a compliment when I had 8 kids at McDonalds playland was like a great big hug that lasted the rest of the day.  Just a thought. 

  

Autumnite 

I  whole heartedly believe that  women who  breast feed in public should  be allowed  though  it is nice on the moms  part to  use a throw to cover  but those who don't like  seeing something should get a grip and look  elsewhere as humans we can  see alot more then  just one  direction. there is nothing wrong with  breastfeeding though i  for one didn't breastfeed but that was my choice.