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Topic : 10/07 The Latest Debates

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Created on : Friday, September 30, 2005, 03:40:18 pm
Author : DrPhilBoard1

Dr. Phil and his guests strike up heated conversations as they debate the latest hot topics. Should women give up their right to breastfeed their babies in public so other people don't feel uncomfortable? Will passing out condoms in schools prevent unwanted pregnancies or just send the message to kids that it's OK to have sex? And, is it acceptable for others to discipline your kids if they see them acting out in public, or should they just mind their own business? Dr. Phil weighs in on these controversial subjects. Share your thoughts, join the discussion.

 

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October 8, 2005, 3:01 pm PDT

Breastfeeding with boys around

Quote From: shawrae

I agree with this one.  It seems to shock people. and their behavior changes, and people get quiet.  The whole environment seems to be interupted.  Males and younger males dont need to see that.  Maybe if it was their own wife.  Or kids that are around.  They dont need to see something like that either.  Children are curious enough, they dont need to ask 100 questions about "what is she doing?" and things like that.  And i see all these people say " my child is hungry, im going to feed them!!!!!!"   Well, i know there is other means when you go into public.  Its called a breast pump.  Pump when your going out for a period of time.  And stick a bottle in their mouth, instead.  Use your home space and quiet time for the bonding of breast feeding.  And you dont have to go to a bathroom , a nasty bathroom to BF, maybe your car or something..ha ha.......I dont know.  Or just cover up better.  LOL
I am a mother of 3 children, one being a BOY.  When a BOY is raised around a breastfeeding child, it doesn't have to be explained as to what the woman is doing.  My son thinks nothing of me breastfeeding his little sister, because he knows that is how she eats.  That is her food.  It is nothing to "explain".  It is a Mom feeding her baby.  Why should I have to pump to make you happy.  That isn't my job.  My job is being the best mother I can be, and raising my kids to be comfortable in all kinds of situations, including b/f mothers.  My children are raised not to be judgmental of other people.  Maybe it is what is not being said, that bothers your sons more, than an explaination.  Just like overweight people, or mentally hanicapped people.  Do you not explain these to your children.  Why make a big deal out of a breastfeeding mother, if you don't make big deals out of other situations.  If you don't make a big deal out of it, your children won't make a big deal out if.  The MORE your children are given knowledge, the less curious they will be.  Knowledge is power, not judgement.   P.S. what do you suggest when a baby won't take a bottle?  My daughter just absolutely refuses.  It has a funny taste to her, and she won't take it.  I won't be SHAMED into going outside to my car, (where by the way people can still see in your car, and aren't happy), or having to make other people happy.  My goal is to raise happy healthy children, who understand that breastfeeding is natural for a mother to do with her child.  Don't explain, empower your children with knowledge.
 

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October 8, 2005, 3:03 pm PDT

10/07 The Latest Debates

Quote From: shellyee

I am never giving birth. Don't assume so much.
Back off of Shellyee, she has her opinion!  I agree with her, and yes i have given birth 3 seperate times to be exact.  That doesnt mean that I love my children any less, just means that I dont want to breast feed!
 
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October 8, 2005, 3:06 pm PDT

10/07 The Latest Debates

Quote From: llimom

I live in FL and every year for bike weeks we have to deal with Biker babes riding around on the back of their boyfriends bike with their top off and showing off their boobs to the world if you want to get mad about indecency do something about that or about Hollywood who can't seem to make a movie with out showing someones bust. Leave the breast Feeding Moms alone who are Doing the best thing for their babies.  Don't look if it bothers you and be thankful some one feed you when you were a baby hopefully not in a bathroom either.

The I guess the same goes for the "biker babes".  If you don't like seeing them flash themselves then look away.  It goes both ways.  People shouldn't have to bend over backwards for mothers. 

  

Amanda 

 
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October 8, 2005, 3:07 pm PDT

Hey

Quote From: tmahatcher

I breastfed my son until he was four with the doctors blessings and he is as independent as my other four children who were not breastfed as long. cicumstances and children differ and how could you possible know whats right for another parent, child, or family- don't judge others
I was in agreement with breastfeeding as long as you and the child want.  I was talking to the person who seemed to be an expert on when one should wean.  I applaud your giving to your son as long as he needed.  Maybe you werent talking to me...but I wanted to clarify. 
 
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October 8, 2005, 3:08 pm PDT

10/07 The Latest Debates

Quote From: shellyee

That is what we call a BINGO! Telling me that someone like you can't fathom someone would actually make a choice NOT to have children. Yet, you have no idea what my reasons are. Telling me I must be jealous got a giggle, because that is the only thing someone like you can think of. You can not actually concieve that there are woman (thousands of us) who never want children and certainly NEVER want to breastfeed. But you have no way of understanding that do you? To you means that no one loves us (despite our marriages or relationships), and no one would ever touch us (did ever dawn on your predjudice little mind that some people are gay)? Nope, all you can think is that if someone isn't exactly like you that they must be "less than" or "not worthy" somehow. Thus, my point about not showing other people any respect. You have illustrated my point perfectly. 

  

If you can show where I said you must eat in the restroom, please show me. I am not surprised you missed my point about the pants. It was about common consideration for others. I don't think you have any. Good day.  

Oh man... I knew you were childfree. That's cool. Having kids is a big decision and some people want it, and some don't. That's cool and I swear on my life that I've never bingo'd anyone in my entire life... my maid of honor is childfree. That's your right as a woman to make that choice and I applaud you for it. 

  

Look, I don't argue when people get offended at a woman changing her kids diaper in a resturant, or a food court, or a park bench. I think that's gross and inappropriate. But breastfeeding never shows more skin than the shirt you were wearing on the show... I swear. The same way you have the right to not breed, we have the right to do what's best for ourselves and our children. And... if you think of it from a medical point of view, a breastfed kid will cost you less money out of your taxes as in its lifespan it will statistically cost way less in terms of medical bills. Breastfeeding is good for socioeconomics. 

 
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October 8, 2005, 3:08 pm PDT

10/07 The Latest Debates

Quote From: lettiecs

To breast feed, or to bottle feed is a personal decision. Each woman is her own expert. Neither choice is wrong! 

My experiences may not be your experiences, just like each birth experience is unique. 

 

I bottle fed my 3 babies after researching all the facts. I never had a child with ear infections, gastro intestinal difficulties, problems with scheduling(each of my children put themselves on feeding schedules),or  trouble with going to sleep or staying asleep. 

 

I never had trouble bonding with my children.I did not have babies with oral thrush or yeast infections. My children had regular bowel movements. They were very healthy babies and my oldest are healthy adults.  My youngest is 8, and is also very healthy. My children are all very smart and have been advanced in school by an average of 2 years. 

 

These are MY experiences as a mom who chose to bottle feed. Your experiences, may be similar to mine, or very different. My experiences don't make me the expert on how to feed babies, except with my own children. Each mom needs to decide what is best for her BABY and not what she wants for herself.  

 

I read a message which stated that milk comes in as soon as a child is born. Again, each woman is different and that was not my experience. My breasts were engorged when I was only 4 months pregnant with my first child. I woke up soaking wet one morning, and there after during the entire pregnancy. I did not have milk with my second child--not at all. And when my 3rd child was born, milk was not produced for 6 days after the birth. So even had I wanted to breastfeed, it would have been impossible.  

 

I believe in discretionary breastfeeding in contrast to nondiscretionary breastfeeding. To men, breasts ARE sex objects. They may look at a breast with a baby attached and wishing all the while that he was on that breast. With all the sex crimes against women and children in our society, why would anyone want be immodest while feeding a baby?  

 

Should a woman be stuck in a restroom or a car to breastfeed? Absolutely not. Most women know how to nurse a baby without drawing undue attention to her private parts.  

 

 

 

 I agree I do think it is up to each mother on whether to breast feed or not. I enjoyed breast feeding mine. I do cover up and think thats just rude not to. I have friends who do cover and friends who dont and it makes me uncomfortable when they dont in public. I dont care if its a room full of women but on the beach or a bench in the mall. I cant imagine what other people who dont know them are thinking. Just use common sense and dont flash. It  is a babies right to eat but there are many ways to do it. Some restrooms even have nursing rooms which you dont have to cover up, maybe more places should have these.
 

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October 8, 2005, 3:11 pm PDT

10/07 The Latest Debates

Quote From: rodell

You should watch the tape.  You did say that nursing mothers should go to the bathroom or to the car and you did make a comment about wiping our breasts on the toilet seat before putting it in the child's mouth.  I have 3 children and breastfed all of them and in public and most of the time when we were in a restaurant, people had no clue what was going on.  It is only an issue if you make it one!!!!
Back off Shellyee!  She has her opinion just like I have mine, you have yours and so on!  I agree 100% with Shellyee, I think that you should NOT do this in public.  If one of kids had to go to the restroom so bad they were screaming and crying, would it offend you if I let them use the restroom on the floor right next to you while your eating your dinner???  Is that ok?  I mean I am taking care of my childs needs...isnt that what you breastfeeding moms keep saying, "We just taking care of our children!"  So are we!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
 
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October 8, 2005, 3:12 pm PDT

breastfeeding in public

Quote From: heather175

Both of my children were bottle fed and certainly not because of "lifestyle" issues. I had to because I could not express milk from my breast. Therefore my children would have starved had they not been fed formula. Let me also say that they are and have always been very healthy. They are smart, healthy, good kids. My sister on the other hand whom breast fed both of her children has two children who are constantly sick and have behavior and speech problems. I have had read my research and I am sorry you have been burdened with higher health cost. But what can you say in these circumstances? Life doesn't always fit into a perfect little box. And I am sure that for some kids it is best to be bottle fed. If they are to consume what is passed through to them through breastmilk then they may benefit better from being fed formula through a bottle.
I think you make very valid points.  You point out that there are circumstances for some people who don't breastfeed.  I knew a girl that was fondled by an uncle during her teen years and hated her breasts for that reason.  Yes, she needs to deal with that issue, too, but the subject is why some people can't, or don't, or won't.  To those who don't breastfeed, you love your babies just as much!  And don't let anyone tell you otherwise.  I owned and operated a preschool and daycare center for 17 years.  I had mothers come to the center at their convenience and sit in a rocker and nurse.  I had mothers who used formula and those that froze breastmilk.  All I saw in their eyes is they love their babies and were doing the best they could.  I didn't ask them why they don't nurse and not once did I think they were better or worse than the moms that nursed.  On the other hand I have seen people nurse but not carry on that nurturing spirits past that.  Likewise with bottle mothers.  Of all of the cases of parents that end up neglecting or abusing their children would the bottle moms say they must've been nursing moms or would the nursing moms say they must've been parents that didn't nurse their babies?  It's rediculous to have all these accusations about what parent must be better.  Research shows the nutrition value for all of us to see and it takes a lot of dedication but dedication has to last for many years beyond nursing and we should be giving each other credit.  My children were bottle fed because I could not nurse.  They are healthy, smart, college students that I have great bonds with and love for.  Just like other bottle feeding moms and just like nursing moms.
 
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October 8, 2005, 3:13 pm PDT

10/07 The Latest Debates

Quote From: macdale

BLAH BLAH BLAH BLAH, it is all about you nursing moms "doing the best thing for your baby" get over it already, no one is saying you cant breast feed, all that we are saying is do it in your own private area or home!  You dont have to do it in public!  Pump it and if your child gets hungry in public you have a back up plan.  Some public places is fine to nurse as long as your discreet.  But to nurse at a restaurant, bowling alley, playground..etc is just wrong!  And we dont have to see it!
Don't look.  How could something so natural be wrong????  Who decides what is wrong?  You????  Give me a break!!!  Why should I be exiled at home just because I choose to breastfeed.  If I were a smoker, should I be exiled to my home so I don't bother anyone else?  I don't particularly like any kind of smoke....cigarettes or cigars, so I stay away from it.  I don't tell people they don't have a right to go out in public.  It is not right for me to decide for them what they should or shouldn't do.  You must not have children or you would tell me I should pump.  When you do have children try finding the time to pump, get some sleep, feed your child, and change them and bathe them.  Get a grip and get over it.  It is only an issue if you make it one!!!!
 

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October 8, 2005, 3:14 pm PDT

10/07 The Latest Debates

Quote From: moiras

I am a mother of 3 children, one being a BOY.  When a BOY is raised around a breastfeeding child, it doesn't have to be explained as to what the woman is doing.  My son thinks nothing of me breastfeeding his little sister, because he knows that is how she eats.  That is her food.  It is nothing to "explain".  It is a Mom feeding her baby.  Why should I have to pump to make you happy.  That isn't my job.  My job is being the best mother I can be, and raising my kids to be comfortable in all kinds of situations, including b/f mothers.  My children are raised not to be judgmental of other people.  Maybe it is what is not being said, that bothers your sons more, than an explaination.  Just like overweight people, or mentally hanicapped people.  Do you not explain these to your children.  Why make a big deal out of a breastfeeding mother, if you don't make big deals out of other situations.  If you don't make a big deal out of it, your children won't make a big deal out if.  The MORE your children are given knowledge, the less curious they will be.  Knowledge is power, not judgement.   P.S. what do you suggest when a baby won't take a bottle?  My daughter just absolutely refuses.  It has a funny taste to her, and she won't take it.  I won't be SHAMED into going outside to my car, (where by the way people can still see in your car, and aren't happy), or having to make other people happy.  My goal is to raise happy healthy children, who understand that breastfeeding is natural for a mother to do with her child.  Don't explain, empower your children with knowledge.
Yes well I dont have to explain what YOUR doing when I my child ask!  I would simply tell him/her, THAT WOMAN IS NASTY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
 
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