Topic : 10/07 The Latest Debates

I am going to use this again (It is just too good), and because you are the exact person it applies to: 

Well, it sounds like these breastfeeding mothers DON'T WANT TO BE DESCREET, rather, they want to do whatever they want and not care about other people, like the mother on this debate show with Shelly.     

People just want them to be a bit more discreet.  I admire women who can do this and feel good about it.  There are many of them out there.   

Breastfeeding has been around since the beginning of time, it is the most natural thing for a woman and child.  Our society has become desensitized from the media's view regarding sex.  It is on the TV all day long, commercials, the radio, CD's etc.  Breasts are not porn or indecent.  Women who breastfeed do not walk around with their tops off in public, they have a baby snuggled up close to them  I do believe in discretion, personally I don't want be exposed, I am modest.  But, we shouldn't knock the mothers who have made a healthy choice for herself and for the baby. 

Condoms should never be given out in school.  I believe that it is giving the kids permission.  That is like someone else putting my daughter on birth control.  I would raise the roof!!!  Again, the shools cannot hand out Tylenol to the students.  Promiscuos sex should never be encouraged and these kids should instead be taught to respect themselves, their bodies and abstinence.  They should be scared about the STD's and pregnancies.  These kids are way too young to be experimenting sexually.  They are not emotionally or psychologically ready to deal with the feelings afterwards.  Again, I blame the media for exploiting sex and giving the appearance that "Everyone is doing it all day long".  That is not the reality.   

Discipling other peoples children.  If the child is left in your care (school, sunday school, daycare, etc.) then the person in charge should certainly have the right to discipline (lovingly), i.e Timeout, privelages, etc.  Not spanked or yelled out, etc.  It should be the parents discretion to discipline further. 

Regarding people who think mothers should adjourn to the restroom to breastfeed the baby: 

Several Deaf people I have interpreted for told me that the old Deaf Schools they went to did not allow them to speak sign language in public.  The educators were offended at the sight of ASL.  The unfortunate deaf went to schools which only allowed lipreading and speaking with voice.  No Sign Language allowed.  So, they spoke sign language only in the restroom where they wouldn't be seen.  More than one of these people have told me that ever since then, they have associated speaking sign language with the shame and the smell of urine.   

I was always discrete when breastfeeding my children.  Most places did not accommodate breastfeeding mothers by providing a suitable area for feeding.  I would find myself in bathroom stalls - trying to find a little "privacy" and growing completely frustrated in the process.  I shudder to think about the bacteria lingering on bathroom surfaces (doors, sinks, locks, etc.)... not to mention the airborne bacteria. 

On a trip to Chicago I was pleased to discover the Art Institute of Chicago had small rooms set aside for breastfeeding mothers to find a little comfort and privacy.  I personally don't feel comfortable breastfeeding in public (in open view).  However, that is much preferrable to a bathroom stall - with all its unpleasant sights, sounds, and smells. 

Why the huge debate then? If you are so repulsed by breastfeeding then I can only possibly conclude 1 thing for certain: 

You have never breastfed a baby. 

Until you can say you've educated yourself in and practiced something, (like breastfeeding or piloting a plane, or running a country as President, or curing the flu,) then NO, YOU DON'T HAVE THE RIGHT TO SHARE AN OPINION ABOUT IT. How dare I, (not a Surgeon,) presume to have an opinion about what a surgeon sees fit or necessary to do during the course of his practice? I DON'T. Why? I have no right to do so and I know it. I never passed medical school. I do however have tons of education and experience in being a breastfeeding Mom. I can then feel entitled to an opinion and share it with others if it regards a breastfeeding concern or issue. I have earned the right to share my opinions on that particular topic because I have been there and done that. Why should the childless have an opinion in this matter? It makes completely no sense whatsoever! I decide what's best for my family members not you or anyone else. The truth stings but it is just that- the truth. Simple. That goes for my husband too to some extent. He has never breastfed a baby. Therefore I don't think he has the right to share his opinion. He can have one, but he will respectfully keep it to himself until such a day when he takes the appropriate hormones and therapies and actions required in order for himself to lactate and then feed my baby. In that case I would allow him to and would infact welcome his viewpoints and opinions on lactation practices both private and public and otherwise. Have at it, DH, because now you've earned the right to respectfully share your opinion. (An educated opinion that really means something and which is not just mindless chatter to pass the time.) For those with no vested interest in the very personal matter of feeding my baby, PLEASE BUTT OUT and take care of your own business. I promise not to inflict my unwelcome opinions on you about your personal business. Deal? Besides when exactly in North America did it become OKAY to attack a Mother? Everything I do with my child seems to be questioned or debated everyday. Not just this topic, but any parenting topic imaginable. Everyone throws their advice at me wherever I go and it's plain stupidity for the most part. The advice giver should be CURRENT, RELEVANT, and ACCURATE when sharing information and should never suggest any one way is better for my kids period. I choose because that is MY JOB! Don't ever suggest otherwise. What a sad day in age where we brutally attack other woman for any old reason, but especially mothering. Come on, that's sinking pretty low. I wish the old adage were infact true, that it takes a village to raise a child. If people really meant that, they'd roll up their sleeves, educate themselves and go at helping out Moms and not criticize their every move! Villages are communities of love and respect and help and sharing. There is no tearing down another woman and telling her that her way is just plain wrong. That behavior would predate the ice ages you would think. Can we not stop ripping each other to shreds? Why do we judge each other so harshly? Can't we learn that our opinions are just OUR opinions? So what if Mary got a Boob job or face lift? Who cares if Sally tried and failed at Atkins? Who says that Bethany has poor taste in men and clothing? Is all of this crap important at all? It's ridiculous how woman relate to one another these days and I am getting fed up with it fast. Since becoming a mothering, the only other time I felt this defensive was in JR HIGH when I felt I had to wear designer clothing in order to remain cool enough to hang out with the cooler kids in school. If I bought a cheap brandname I may be ousted and harrassed. I thought we grew out of this phase. Then I grew up to learn I was too fat, getting too old too fast, not rich enough, and that was all okay to deal with and disregard becuase that all came in small doses and the media I can shut out. BUT after having a baby, wow, i can't shut the world up again. It's like having those JR HIGH girls around me nattering constantly about hair and makeup and boyfriend choices and on and on and on. I guess Moms aren't allowed to just be okay with their own choices? We too like teenage girls need to be directed and controlled by popular opinion no matter how misguided or silly, or just plain wrong those ideals may be? Grow up ladies. Evolve a little 

Angela 

Well said Bethany! 

Breast is Best 

-and- 

Babies Were Born to Breastfeed! 

Many have suggested that breastfeeding women use a pump. 

Breast pumps do not stimulate the breast the same way that the baby does.  This often causes decreased milk supply and problems getting the milk to let-down.  In addition, feeding from the breast promotes a regular feeding schedule (on-demand) and helps to regulate the mother's milk supply. 

Feeding from the breast (as opposed to pumping) enhances the physical and emotional benefits for the infant and the mother.  Nipple stimulation causes a surge in the body's natural hormones.  This is an important part of the "bonding" experience that others have mentioned.  Sucking on the nipple also has physiological effects on the infant.   

Bottles are not the same as feeding from the breast itself.