Topic : 10/07 The Latest Debates

Saying that breastfeeding is a "choice" is like saying that it is a choice to have my body produce insulin. My body simply produces insulin, I would have to choose to not use it and force my body to stop producing it. Of course insulin can be replaced in those that have diabetes, but if you were physically capable of making it you would not force your body to stop making it just to then replace it with a manufactured version. It is the same with breastfeeding, the vast majority of those that bottle feed are physically capable of producing milk. 

  

Again it would be like saying using your own insulin and testing your blood sugar then injecting yourself with insulin both have different advantages. 1.5 million babies die each year because they are not breastfed. Don't pretend they are at all equal. BTW, breastfeeding protects against diabetes. 

  

I find it hard to believe that your non breastfed daughters breastfeed their dolls, to be honest with you. My daughters do also, but they are also influenced by our culture. You would be hard pressed to find a baby doll that does not come with a bottle, they are taught in school to bottlefeed and I didn't see Dora the Explorer's mom breastfeeding those new twins. If even my girls succomb to it in a family where all their relatives BF ( their aunt and I are currently BFing), we don't allow bottles in the house, we boycott Nestle, we own shelves of BFing books including kids books... 

  

Education is key... but I will not lie to my daughters or sons and tell them bottlefeeding is a great option. 

OMG!!  You have got to be kidding me.  No one is saying that formula fed children can't be smart, beautiful, or happy.  Science says that in general the IQ's of children breastfed as babies are higher, science, not opinion, fact.  Higher, not smartest.  It does not say that formula fed babies are stupid.   

  

I myself was formula fed and have a BA and graduated in the top 5% of my class.  That is not the point. 

  

The point is that unless you have actually experienced something you can not 100% understand the experience.  Again FACT. 

  

N~ 

I had to chuckle when I finally had the chance to hit the DVR and watch Friday's Dr. Phil.  The only time I get to sit down and watch tv is when I am breastfeeding my four month old, which is what I was doing when I watched the debate.  I think Dr. Phil only scratched the surface of the issue.  The woman who was pro-public breastfeeding was a bit of an extremist--with her "I refuse to cover up" attitude.  I'm nursing my third child right now, and I don't enjoy looking at strangers' breasts either.  The real question is why people are hostile towards discreet public breastfeeding!  I think most women who breast feed in public make every effort to cover up, yet still we are subject to hostile looks from others.  I think it's terrible that people give me dirty looks when they realize what I am doing, when all they see is a blanket and my baby's feet!

Hey Inurdreams, great comments!  You have guts, girl!  You are so right.  When I'm in a restaurant, I am entertained by my company.  I never look around to see what others are doing, wearing, etc. 

  

Anyway, it really doesn't matter what Shelly thinks.  Let her think (if that's what she actually does) what she wants because she can't stop us!  The breasts have the power!!!!!!!!! 

was simply to show that NO MATTER where I am you will NEVER see my breast unless you are on top of me which if you were that would just be rude. 

  

So I am on topic and I proved my point in that you cannot see one little speck of my breast while I am breastfeeding. I just happened to use a picture of myself in a hospital room but if you would like I can post one of me out in public. 

  

Thank you for your comment but I proved the point I was trying to make so don't tell me I am of topic 

T 

I have nursed three babies for a combined total of five years and nine months.  In all that time, I've never heard one of the children ever make a slurping sound?!?!?!  I'm very confused!

Shelly, neither have I.  Again there is nothing innappropriate about it...it's only your opinion.  And by the way, how do you know that someone in a restaurant may not have enjoyed looking at you.  Perhaps nothing was said directly to you, but.....well, we all saw the show, so you get it?!?!?!

"Questioning your intelligence" .............. 

  

is what others must be doing b/c an intelligent decision about breastfeeding is to DO IT.!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! 

All of the information is out there. It is people like you that try to start trouble for everyone else that makes it difficult. 

  

I must say, this debate could go on forever. And it probably will. BUT there will ALWAYS be breastfeeding. Hell, what was there before bottles were invented? Hmmmmm.............. 

  

Whoopty Doo....you were on Dr Phil. BIG DEAL. 

Get over yourself already!!!!! 

  

  

 I realize back generations ago, breastfeeding wasn't thought of as highly as it is now.....The next generation, I think, will be more considerate and understanding with all the research and studies that suggest nursing to be best.  And hopefully by that time more laws will be passed to help enable that to happen.

So that explains why I'm having so many difficulties providing the "best" for my child.  He is almost a year, and I'm in the process of weaning him now.  I'm a full-time working mother, a teacher.  My son has never had an ounce of anything but breastmilk.

However, let me explain how difficult it has been....  For one, nursing in public, which is the debate.  I'll have you know that I have stood in restrooms in the tiny little areas, and nursed my son b/c people are so offended by it!  I've NEVER nursed in public, which if I were brave enough I would.  Why should I have to stand in a restroom cubicle to nurse?  Because the thought of someone giving me a dirty look or a rude comment frightens me.  Well, let me tell you .  Nursing a 15-20 pound baby, that isn't easy to do standing in a restroom.  Your back hurts, your legs hurt, and your baby is not comfortable.  I've gone out to the car, which was fine if the weather was nice.  But, then if it is freezing you have to heat the car so your baby doesn't freeze or turn the air on so you aren't sweating or over heating the baby -- all of which are time consuming.  Seems even longer when you have a crying, hungry, fussing baby in your arms.

And to the comment about a breast pump....  I bought a pump.  It works wonders.... HOWEVER, in order for me to supply my baby with nothing but my breastmilk, I don't have extra to take out and about with us while in public.  It is strictly used for when I'm at work and he's at the sitter. 

That leads me into my next point -- IF my job allowed me to pump, I could store more milk to have milk to take out to a restaurant, or whatever public place we may be at.  However, considering the fact I'm only allowed to pump on MY  30 minute lunch, I don't get enough for my baby.  I had to pump all summer and the entire time I was on an unpaid maternity leave to get the milk that he has now.  I've had NO support from my  employer and unfortunately there are currently no laws to help matters in my state.  I was even given a very hard time by co-workers b/c I took a day off when we had a field trip.  I don't understand what they expected... for me to leak while on the trip!?  I wouldn't have been able to pump!  You would think working for a school corporation that strives the best for CHILDREN they'd understand my strong desire to nurse my son for 12 months.

Also, some women may not be able to afford a pump.  They are VERY expensive and a lot of women chose to nurse to save money (as formula is expensive too...maybe they can't afford formula).  I wanted to nurse to provide my baby with the things that formula cannot give him, not the money factor (although that is a plus).

Some have said, why not cover up....  I don't know about everyone else's baby, but my son HATES a blanket.  He'd never go for that and pull it off, which is what he does. 

I'm respectful towards others, so I've put myself out and my son for that matter, to nurse in my car and in restrooms.  However, is that fair?  I don't understand why nursing in public is so wrong to some people.  As long as a woman doesn't like "whip it out" and expose herself completely, I don't see what the big deal is anyhow.  There are a lot of other things in this society that are a lot more offensive.  Mammals were designed to feed their offspring in this way.  That is the way we were designed and how it is supposed to work.  God designed us this way. 

I do not nurse in public to keep the peace.  And the suggestion of getting a pump baffles me.  I do pump, but I pump to store my milk so I can work full-time.  It is VERY demanding to keep up, and especially for the suggested 12 months (especially when you can only pump on your lunch break).  Nursing mothers that work do not have extra milk to just take out in public.  And on another note, if a new mom doesn't get to nurse her supply will decrease and she may leak.  That'd gross you out too, wouldn't it?

I understand being offended if women are being immodest and "letting it all hang out" - this bothers me too. But if they are discreate and remain concealed with a blanket, why does this bother you? 

  

In an ideal world, it would be great to be able to schedule all of your feedings at home, but I have five children, all breast-fed, and lets face it; it isn't always possible to predict when an infant will want to nurse.  I have always tried to retreat to my car when at outings or to a quiet room or corner when in other public places.  However, being on my fifth child that is breast-fed, I reallize there are rare occations when it just isn't possible.  In these few times, I have always managed to keep myself completely concealed and cannot understand why anyone would be offended.