Breast Feeding in Public
Quote:
Originally posted by PnguinTrax
Would you eat your meal in a restroom? Why should my baby have to?
I love it when I see a woman BF is public and think it's beautiful. Yes, just 'whipping it out' could be a bit disconcerting, but today's nursing clothes make it easier than ever to discreetly feed your infant in public. In fact, I've had to 'look twice' to confirm that a woman was BF in public, because it was so hard to tell at first glance.
Breasts are to provide nourishment to human infants. They are not there to sell beer or pleasure men. Breast milk is the most complete and perfect food for human infants, constantly (naturally!) changing it's nutritional components to satisfy the changing needs of growing human infants. No other food product on this earth is more perfect for humans than breastmilk.
The average age of weaning in countries outside the US is 5 years of age. In the US, it's 6 months. The Pediatric Association recommends breastfeeding for at least 1 year, preferably 2 years or as long as mutually desirable. Extended breastfeeding is a natural process that has been perverted by American 'morals & values'. Breastfeeding a toddler will not turn them into breast-obsessed maniacs, it is NOT child abuse and it is NOT pornography.
The longer a woman breastfeeds, the better it is for her and the baby. Recent studies have shown that a woman's risk of breast cancer diminishes greatly for each month past 6 months a woman breastfeeds and diminishes even more for BF past a year or two. The percentage risk goes down even further with subsequent children that the woman has and breastfeeds.
You know what? I used to be a "Breastfeeding is gross and disgusting and perverted" kind of person. I did ALOT of research and saw the truth of the matter - it's better for the baby, it's better for me and it's better for the world. Breastfed babies are healthier overall - it helps prevent obesity, diabetes and other diseases. It makes an infant feel secure and loved. I don't support corporate greed when I breastfeed and I save A LOT of money when I breast feed. Breast milk is free. Formula can run as much as $500 a month for the specialty forumulas. Wouldn't that money be better spent in your child's college fund?
I realize that there are many women that can't breastfeed due to physical limitations and are forced to feed formula. Two of my close friends will never be able to BF and it's horrible to see how they are treated by women that don't know their story. But if you are physically able to breastfeed and don't, I think you are doing your child and your own body a great disservice.
Informational links (if pictures of breastfeeding infants offend you, do not visit):
http://www.breastfeeding.com/
http://www.lalecheleague.org/
Pediatric Assoc's statment on BF: http://www.aap.org/policy/re9729.html
http://www.waba.org.br/
http://www.breastfeeding.asn.au/
Lucy Lawless (Xena, Warror Princess) is featured (while BF) on
Australia's poster for World Breastfeeding week. It says, Breastfeeding...my best role ever. http://www.ausxip.com/lawless/pictur...ert-poster.jpg
http://www.promom.org/
http://www.breastfeedingbasics.com/
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Bravo to Pnguintrax!
I don't live in Ontario presently, but I also wanted to point out that breast feeding is protected there by law....
http://www.ohrc.on.ca/english/guides...tfeeding.shtml
Ontario Human Rights Commission’
WHAT ABOUT BREASTFEEDING?
You have rights as a nursing mother. For example, you have the right to breastfeed a child in a public area. No one should prevent you from nursing your child simply because you are in a public area. They should not ask you to "cover up", disturb you, or ask you to move to another area that is more "discreet".
I think the reason why people in North America find breast objectionable (whereas in Europe, it's not a big deal...hello, watch a shampoo commercial in Germany and you will see breasts on TV) is because North American has a puritan legacy upon which it was founded...and I think we are still seeing our values and mores affected by it today.