Cover Causes Controversy

[KSig RC]

Originally Posted by PM_Mama00

Have any argument you want about breastfeeding. However, I can also say that urinating is so natural. There are private places I could go to do that, but man if I gota go, I gota go! Right? Genitals have dual functions. They can be sexy, and they are also used as a health function. It couldn't be a health hazard if you're letting go in a sewer or something and not on ground where someone else can walk. The difference is? And seriously, do you really think the Taco Bell dining room or neighborhood park is germless enough to give your baby a healthy meal? Sick.

The 'dual-purpose' argument is pretty thin, I'll agree, but the health concerns are legitimate - urinating into a sewer is not really similar to feeding on a park bench, and defecating has no comparison whatsoever.

Also the 'germ' argument is patently ridiculous - is the Taco Bell dining room sanitary enough for you to eat? Is the park nice enough for you to have a picnic? Do you bleach out your kitchen every 30 minutes? Babies should be protected, but you're way out of control here.

Besides, people in this world are so messed up in the head, that I'm sure there is a pedophile on every corner. Why would you want to breastfeed in public when there could be some sicko watching and getting turned on by that?

Holy fucking crap.

First - PEDOPHILE. Would not be turned on, then, by ADULT BREAST. Jesus. Maybe you mean "Pedo with a food fetish?" Even that's retarded.

I just can't get down like this, it doesn't really apply to any argument against public breastfeeding.

[Jimmy Choo]

The thing that manages to get overlooked in this whole thing is that some people were upset by the cover (please don't flame me, I'm just stating what has been covered on the news) and never read the actual article that the cover was promoting. The topic was "Why don't Women Breastfeed Longer?"
I read the article and it was actually quite interesting.

So here's a question for the GC community: How long is too long?

[tunatartare]

If you can ask for it, you're too old to get it.

[Jimmy Choo]

Originally Posted by KLPDaisy

If you can ask for it, you're too old to get it.

I have seen that before!!!! A kid went up to her mom and stated that she was hungry, lifted her mom's shirt, and proceeded to nurse. She was about 5 years old. I swear I'm not lying!!

[tunatartare]

I once saw a 9 year old boy on the subway sucking on a pacifier. His mom tried to take it away from him and he started crying, screaming, and kicking like you would not believe.

[DeltAlum]

How long is too long?

In terms of a male, when he get's married, it's his wifes problem.

Just kidding. It's an old joke.

[Jimmy Choo]

Originally Posted by DeltAlum

How long is too long?

In terms of a male, when he get's married, it's his wifes problem.

Just kidding. It's an old joke.

That's funny DeltAlum!

[Drolefille]

I'd say until the teeth mean that breastfeeding becomes breast-gnawing

As long as you can is good. The benefits to the baby outweigh any inconvenience (imo) and so are the emotional benefits to yourself.

[ISUKappa]

Originally Posted by ecupidelta

So here's a question for the GC community: How long is too long?

Ideally (and I think as recommended by the AAP) mothers should breastfeed for the first year. I personally think anywhere from 12-18 or so months is acceptable, and even potentially up to 24+ months provided that nursing is not the child's main source of nutrition by that point (which would really be okay because breastmilk is the best food you can give to babies, but by that time they should be able to eat table food for every meal.)

But really, for those of us who had a low milk supply and weren't able to nurse exclusively, even *some* breastmilk is better than none.

So my final answer is: as long as you're able/willing.

[PM_Mama00]

Originally Posted by KSig RC

The 'dual-purpose' argument is pretty thin, I'll agree, but the health concerns are legitimate - urinating into a sewer is not really similar to feeding on a park bench, and defecating has no comparison whatsoever.

Also the 'germ' argument is patently ridiculous - is the Taco Bell dining room sanitary enough for you to eat? Is the park nice enough for you to have a picnic? Do you bleach out your kitchen every 30 minutes? Babies should be protected, but you're way out of control here.



Holy fucking crap.

First - PEDOPHILE. Would not be turned on, then, by ADULT BREAST. Jesus. Maybe you mean "Pedo with a food fetish?" Even that's retarded.

I just can't get down like this, it doesn't really apply to any argument against public breastfeeding.

Ok obviously defecating is pretty gross and unsanitary, and so is peeing in public. But I also feel like whipping it out in public is unsanitary. Believe it or not, women sweat. I duno. I have no experience in this, but wouldn't you want to like clean up before the child eats?

I like eating in a park as much as I like eating in a Taco Bell dining room. In both places I'm VERY careful. Well as careful as you can be without cooking your own food.

Ok Pedophile was probably the wrong word, but there are sickos out there. And if a sicko is sitting there watching you breastfeed cuz he has a fetish with it... hey you're showing a private part of your body-- your fault. I feel the same about excessive cleavage. Don't bitch about someone staring if your tatas are hanging out. As someone else mentioned, if someone is doing is discretely in public to where you can't really tell what's going on, then go for it. But I just don't understand why it has to be made such a big deal.

[ISUKappa]

Originally Posted by PM_Mama00

I have no experience in this, but wouldn't you want to like clean up before the child eats?

It's not like a 4-star restaurant. When your baby is hungry and crying and wants to eat *NOW* you don't wait to shower or "clean yourself off", you unhook your nursing bra and latch your baby on, preferably discreetly. The baby gets - at max - a 3" area of the breast, areola and nipple. That's not a very large area to worry about keeping clean.

There's no good solution. If you nurse in public, people are going to get upset. If you don't nurse and your baby is crying because it's hungry, people are going to get upset. And you can't simply say "arrange your schedule to insure you're home to breastfeed." The whole process of feeding a baby can take anywhere from 10-60 minutes and an hour later, you have to start the whole thing over again. A new mother needs to get out of the house once in a while and there's no way you can get the baby ready, get the diaper bag ready, get yourself ready, strap him/her into the carseat, go to the grocery store or Target and do all your shopping in that short of time.

I hate to pull this card because I think it's a cheap excuse most of the time, but it's really one of those things where if you haven't BTDT, you really have no idea what it's like.

[preciousjeni]

Originally Posted by ISUKappa

It's not like a 4-star restaurant. When your baby is hungry and crying and wants to eat *NOW* you don't wait to shower or "clean yourself off", you unhook your nursing bra and latch your baby on, preferably discreetly. The baby gets - at max - a 3" area of the breast, areola and nipple. That's not a very large area to worry about keeping clean.

There's no good solution. If you nurse in public, people are going to get upset. If you don't nurse and your baby is crying because it's hungry, people are going to get upset. And you can't simply say "arrange your schedule to insure you're home to breastfeed." The whole process of feeding a baby can take anywhere from 10-60 minutes and an hour later, you have to start the whole thing over again. A new mother needs to get out of the house once in a while and there's no way you can get the baby ready, get the diaper bag ready, get yourself ready, strap him/her into the carseat, go to the grocery store or Target and do all your shopping in that short of time.

I hate to pull this card because I think it's a cheap excuse most of the time, but it's really one of those things where if you haven't BTDT, you really have no idea what it's like.

This is exactly what I've been thinking through this thread. Thanks for saying it.

[SydneyK]

Originally Posted by ISUKappa

The whole process of feeding a baby can take anywhere from 10-60 minutes and an hour later, you have to start the whole thing over again.

Huge ditto on everything you said, but I had to highlight this point. For those who haven't breastfed, they have no idea that, at least at the beginning, it truly is an enormous time commitment. This is a difficult concept for moms-to-be to grasp, so I can understand why people whose family isn't growing don't even know there's a concept they're missing.

And, about how long is too long... that can only be answered by mom and baby.

Finally, KLPDaisy, I'm glad I'm not the only one who thought about Lynette's colleague when reading this thread!

[DeltAlum]

Originally Posted by PM_Mama00

I have no experience in this, but wouldn't you want to like clean up before the child eats?

Let me say up front that this is not a snide comment. Honestly.

But it is obvious that you have no experience in this.

On this one point alone, remember that these are the same babies who suck on their hands and feet and all manner of toys that have been all over the floor in the house and everywhere else.

Everything they pick up goes in their mouth.

A little sweat ain't gonna hurt them.

One of the big benefits of breastfeeding is that mothers milk provides immunities for many illnesses.

[PM_Mama00]

Originally Posted by DeltAlum

Let me say up front that this is not a snide comment. Honestly.

But it is obvious that you have no experience in this.

On this one point alone, remember that these are the same babies who suck on their hands and feet and all manner of toys that have been all over the floor in the house and everywhere else.

Everything they pick up goes in their mouth.

A little sweat ain't gonna hurt them.

One of the big benefits of breastfeeding is that mothers milk provides immunities for many illnesses.

Understandable, but that's why I admitted I had no experience and asked the question. I know it's a natural thing, but if someone were doing it around me and I knew, I'd feel really uncomfortable.

This is just an innocent question, but what about pumps and bottling it? Don't alot of working mothers who BF do that?