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“It’s not like we’re exhibitionists”
So said a Canadian mom, taking part in the 2008 Breastfeeding Challenge.
In fact, according to a recent Prince Albert Daily Herald report, Canada registered the highest number of participants to the challenge, which is geared towards raising awareness over the importance of breastfeeding.
Breastfeeding is unquestionably, an honorable choice to make given tat research shows it reduces the risk for many diseases as well as the risk for obesity in the child’s future. Quoting the earlier mentioned article:
“Every baby has a right to eat, and every woman has the right to feed their baby,” said Maryanne King, the lactation consultant for the Prince Albert Parkland Health Region.
In Prince Albert two mothers came to the challenge for the “latch-on” time at 11 a.m. Brittany Stevenson was there with her baby Chaz Nayneecassum because she thinks there needs to be less stigma surrounding breastfeeding.
She has received stares and rude comments.
“People do make you feel uncomfortable when you try and breastfeed in public, it kind of bothers me a little bit,” she said.
“It’s not like were exhibitionists,” said Diana Glawischnig, as she fed her baby, Alex.
Breastfeeding has become a taboo in public because of the way women’s bodies are portrayed, Janelle Amyotte, public health nurse at the Prince Albert Parkland Health Region.
“We have breasts to feed out babies, that is the natural evolution of things,” she said.
This article has prompted a variety of responses, from one side of the issue to the other, and it was those responses that prompted me to bring this issue to all ye fraccers.
I have three children ranging in age from 12 to 21. I breastfed, I have opinions… but more important than my opinions, are yours.
Why?
Take a look at some of the responses to the article first. I’m quoting a few here, but feel free to read a few more if you feel you need to do so before you enter into discussion here.
Inappropriate from Saskatchewan writes: While I am all for breastfeeding, I think there is a time and place. If baby gets hungry and has to be fed especially in the public (Mall). . . . I just think the use of a blanket to cover the naked part would deem appropriate. I have been in the downtown mall and have witnessed mothers breastfeeding their baby’s with a full view of everything. Needless to say with all the perv’s around I don’t think this is appropriate for them to witness. I know I wouldn’t want a pedophile or a rapist looking at me baring my parts. But my opinion only . . . .
Posted 14/10/2008 at 10:30 AMAnnoyed from north vancouver, BC writes: I doubt a pedophile will get anything from watching a grown woman breastfeed- seems that he’d not be a pedophile. As for rapists and such- I think that is a poor excuse for a small minded view. Breastfeeding is natural and a beautiful bonding experience between mother and child. I believe there is a large part of society that was taught to be ashamed of their bodies and refer to penis’, vagina’s and breasts as parts and it is these same people who are bothered by breastfeeding. These same people where taught to be ashamed of birth and overall have a not so pleasant view of motherhood. I feel sorry for you if you can’t get beyond a woman and her ‘parts’ and see pregnancy, childbirth and breastfeeding as beautiful, life changing moments in a womans life. WE should be celebrating these moments not condemming.
Posted 14/10/2008 at 1:50 PMCover it UP from Saskatchewan writes: TO annoyed in NV, BC, have to agree with Inappropriate, this has nothing to do with shame of the body. Better place to celebrate than in the middle of the mall.
Posted 14/10/2008 at 2:13 PMBreastfeeding Advocate from Ontario writes: To Cover it Up and Inappropriate: You eat in the middle of the mall. Why shouldn’t my baby? Anyway, the baby’s mouth is covering what you might consider the dirty part. You have to look long and hard to catch a glimpse of anything. And why are you trying to catch a glimpse anyway? I don’t try to catch you masticating your food.
Posted 14/10/2008 at 2:21 PMcassidy from BC writes: Please, please, please quit telling me to cover my child with a blanket while feeding or go somewhere else. Unless you are willing to cover your head when you eat or remove yourself to a closed room, please don’t ask me. If you are uncomfortable with breastfeeding keep it to yourself. I keep my opinion about the grossness of bottle feeding to myself. Just think about it: bottles look like a penis with a breast attached.
Posted 14/10/2008 at 3:56 PM
Why then, are your opinions more important than mine? Well… most regulars to the fracas or the just fracas (again) blogs know that fracas (that would be me) is from Saskatchewan. Reading the comments to that article, I noticed that most of the comments in support of covering up while feeding, were from women identifying themselves as from Saskatchewan. I’m wondering if these opinions are have something to do with where one lives, the local customs and ideologies, or not.
So please… say what you think! I don’t plan to debate anyone, but will not stop any of you from debating each other. Please do not personally insult each other.
If it becomes relevant, I will share what I, as a mom who breastfed, chose to do, and why.
[Image Source: YeahBaby.com]
I personally find the use of womens ‘body-parts’ to lasciviously advertise anything from cars to weed killer highly offensive. How anyone can find a mother discretely breastfeeding her child in public offensive, I don’t know!
And having to do it in the loo for lack of breastfeeding facilities is no different to having to take your Pot Noodle into the latrine to chow down! What would the health and safety people make of that?!
An individual choice …….. it doesn’t worry me in the slightest. I always think it’s nice that a mum is relaxed enough to breast feed as and when [with some consideration for the exact situation of course].
Thanks for starting this off Sarah, and for adding your bits (or, make that two bits) Daddy Papersurfer. I’m going to wait for more comments before adding my bits.
Loaded question much? I’m originally from Sask, transplated to Ontario, fyi. I have mixed opinions. Nothing unusual there.
I don’t think “it’s natural” is necessarily synonamous with “it should be done in public.” Making babies is perfectly normal, too. Doesn’t mean you need to do that at the food court, does it? (heh)
I don’t find breastfeeding offensive, but that doesn’t mean I want to see it, either. I don’t find it offensive that men have penises, but that doesn’t mean I want to see them at the mall either. Likewise, I don’t find it offensive that women have breasts or use them to feed their babies… but that doesn’t mean I want to see it, either.
IMHO, too many people are too concerned about “their” rights and don’t stop to think about anyone else around them.
Eons ago, when I was breastfeeding, I would ask the people around me if they mind if I breastfeed. If they were uncomfortable, I went and fed my baby in a private place. If they didn’t mind, then I went ahead.
If I didn’t know the people around me well enough to ask, I didn’t assume they’re okay with seeing my boob sticking out.
For me, it’s not a question of whether it’s natural, or whether it’s evolution (wtf?) or whether *I* have that right…. it’s a matter of being considerate of the people around me.
But then, consideration for others seems to be in shorter supply these days than they were a few decades ago.
Just my opinion, of course.
Personally, I was a Similac baby. Much of the perception has to do with family upbringing as well as hangups.
On the other hand there’s a difference between a woman feeding her child ANYWHERE and someone trying to make a scene. I’ve seen both.
On one occasion my family passed a woman who you could tell was nursing while sitting in a mall, with a very light material shielding her baby feeding…not covering the child, she was just using appropriate etiquette while maintaining her child’s privacy and her own.
On another a woman who was acting out and literally whipped her breast out in front of a crowd. Didn’t seem the child feeding was foremost on her mind.
I call ‘em as I see ‘em. One was a mom, the other…no idea what her issue was but to make a ’statement’.