As I was trying to figure out what to post for Mother's Day, I started thinking of a worrisome trend in our culture. There have been a couple of episodes in the last year where nursing moms have been singled out and shunned. One, a nursing mom on an airline who was asked to leave the plane for nursing her baby and another family that was asked to leave a Ronald McDonald house for nursing in public. I remember well, when I was nursing, having to remove myself in public places and sit in a dirty restroom stall or go out in a freezing car to nurse because of people that were uncomfortable with me doing it in front of them.
I find it quite the oxymoron that we are bombarded with sensual images of women's breasts every day...in the grocery store aisle, on T.V. , billboards, etc. But when a woman (barely) exposes herself to use her breasts as they were meant to be used, people are highly offended. I don't think it was always this way and am highly suspicious that this trend of prudence began during the Victorian era.
I think no matter what route a mother chooses to feed her newborn, it needs to be supported. I, personally, felt breastfeeding was what would be best for me and my son. And I cherished those moments of bonding and closeness....him gazing into my eyes and grinning as he nursed. And I hope the tide starts turning towards an acceptance of mothers nursing...the most natural thing in the world to me. And that the decision is supported in public places, also....that a mom doesn't have to sit in a filthy restroom to nurse or practically smother her baby with a blanket to hide herself.
The picture above was taken at a music festival....which, by the way, are great places for breastfeeding. There tend to be a lot of hippies and "earth mothers" who smile at you warmly and knowingly when they pass instead of giving you sharp and unapproving glances. :) A good link for breastfeeding advocacy is here. And rant aside....I wish all of you mothers a wonderful Mother's Day! I've enjoyed the fellowship and kinship of all of the fellow mommybloggers out there.......
9 comments:
I agree with everything you said but I also think that there are descreet ways of doing it that don't have to be exhibitionism. I have seen both and even though I nursed my 2 I always tried to not expose or offend.
Great post...there is a debate now in the UK here now about public breastfeeding. Hope you had a Happy Mothers Day! :)
Lovely!
Happy Mother's Day, a lil late...
I am very moved by that photo. Honestly, I feel so strongly about it that it brings tears to my eyes. I feel like the breast milk is the baby's property that the mother is the steward of it. Everytime I see a baby being breastfed I feel reassured that the baby is getting nourished and will grow stronger for it. We all get to benefit from that. It also touches me because it brings back sweet memories.
I am no mother yet..so I would not know but the post was informative. I am sure u had a great Mother's day :)
colleen- i love your thoughts.. "I feel like the breast milk is the baby's property that the mother is the steward of it..." i know i would have gotten the warm and approving glances from you.... :)
Happy (belated) Mama's day, Amy! Blessings on you and your sweet family! (Great post, too! Warm approving glances coming from me, too...)
thank you, elise...my fellow momma! :) much blessing to you, too.......
Love that pic, Amy.
Hope you had a great mother's day.
On the same note of your post, some time last year, some women were nursing their children in a Victoria Secret store and told to nurse somewhere else...how hypocritical is that.
Of course I agree with everything you said here. And along with Elise, warm approving glances and a soft rub on the babe's head as I pass. ;)
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