OK, ok, ok.....now this might come off as strange - especially coming from a 'non mother' but I have been noticing a surge in social commentary on the subject of breast-feeding.
A subject that would normally fall off my radar but has been brought to my attention through a series of 'military wife' rants and support after the revealing picture of two 'military, uniform wearing, super moms' breastfeeding.
Moreover, I have several good friends that have been posting - with increasing frequency - supportive articles, pictures, and in all honesty, 'militant' style advocacy for breast feeding. Ok. Not sure what to say or how I feel about this.....but as always I can think of a few things.....
Where to begin......
Breastfeeding.
Yeah, I get it. It is a primal and natural form of feeding your young offspring. It is arguably the most nutritious and maternal aspect of having and caring for a young infant.
"We do it , other mammals do it....why can't we just all get along......*let's fall in love song*" :D
I'm not sure there is a societal problem here or a subversive undertone that is working to make this a taboo act. BUT, I believe the reason for so many people's mixed emotions is that breast feeding is seen as a extremely private and personal bonding experience between a mother and child. No? Not working for ya?
Ok....here's another thought....
No one really cares about seeing a mother feeding their child, in terms of breastfeeding, but people become uncomfortable at the militant approach to it all.
A 'breastfeeding sit-in' really? That's how you are going to make your point? And what exactly is our point? To make everyone around you unconformable?
Before you so poorly stated your point about the freedoms or lack thereof to breastfeed - NO ONE REALLY CARED. No one gasped at the sight of someone feeding their child, quietly hidden under a breastfeeding blanket (the child that is...not the mom), in a quiet area in a public place.
YOU have brought attention to it. You have brought the subject up and become a breastfeeding, social battle cry for the rights of a parent to whip out a boob wherever and whenever you want. Really? Because you want that special, bonding experience to be shared with complete strangers?
That's NOT breastfeeding......that attention seeking.
I have friends and family who have and currently do breastfeed. Many, if not all, advocate breastfeeding...as a personal choice. And as such, consider the experience as a personal one. Not something that should be used a 'poster child' issue for politicians, the general public or the media to decide as to whether this is something that should even be discussed outside of parental choice.
The media is a major player in this. When you run articles and magazines with pictures of child breastfeeding with their mothers; when you run headlines calling for opinions on mothers breastfeeding in public - you are always going to create a issue when there shouldn't be one in the first place.
Here's a few last thoughts....
1. I'm not a mother. But if I was I wouldn't need or want the publicity garnered by sensationalism of associated media frenzies.
2. Mothers have common sense - they don't need to be made a spectacle when feeding their child. But thanks to a few militant moms and the media - they are always going to be viewed in a certain light for their CHOICE to breastfeed their child.....in public.
3. For all you moms on social networking sites - Please....for the love of God....STOP advertising your breastfeeding abilities. Yes, you have boobs. Yes, you feed your children with them. Yes, it is your right to do so. BUT NO, we -non moms and even other moms - do NOT need to know about it or see it. I'm blocking you.
4. YOU are in uniform. And the ONLY reason you chose to have that picture done was because you could and you were showing off (twins and breasts....you all know the pic I speak of).
Finally, have you thought about the mothers who CANNOT breastfeed and the fact that you can make them feel less of a mom???
Whatever. You are all going to do what you want.
But next time you go all 'Super MOM' - try not to do it on Time magazine cover photo.
Your kid will never live that one down.
