Yes

by Mandy Donoghue

Created on: January 08, 2009   Last Updated: January 15, 2009

Mothers choosing to bottle-feed their young do so in public, so mothers choosing to breastfeed their young should also be permitted to do so in public. Both types of women are simply providing nourishment for their young, and as any mother knows, when a child is hungry, he or she wants food fast. Breastfeeding mothers should not be intimidated, or worse legally penalized, simply for doing as nature intended.

With the materialization of the human species, women breastfeeding their offspring in public has been the norm. Some people may argue times change, but breasts have not changed. They continue to work successfully as nature intended transcending cultures for centuries.

Yet, hullabaloo ensued back in April 2006 Breast-Feed or Else when the World Health Organization made statements implying children's health at risk if not breastfed. What really has changed is society's impression of breasts as sexual objects rather than nourishing objects. Even Facebook declared breastfeeding pictures obscene and banned such photos from its website.

People obsessed with breasts' sexual associations are often critical of women publicly breastfeeding because they view the act as obscene. For persons well aware of breasts' original and impressive function to sustain human life, the decision to breastfeed is automatic, resulting in a bonding experience with their babies. Sustaining human life though is not enough to settle this debate.

Besides making women breastfeeding in public uncomfortable by making snide remarks or asking them to move somewhere private, myths exist. These myths give some women an out of breastfeeding altogether. Women are led to believe falsities in a push by some manufacturers and ill informed individuals that bottle-feeding is better or rather more appropriate for their children.

Some of the myths perpetuated include not enough milk production, always painful, and baby not gaining weight. Refuting these untrue statements is imperative to support and protect a woman's right to feed her child whenever and wherever she wishes just like any other parent out their choosing to bottle-feed their baby manmade formula or perhaps worse - cow's milk. Increasing the number of women publicly breastfeeding is essential for the movement to be permitted everywhere.

Luckily mothers can consult La Leche League International for guidance. Some resources available include answers to questions, lists of providers specializing in the lactation field and legislation specific to the mother's locality. Most important, the myths, of which there are many, are disproved.

Nursing a child in public is necessary for proper milk production. If feedings are delayed or women nurse too infrequently, milk production may begin to diminish. Breastfeeding early and as often as the baby is hungry is important. There are RARE occurrences when a mother produces insufficient amounts of milk but remedies exist.

Once taught how to breastfeed, nursing in public is easy and can even be accomplished while walking around. Women should not be afraid to breastfeed; it is not always painful. Breasts may be tender at the onset of breastfeeding but discomfort subsides once the baby is correctly attached. If pain persists, common medical conditions may be the cause and treatments are readily available by visiting a knowledgeable health care provider.

A good mother attends to her baby's every need. Babies eat a lot and frequently, as they are growing daily and need to gain weight. Failure to thrive is not due to poor milk nutrition but rather inadequate intake. Mothers generally, malnourished or not, produce milk adequate for their babies. They just need to be shown by a professional how to correctly breastfeed and get into a routine that suits their child's eating habits. Breastfeeding in public is crucial for a mother to properly feed her child.

Breasts are everywhere. Covers of magazines. Peeking out of tops. Flaunting on the beach. And, that's fine, but they were intended to nourish offspring. Upcoming generations will surely debate the breastfeeding in public issue, but one fact will remain breastfeeding is best for babies and should be allowed in private and public locations. Perhaps if more women are photographed and publicly breastfeeding, it's tabooness' for the immature will subside.

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