Dear Bill Maher, Facebook and Others Who Never Matured Past Seventh Grade,
In some of the arguments against breastfeeding I've heard it likened to masturbating, urinating and defecating in public.
As someone who spent 26 months of her life breastfeeding, I can assure you it feels NOTHING like masturbating. But even if it did, the point of breastfeeding is FEEDING. Breastfeeding is not some twisted way women get off, it is a way for babies to EAT. The best way, in fact.
That's why it's different from urinating, defecating and any other private acts people talk about. No one does those things in public. I don't change my babies' diapers in public either. Why? Because PEOPLE DON'T PEE IN PUBLIC.
People do eat in public and there's no reason for babies to be any different. If knowing that my baby is sucking on my nipple makes YOU uncomfortable, that's YOUR problem. I am personally uncomfortable with people who pray in public, but I'm not going around trying to stop them. I know that it's MY issue, not theirs.
I remember when a former colleague of mine came back from maternity leave. I asked her how breastfeeding was going and she blushed bright red and said, "It was too hard." Now, this was a very modest, innocent until marriage kind of girl. But also a devoted mother. I eventually found out that even though she knew breastfeeding was best for her baby and she had wanted to, it was too "embarrassing for her family."
Why were they embarrassed? Because of people like you. And you know what, I'm REALLY offended by it. Next time I see you in a restaurant, I'd prefer it if you'd go eat in the bathroom.
Sincerely,
TripleZmom
3 comments:
you are super mom!
I really do admire all that you've said here. I did not breast feed and had my own issues, etc, but I do know it is best for babies. I love the way you have approached this and your ending line is GREAT!
applause! applause! :)
Silken - Thank you! It was kind of fun to be on a soapbox instead of bemoaning my incompetence. :)
Well put, Jen! Thank you for speaking up for all of us breastfeeding moms and babies! :)
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