BREAST…..feeding…
Feeding a child from the BREAST…
Receiving nutritious milk from the BREAST..
BREAST: either of the two soft, protruding organs on the upper front of a woman’s body that secrete milk after pregnancy.
WHY does this divinely designed organ receive such a bad rep?
And WHAT’S THE BIG FUSS ABOUT BREASTFEEDING?
Breastfeeding in public has caused an emotional stir for many. Thousands of social media posts addressing the topic shows the lack of support from most citizens, and an aura of disgust.
I have come to the conclusion that we..as humanity..have to formalize a workable solution to this problem. Why? Because more Moms are taking back their natural right to breastfeed..and they’re not stopping because some of us are uneducated on the subject.
And two….well….because the Universe is not going to pause its evolution to cater to those who are complacent in narrow perspectives. The world will continue to advance WITH or WITHOUT us.
This is indeed a sensitive topic that I can look at from many angles.
On one hand, you have the individuals who practice natural thinking. They have been completely unplugged from civilization…naturopaths…and have resumed ancient methods of living…becoming one with nature.
While on the other hand, you have people who have faced traumatized events as children and are battling with hurt inside. What was once natural to them has become impaired..misplaced…disconnected. My heart breaks from this type of abuse in our communities. I empathize with those who struggle to live day to day with a healthy mindset due to exposure at an early age to sexual perversion.
The media doesn’t do any more justice by flashing overly sexualized images across television screens and pushing agendas through subliminal advertising. It’s become normal to see soft porn on regular channels during DAYTIME television. During my childhood, certain visuals were only accessible after dark on premium channels.
So I get it…I’m completely cognizant of reasons why many have become disturbed with the sight of breast or even the WORD BREAST….
It’s a word that some think is inappropriate to say aloud…
It’s apart of the human anatomy that is treated more like an abominable object rather than a beautiful gift bestowed upon womb-man from the beginning…..
But let’s address maybe some unknown facts about breasts and the benefits of breastfeeding….
Did you know that breast contain alveoli and other glands? These components work together to excrete milk in the same way a (female cow) does to feed her calves.
A few Breastfeeding benefits are:
1. A reduced risk of breast cancer.
2. A money saver! Formula is at least $30 a can. Bottles and other feeding items could total up to $300 or more monthly.
3. Mothers can create an eternal bond and closeness with her offspring with the experience of nurturing from the breast. It creates a utopia for the infant. It provides the mother with emotional comfort seeing that the infant relies on her for nutrients. A study from Cambridge University showed a 50% less likely to suffer postnatal depression than non-breastfeeding mothers.
4. Release of melatonin..the body’s natural sleep aid. In the middle of the night when everyone is tired..baby can get fed instantly. Mommy can go back to sleep quicker because of this increased melatonin. And Dad doesn’t have to get out of bed to warm bottles in the middle of the night. So in essence, EVERYONE WINS!
5. Breast-milk melatonin also has anti-oxidant properties to relieve pain. Great for babies with colic.
6. Most importantly it’s called LIQUID GOLD….breast-milk contains antibodies that strengthens newborns’ immune systems..which reduces the need for artificial vaccinations…
Before giving birth, I received unwelcoming comments from mothers who were 20+ years past childbearing or women who had NEVER given birth…saying,
“I wouldn’t breastfeed my child because it’s unsanitary.”
“I just couldn’t see myself letting my child suck on my breast…that’s nasty”
“You’re going to breastfeed? Why?!”
Why is it that other mammals use this organ for its primary purpose, yet when it comes to humans the idea of nurturing from the breast is absolutely absurd?!
While the efforts to raise awareness across social media may have been slightly distasteful (in some eyes), I respect the attempt to soften the awkwardness of such a genuine effort to feed an infant in public without guilt…shame..or barriers.
Why can’t a mother just bottle feed their baby instead of using the breast in public?
Not all mothers are career women who commute daily to the workforce. Many are homemakers and exclusively breastfeeding. That was my case. Babies who have been trained from birth to latch onto their mother’s breast WILL NOT ACCEPT A COUNTERFEIT NIPPLE when feeding.
I repeat, BABIES WHO HAVE BEEN TRAINED FROM BIRTH TO LATCH ONTO THEIR MOTHER’S BREAST WILL NOT ACCEPT A COUNTERFEIT NIPPLE WHEN FEEDING. The nipple from a bottle has a harder texture against the baby’s palate. Training a baby to take a bottle instead of the breast would require months. And even so, the baby always wins. It is ultimately their preference how they choose to be fed.
The time that it takes to try to get the baby to drink from a bottle, because the mother is trying to be “decent” in public, her breast is simultaneously responding to the cries from her infant. The milk will release automatically/involuntarily. And if it’s one of those rushed days when the mother forgets to wear nipple pads, her shirt will get drenched with precious breast-milk. The feeling of wasting ANY drop of milk is distressing to a Mom. Why should she have to experience this hassle? Is that fair because we expect mothers to be “decent in public by not whipping her boobs out”?
Another possible unknown fact…breastfeeding Moms can get extremely engorged, a condition which is more painful than breastfeeding itself! The breast can become inflamed and possibly set up an infection due to the blocked mammary ducts. The only way to release this engorged pressure is to express breast milk. Again, when a child is EXCLUSIVELY breastfeeding, a mother has no choice but to pull out her breast and immediately nurse her child.
Additionally, children sometimes use the breast as a pacifier..especially for teething babies. So if a Mom is having to pull her breast out multiple times, it is not to give you a free peep show. It is because mothers are MORE concerned with soothing their baby without suffocating them with a blanket…than they are concerned with an adult having an issue. And rightfully so!
Most babies hate being covered with blankets while feeding. It makes them sweaty and uncomfortable. And they will end up snatching it off anyway! 😂😂
Having a newborn comes with its own challenges. It’s frustrating enough to have to plan the perfect time to attend social events with a newborn; planning around their sleep and nursing schedule.
Put yourself in a mother’s shoes. Imagine this stress on top of having to worry about others’ opinions of such a natural act…along with the frustration of covering up and taking the breast out multiple times…..back to back….to soothe a fussy child.
Here’s some things that we can do as onlooking citizens to ease the tension…
Instead of making the mother feel uncomfortable..simply turn your eyes to something else as a courtesy, and allow her solitude to calm down her baby.
If your children have questions, don’t make it awkward. Simply educate them on the spot and say, “Hey this is natural for a baby to drink milk from their mommy’s breast.” Perfect learning opportunity. Try giving an example of how animals nurse their babies in the same way. Most children will resume their normal activities after their curiosity is satisfied.
And if that’s not satisfactory, then I guess more can be done by the government to provide clean, comfy, private areas in general population areas for mothers to breastfeed. We could all be an advocate for that if the sight of breast is that bothersome.
To women concerned with their husband or BF staring at a mother’s breast in a sexual way….
Lactating breast have a different appearance than a non-lactating breast. One breast may be larger than the other…sometimes appearing blotchy or swollen. The nipple will have a slight droop because it instinctively assists the baby with latching. The chances of your Man getting aroused at the sight of lactating breast SHOULD be slim to none. If not, then that is a candid conversation the two of you must discuss privately. Security starts there my love…at home. A woman should never place blame on a breastfeeding mother for personal and/or relationship insecurities (IF that applies to you).
In the meantime…De-sexualize your mentality. Educate your family. Train your thoughts to see nature when you see a breast instead of seeing a sex toy. Let US correct our OWN backwards thinking instead of criticizing innocent mothers who are simply providing their children the best nutrients they could receive at such a tender age….as The Creator intended.
NORMALIZE BREASTFEEDING
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