Comments on: Respect the Breast

By: Pantherwisdom

Pantherwisdom — Tue, 15 Feb 2011 03:22:00 +0000

I’d say to those who have issues; if you don’t want to see, don’t look. No one is making you gawk at them.

You’re right, there is no excuse for trying to make a mother feed her child on a toilet.

By: Allison

Allison — Tue, 11 Aug 2009 20:45:04 +0000

Love it! Just posted it to my blog!!

By: Theresa

Theresa — Wed, 05 Aug 2009 05:59:18 +0000

I think the way you do, but you are braver to say it!

I quite agree even though I am more conservative. Inside there is just a part of me that wishes people would get over it.

By: Luanne Bradley

Luanne Bradley — Tue, 04 Aug 2009 18:54:47 +0000

Good post Sarah!
I remember coming home from the hospital and my dad and brother being so uncomfortable with the breast feeding because they had never been exposed to it before. I think for some, it confuses how they see the breast: for their own pleasure rather than for feeding our babies. Also, it is important to point out that breast milk can be one of the most toxic substances in the eco world because of our bodies being exposed to chemicals (i.e. The Story of Stuff: http://www.storyofstuff.com/ This video explains it well.

We all have to work toward eradicating exposure and making the milk as pure as possible. I do have to say breastfeeding was one of the miracles of the entire birth experience. It brought us closer and also was a great tool after a doctor’s visit or other times to calm the babies down.

By: Sarah Irani

Sarah Irani — Tue, 04 Aug 2009 18:50:49 +0000

Another thing I forgot to mention (this post could easily turn into an essay), women have been arrested for “indecent exposure”, even when covering up with a blanket. Thankfully, many of those women used it as an impetus to get legal protection for public breastfeeding in their state!

By: Sarah Irani

Sarah Irani — Tue, 04 Aug 2009 18:38:48 +0000

By the way, thanks for putting that beautiful picture up! Breastfeeding really is an incredibly beautiful, bonding experience. 🙂

By: Sarah Irani

Sarah Irani — Tue, 04 Aug 2009 18:37:40 +0000

I have nursed in restaurants and have never been hassled, but a friend of mind, tucked away in a back booth and covered with a blanket, was once asked to stop nursing in a restaurant. Ridiculous! That’s what really inspired me to write this post. I myself have only received a few awkward glances, but mostly people are pretty cool. Of course, I live in a fairly progressive town too.

What I really wanted to do was open up a conversation and get some people thinking.

I remember traveling in Peru and seeing a woman breastfeeding in the mercado, with no blanket to cover, she was completely bare. And even though Peru is an extremely macho culture, with men always ogling women’s bodies, this was a time where nobody even blinked an eye. A mother always has a right to do her motherly thing, and it just isn’t a big deal to anyone. I was inspired by that attitude.

By: Dopey LaRue

Dopey LaRue — Tue, 04 Aug 2009 17:51:46 +0000

Well said!

By: Larraine

Larraine — Tue, 04 Aug 2009 16:52:45 +0000

What a shame that some people are upset by a woman feeding her child in public. It’s a perfect relationship and should be applauded.

By: Kim Derby

Kim Derby — Tue, 04 Aug 2009 16:15:08 +0000

Thanks Sarah – you wrote a simple post that states the simple facts. I’m not yet a mother and my mother didn’t breastfeed me, but I’m having a difficult time finding words…
Please have some respect. It’s a baby being fed by its mother. What could be more beautiful and precious than that?!
Caitlin said it best, “I really think we need to get over ourselves.”