My other annoyance

I was on the phone yesterday with my mom when an article and debate came onto Fox News. I very impolitely tuned out my mom and started listening with fervor when a topic near and dear to my heart popped up, breastfeeding.

It appears that Barbara Walters stated on The View, that she was "uncomfortable" and "nervous" sitting next to a woman breastfeeding on a plane. I was shocked to find out that she isn't the only one out there and that as militant as some women are about breastfeeding (I never classified myself as such, but am reconsidering it now), some have equally strong feelings the other way.

One of the debaters on Fox News stated that seeing a child breastfeed in public is akin to seeing that child conceived. Come on now, is seeing a baby eating really compared to seeing intercourse? If that is the case, she has some SERIOUS issues.

The solution they offered is that if a baby needs to eat, this should be done only in private. Barbara Walters said that the woman should have taken the baby to the lavatory to nurse. Have YOU ever been in there? Do YOU eat your dinner while sitting on the toilet? And well, my biggest issue with this is that they suggest a baby eat during take off and landing to get their ears to pop, so they don't scream the entire time. I am not supposed to be up and walking around and definitely NOT in the lavatory with my baby at this time. If it bothers YOU so much, you can move to the lavatory. And exactly how long should I sit in the lavatory? Leif nurses for 15 minutes at a time usually. People will be really thrilled with me blocking the lavatory for that long.

I am not a militant breastfeeder. I don't relish the idea of exposing myself to strangers. I don't seek opportunities to expose myself. But if I do nurse in public, it is because Leif needs it. I do it discreetly and Leif is big enough now that he covers my stomach while nursing. (Shall we talk about exposed tummies?? I see a whole hell of a lot more exposed walking around at the mall on young skanks. But I digress...)

I sat in the doctor's office the other day nursing Leif in the waiting room. He was fussy and hungry and the office was running late. I was nursing him discreetly enough that no one around me even noticed. I know this because an old codger about 80, came in and sat down 2 seats away from me and struck up a conversation. I think he was a little shocked when we were called back and I reached into my shirt to delatch Leif.

Breastfeeding is recommended by the American Academy of Pediatrics exclusively for 6 months and then supplemented with solids until 1 year. The WHO recommends breastfeeding for 2 years, which btw, I will not be striving for, but that's my decision. It is the most ideal food, and best of all, it is free. In a country that is so health conscious, why jump back to the 50's with such archane beliefs?

I have heard fantastic tales from people close to me about breastfeeding. From it causes divorce, to my husband being told that HE needs to tell me to stop, because he is evidently my keeper. Some others have told me that Leif won't like the taste of milk (I hated it and I was never breastfed), that it keeps them from sleeping through the night (wrong, that has to do with an individual baby), and that the babies ONLY need it for the first few weeks to get the "good stuff"...

Much of this I believe stems from people not being familiar with it, I give them that, when I was 16 I thought it was gross when I saw a woman with very large breasts, fully exposed (seriously) in a restaurant nursing while eating breakfast. Just because I breastfeed, does not mean that I am critical of others who don't or chose not to, especially in previous generations where scientific evidence stated that it was not the best thing for ones baby. I try hard NOT to be critical of others in today's world who choose not to breastfeed. Many more women are unable to for some reason or another.

I am lucky, breastfeeding has gone quite well for us. I am nearing 11 months and at 1 year, Leif will probably be weaning. Just this weekend it was hard to slow him down to nurse, so I have a feeling weaning will not be difficult, aside from emotionally.

So everyone do me a favor... when you see a woman breastfeeding, don't worry about saying anything to her (even in support), if she is like me she doesn't want to be talked to right then. Don't glare if you disapprove, she is doing what is best for her baby and most times keeping the child from screaming for your hearing comfort. And before you say something stupid, like go nurse in the bathroom, think about your own insecurities.

Nobody has a right to not be offended, Barbara Walters included.