Breastfeeding referred to as "that" as if it is some dirty word, a topic so unclean its name cannot be said.
"Do you have to do THAT?"
"I don't want to see you do THAT?"
"When are you going to quit THAT?"
"Can you do THAT somewhere else?"
I, as a breastfeeding mother, find THAT insulting. My child is doing THAT for survival. My child is doing THAT for comfort. My child is doing THAT because it is natural.
It is language like THAT, that keeps breastfeeding in a negative light. And when the that attitude is taken to the extremes, breastfeeding mothers and their breastfed children suffer.
When people in power do not want to see THAT, or hear about THAT, or know that a mother is doing THAT, policies get put in place to ban THAT.
Yes, I said BAN. Which is what has happened in Georgia. An entire county has decided to ban breastfeeding on school property.
Teachers cannot breastfeed their children. Teen mothers cannot breastfeed their children. No one can breastfeed a child on school property.
Their option is to pump "THAT and take it home" as per the superintendent of the Dougherty Count Schools.
There's that word again. THAT. Why must it be THAT? Why can't it be breast milk? Why can't it be breastfeeding? Why the disgust with a natural thing? And why is that school board allowed to ban breastfeeding mothers from breastfeeding their children?
I am angered by the policy. I am angry at the people who think that breastfeeding is ban worthy. Schools ban drugs. Schools ban alcohol. School ban weapons. Schools ban things that are bad. Breastfeeding is not bad. Breastfeeding is not going to hurt the students. Breastfeeding is not going to interrupt the learning process. Breastfeeding should not be banned from schools.
If anything, it will help normalize a natural process that has become stigmatized as dirty, disgusting and wrong. Breastfeeding is none of those things. But if people continue to see it negatively and treat it as such, every generation is going to increase their disdain for breastfeeding. Breastfeeding mothers should be supported not banned.
Breastfeeding is as natural as breathing. Are they going to ban breathing next? Of course not, breathing is not THAT, breathing is natural and needed for survival.
24 comments:
We had this same discussion on facebook yesterday. In Florida we have a law that protects breastfeeding in public. Sad that a law had to be passed but it was and breastfeeding mothers everywhere have rejoiced. I would think a ban in schools wouldn't be necessary because as far as I knew, babies weren't allowed at schools. I don't think we have any school here, besides homeschool, that allows the teacher and/or students to even bring their babies, much less feed them. My concern, as a mother of a 14 year old boy, would be the modesty issue. My son is just starting to understand the female body parts and become aroused by them. I can explain breastfeeding and the natural aspect of it until I'm blue in the face, but once the boob comes out all the training is out the window and his teenage puberty takes over. I would never agree with a ban but I would think school time is for school, not for babies. But I guess the bigger question is, why would they ban breastfeeding but not ban pumping? If you have to go to a "hidden" area to pump couldn't you also go to that same area to breastfeed? Weird!
I think that the above comment exemplifies the problem. Yes teen aged boys want to see boobs but why should a mother be denied the ability to feed their babies because the knowledge that a breast exist under a women's shirt. Guess what, you son has both seen a boob and really does not need to see one to get aroused.
Banning of babies on campus due to distraction is understandable to the point that teen moms shouldn't have them with them all day while in class (or work) but if the baby can be brought to the mother why not allow her to breastfeed (during lunch, dead period etc...)?
If they simply banned babies from school during instructional hours, I could understand that at least. But that's not what they did. They banned breastfeeding from school property, at all times, by anyone. So a mother can bottle-feed her baby at this school, but not breastfeed. A mother can pump, but not breastfeed.
If I am a parent of a student at that school, and I also have a baby whom I am breastfeeding, and say I have an appointment to meet with the principal or guidance counselor about my older child, are you telling me I shouldn't be able to breastfeed my baby while on school premisis? Ridiculous! What if I bring my baby with me to my older child's sporting event or band concert - I can't breastfeed because I'm on campus? There are tons of situations in which babies may be brought on-campus during non-instructional hours. But even during the school day, why shouldn't a caretaker be able to bring a baby to nurse during a lunch or free period? Whether that be a teacher or a student's baby. We are not talking about bring baby into the classroom, but if there is a private room for pumping, why can't it be used for nursing too?
*Due to Blogger being down, this comment was lost out in Blogger space. I have saved it and reposted for your benefit!*
Alicia @ Lactation Narration said,
If they simply banned babies from school during instructional hours, I could understand that at least. But that's not what they did. They banned breastfeeding from school property, at all times, by anyone. So a mother can bottle-feed her baby at this school, but not breastfeed. A mother can pump, but not breastfeed.
If I am a parent of a student at that school, and I also have a baby whom I am breastfeeding, and say I have an appointment to meet with the principal or guidance counselor about my older child, are you telling me I shouldn't be able to breastfeed my baby while on school premisis? Ridiculous! What if I bring my baby with me to my older child's sporting event or band concert - I can't breastfeed because I'm on campus? There are tons of situations in which babies may be brought on-campus during non-instructional hours. But even during the school day, why shouldn't a caretaker be able to bring a baby to nurse during a lunch or free period? Whether that be a teacher or a student's baby. We are not talking about bring baby into the classroom, but if there is a private room for pumping, why can't it be used for nursing too?
I can't even begin to express how frustrating this is. I feel bad for moms who have to deal with the ignorant choices made by those who are uneducated about the wonderful benefits of breastfeeding. I breastfeed my son in public, and get comments, mostly 'are you done'? Which I ignore. It's my body, and my baby's MEAL. Maybe someone should take away the governing body's food supply for a few days and see how THEY feel about being deprived.
Greetings from Malaysia, hopping in from Bloggy Moms. Good post!
I am totally supportive of breastfeeding and tried my best to advice and share my experience and what I know and read about it to friends who are expecting so that they are aware of the benefits of it.
The latest thing that irks me about breastfeeding is being told that it's weird that I did not have my menses for 2 years while breastfeeding and that I should go see a doctor for a check up. Talk about ignorant people who knows nothing and pretends they know best!
Wonder what these same people will say if they find out I'm still breastfeeding my 25 months old boy and that I'm currently in my 2nd trimester? ;)
~ Jenny (http://www.imafulltimemummy.com/)
I don't see breastfeeding as a problem! It's a natural thing to do! People have been doing that ever since mankind existed!
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Mimi @ DeyiMizu Beauty Blog
This coming from a mother who CHOSE to formula feed her first. (I will breastfeed this next one)
That's terrible... Seriously. It is natural, animals do it. Are they going to go out into the woods at the school and tell the rabbits they can't nurse their babies?
They're on school property?
Why don't animals have an alternative to breastfeeding? Because they don't give up.
I think school superintendent's should know that breastfeeding is natural and it should be allowed to be done. Even on school premises. Even though I formula fed my daughter, I never looked at a breastfeeding mother and thought it was disgusting or gross or even 'that' It was natural...
I think the tizzy over breastfeeding is insane and kind of schizophrenic. If there's something about a woman's body that is overtly and in-your-face sexual, that's just fine, on TV at all hours, in music, on the streets, you name it. If a woman is trying to feed her baby, it's inappropriate and obscene. Can you explain how people reconcile those two perspectives? I sure can't.
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Kristin :)
I totally agree with Kristin!
Talk about a double standard...how is nursing in public "indecent" when girls are allowed to strut through the schools exposing way more of themselves and drawing more sexual attention than breastfeeding ever could!
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Johanna at Mama Chocolate
Family life, tips for mom, reviews, giveaways and more
I think it is an absurd thing to ban FEEDING YOUR CHILD! I have breastfed both of my children, and while I have never encountered any outward opposition, I have seen the looks on peoples faces when I say I bf. It blows my mind that people are really that opposed to something that is a natural, healthy, and extremely beneficial way of feeding your child.
Stopping by from the Alexa hop...
um, isn't that totally illegal? I see a major lawsuit in the future..
and whenever anyone asked me why I breastfed in public, I simply told those people that since I didn't eat my dinner hiding in a corner I didn't expect my children to...
People are so ridiculous, how about don't look at me, and honestly, most moms I know are discreet anyway...
oh, you got me so fired up I almost forgot-here from the hop
wow! How are those babies going to get the best start if their moms can't even breastfeed them. Its hard enough to get teen moms to breastfeed and do the right thing sometimes, but when the pick that right thing you ban it. Not good!
Here from the hop: http://arizonamama-fancygrlnancy.blogspot.com/2011/05/wordless-wednesday-or-not-walk-with-me.html
I also am a mom that does THAT and I thankfully live in a community and state that is okay with it. I am sorry for what you are having to go through.
Goodness, if I can't nurse my baby there, I better not see a bottle ;)
Wow. How appalling that a school board would do such a thing! I am a public school teacher and I have breastfed on school property while I was still on maternity leave, but wanted to visit my colleagues. How sad. :(
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~Holly
Twins Plus One, Three Times the Fun
oh how sad, why couldn't they support women instead and provide a breastfeeding space for them to do THAT privately!
That is very upsetting. I breastfed my daughter and we encountered enough flack without people trying to ban us!!
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wow, that is ridiculous! I'm from GA, down here in Clinch County. I'm afraid that if one school board bans breastfeeding then others will follow suit. How sad.
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That's just ridiculous. As a bf-ing mom, I have personally never had a problem breastfeeding my baby anywhere- and hope i never do (because I would throw a fit!) It just saddens me to see things like this.
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Chase’s View
Thank you for making a stand on an issue that's is apparently fairly controversial. I had no idea and I don't see why it's such a deal!
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Michelle @ Things Sent My Way
I LOVE the comment from Not A Perfect Mom!
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Great Post!!!!!! I so agree! We have a law protecting nursing in public too.
I still don't understand why people see THAT as such an abnormal thing. I've breastfed my daughter since day 1 and today she turned 6 months and I unfortunately continue to get comments from family members as to when I am going to stop doing THAT. Many people see it as something barbaric and primitive. It's what happens when people are ignorant to all the benefits that THAT brings to both mom and baby. Anyways, great blog! I shall be following you. I'd appreciate a follow as well. http://www.lauralomeli.com
Totally agree with Kristin and Mama Chocolate. Teenagers at the local high school show off way more than I ever did while breastfeeding.
It is just nonsense. I find it disgusting that an opinionated person has so much power in the school system to 'ban' feeding your child in public.
Great article!
Anna
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