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Breastfeeding in public
Compare and contrast breastfeeding in public
Breastfeeding in public
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What could possibly be wrong about a mother nourishing her child? Absolutely nothing. Many people view a woman's breasts as sexual items. The main purpose of breasts Is to breastfeed a child after birth. I came across The Milk Truck while back. The Milk Truck is there “to create a mobile breastfeeding unit that allows mothers to feed their babies in places where they have been discouraged - restaurants, shopping malls, public spaces, etc. Babies should be able to eat anywhere, and everywhere". I am absolutely for breastfeeding in public. Breastfeeding is when a woman feeds her child from her breast. Breastfeeding has been around since before the 15th century. In addition to strengthening the bond between a mother and her baby, breastfeeding offers a number of benefits for both a mother and her child. Babies who are breastfed have lower risk of meningitis, various cancers, diabetes, respiratory illnesses, bacterial and viral infections, childhood leukemia, allergies and obesity. Mothers have a reduced risk of breast and ovarian cancer, as well as osteoporosis. All mothers no matter where they are weather it be the mall, park, restaurant, or just out running errands need to have their right to breastfeed protected. Some people don't particularly like seeing a woman breastfeed. It makes them feel "uncomfortable". Woman are asked to leave the room or to stop breastfeeding by those who feel uncomfortable. Breasts are viewed as sexual items rather than a natural way of providing nutrients and comfort for a child. Some people are against public breastfeeding because they don't want to explain what is going on to their child. Woman are often told that their child is to old to be breastfed. It is no ones business but the mothers how... ... middle of paper ... ...s miss less work. If people were more accepting of the perfectly normal act that is breastfeeding; it would become so normal that it would no longer be seen as a problem or be made a big deal of and women wouldn't be so afraid to breastfeed their children. Breastfeeding in public needs to become a regular thing; so it is not deemed unusual and made a big deal of. There is no valid reason as to why a woman should be denied the right to breastfeed her child in public. Works Cited The American Academy of Pediatrics retrieved from http://www2.aap.org/breastfeeding/faqsbreastfeeding.html on November 13, 2013. Baby Center.com Retrieved from http://www.babycenter.com/404_is-it-legal-to-breastfeed-in-public_8939.bc on November 13, 2013. Opposing Views retrieved From http://www.opposingviews.com/arguments/breastfeeding-in-public-benefits-everyone# on November 13, 2013
The article shortly summarizes new findings of a study published in the scholarly journal Social Science & Medicine, conducted by Assistant Professor of sociology at the Ohio State University Cynthia Colen. The Times Magazine article describes the research done by Colen as a longitudinal study using three populations of 8,237 children, 7,319 siblings and 1,773 paired siblings as its sample where one sibling was breast-fed while the other was not. Sifferlin stated there were eleven outcomes during the study used to determine the impact breast feeding had on the population. The eleven outcomes derived from prior research. The author of the article interpreted the findings of the study and the findings of previous studies of related topics.
What are the benefits of breastfeeding, you might be wondering? Well for starters breast milk is very crucial for a newborn. Not only does it feed and
benefits for both the mother and the child. Many researchers have concluded that breast milk helps improve overall infant health and reduces risks of some diseases and cancers for the infant as well as the mother. According to Newman and Pitman, there are numerous health benefits for a breastfed infant. They describe that breast milk contains anti-bodies that keep a child from getting ill, and that the milk’s composition changes as the child grows to better protect and benefit the immune system and growth of the child (Newman, Pitman 19). The most immediate health benefit for the infant is the reduction of the chances of an infant dying from sudden infant death syndrome, more commonly known as SIDS or crib death (Newman, Pitman 11). More long term benefits are reductions for the chances of a child developing diabetes, asthma and other respiratory diseases, ear infections, and even cancer development during childhood. There is also evidence of a reduced chance of a breastfed child developing Crohn’s disease or forms of heart disease, as well as minor health problems such as allergies and eczema (Newman, Pitman 11-12). Newman and Pitman also write that children who were breastfed show signs of more enhanced brain development and tend to score higher on tests than those children who were formula fed, due to the fact that breast milk is made for humans by humans and therefore already contains the nutrients that are essential to brain development (10). As is the case with infants, breastfeeding also contributes to health benefits for the mother. In an article published in the Journal of Women’s Health, God...
There is no need to run out to the store to buy formula, bottles, or burp cloths. Breastfed babies do not spit up as often because breast milk is easier on the belly and the baby will not ingest the air that a bottle fed baby does. That means fewer outfit changes and less laundry. Although feeding in public may be easier for a formula fed baby, a lot of awesome things to make breastfeeding in public easier and more discreet have been created. There are nursing tank tops so that mom's belly stays covered and nursing cover ups which are light weight blankets that moms can wear to keep themselves covered while still being able to see baby. Most public places are beginning to put nursing stations in as well. Also, there is no need to mess with fumbling around in the kitchen to prepare a bottle at 3 AM for a crying baby that is hungry. Breast milk is always available and warm. The American Pregnancy Association recommends breastfeeding for most families in the article “Breastfeeding vs. Bottle Feeding” (2017, May 16). -www.americanpregnancy.org
Let me begin with this. Public breastfeeding is NOT exhibitionism. It is simply the act of feeding a baby. Nonetheless, women are still facing widespread discrimination in public for doing so.
There many advantages to breastfeeding! Research shows that breastfed infants have fewer and shorter episodes of illness. The nutrition provided by breastmilk benefits the baby’s IQ. The skin-to-skin contact encouraged by breastfeeding offers babies greater emotional security and enhances bonding. Breastfeeding appears to reduce the risk of obesity and hypertension for the infant later in life. Breastfeeding delays the onset of hereditary allergic disease, and lowers the risk of developing allergic disease. Breastfeeding helps the baby’s immune system mature, protecting the baby in the meantime from viral, bacteria, and parasitic infections. Breastfeeding protects against developing chronic diseases such as: celiac disease, inflammatory bowel disease, asthma, and childhood cancers. (Shinskie and Lauwers, 2002)
Instead of being criticized they would rather use breast pumps or go sit in the restroom to avoid the hate. Some might say “it’s against the law to be nude in public, so breastfeeding in public should be illegal too” (McKinney). Being nude makes people around very uncomfortable but feeding an infant shouldn’t make anyone uncomfortable. Exposed breasts are everywhere, all over the media: in movies, magazines, and even on television. But putting a nursing baby anywhere near those women's breast and suddenly people are offended. Yes, breast are a woman's private part but women don't flaunt them around while breastfeeding to show off. Some mothers would rather use a blanket to cover themselves up while breastfeeding than to have sexually or disgusted comments directed to her. Others believe “formula was made for these reasons” (Campoamor). People suggest mothers using baby formula and breast pumps, but sometimes a mother would rather have this intimacy with her child. These mothers cannot have this with people staring at her chest with a child feeding with disgust written all over their face. Formula is a good suggestion but bottles and formula can be expensive over years and years of buying. Researchers believe breast milk is better and easier for an infant to digest and helps an infant fight off many diseases. Babies who are on formula actually have more ear infections and diarrhea which can be less doctor appointments in the long run. Rude comments might be said like “go do that in the restroom or at home” (Campoamor). Restrooms can contain up to billions of germs and aren't the most sanitary place to be with an infant. Mothers deal with tons of stress and pressure from people who don’t put themself in their shoes. Others may have different views and opinions which they have the right to but, they should always be curious of others. A good suggestion
Breastfeeding also gives you more time to spend with your baby. Breastfeeding is something special only you are able to share with your baby. Some might find this as selfish or some might think they couldn’t emotionally handle being the only one able to feed baby. However, I see this as a special, beautiful experience only you can give your child. Someday when your child is grown and doesn’t need you to thrive, you will look back on these special moments that only you and your child could share with each other. With all the fancy breast pumps on the market today, a mother can easily pump milk for her child when away. My breast pump is like my best friend, without it I wouldn’t be able to leave my child for more than a couple hours. The great
Women do not breastfeed long enough. Although healthcare workers try to promote the breast method, many women do not continue with it. Breastfeeding does come with challenges; however, the phrase “breast is best” is the role of the nurse in conjunction with education. A mother a...
Kate Miller-Watson wrote an article that is abundant in material and reasons for, why not to breastfeed in public but also sympathizes with the rights of breastfeeding mothers and offers tips on how to prevent conflict while doing so. Miller-Wattson sources "Debat.com" where there has been a poll done where thirty-four percent of people voted that nursing in public is inappropriate. From this poll she collectively made a list of five arguments on the topic of breastfeeding in public-indecent, dangerous, awkward social interactions, intimate act that has no place in public and public nursing may not be
There are so many reasons to fear or be concerned about the tomorrows of our world, but if there were a solution to some of the health problems what would the choice be for most? Would it be to continue in the downward pattern of destruction or would it be something better to help all? In most cases many people state that training starts in the home and what, but a good way to start with none other than our children. So why not consider breast milk? Breastfeeding can start as soon as the child is born. With the protection of breast milk the overall focus on disease, illness and sickness would be half the battle. Breast milk provides many benefits and the dietary influence it has on disease is too great to be compared to.
Breastfeeding provides a wide array of health benefits for both baby and mother, while simultaneously enhancing the bond between mom and her baby. Mothers who breastfeed have a lower risk of ovarian and pre-menopausal breast cancer. Their babies see a boost in cognitive development, as well as lowering their chances of being obese as adults, unlike formula fed babies. Consequently, a lower risk of obesity correlates to a lower incident of a wide array of comorbidities such as
“Would You Eat Breast Milk Cheese?” (Hamm, 2010). I have shown this headline to multiple people and have received the same reaction from everyone. Most of these people I work with at a daycare. We all handle and serve breast milk on a daily basis. Also we watch mothers nurse their infants. Yet, the reaction did not surprise me, even with this comfort level with human breast milk. This reaction falls along the line of disgust and shock. One person even reacted with a sharp reply of “I DID NOT NEED TO SEE THAT!” There is something about the thought of consuming human breast milk that makes people squirm.
Women need to stop being scolded and frowned upon for using their bodies in a way they are meant to be used. Breast feeding is a good example of this. Many people frown upon breast feeding, mainly in public. They say that such a sight makes them uncomfortable. However, what about breast feeding makes people uncomfortable? It cannot solely be the sight of a woman’s breast, because often times, people are still uncomfortable when it is covered, simply because they know that it is under there. Perhaps the reason for the uncomfortableness that is experienced when seen that a woman is breast feeding in public is caused by the connection often made between women’s breasts and sexual acts. However, women have breasts for the sole purpose of feeding their child, and the objectification of women’s breasts as “toys” has created this uncomfortableness when women use their breasts for their original and proper purpose.
Breastfeeding is such a natural process. It is one of the best gifts a mother can give her child. Breastfeeding is such a great gift that is just keeps on giving all throughout a child’s life. Breast milk is a good source of protein and high in calories. The breast milk boosts the immune system, allows the child to grow big and strong, and even makes them smarter. Despite all of these positive aspects of breastfeeding, when people see a mother in public breastfeeding her child, they become a little disgusted. Breastfeeding in public is legal in the United States of America. Although, some people would rather it not be. People have left restaurants, told the mother to relocate to the restroom, and even suggested the mother to stay home during the duration, all because she was breastfeeding her child. Breastfeeding in public is natural, creates a bond between the mother and child, and is a civil right. It creates a healthy life style for the child and should not be interfered with by the public.