Breastfeeding Rant

Ok all, this post departs from my usual theme.  Warning:  There is a picture of a woman breastfeeding her child down below.  It should be far enough down so that hopefully you won't see it right away when you read this and will have the option to scroll down to see it or not.  I encourage you to do so, though, as it has a (rather lengthy) message written over the top that I find very powerful.

Before I start, I want to say this:  There are many different reasons why some women choose not to breastfeed their child, and I'm not judging anyone who makes that choice. 

But I am not afraid to say that I believe, and it has been proven scientifically, that breastfeeding is by far the better choice for children, both babies and toddlers.  The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends breastfeeding for at least a year, and the World Health Organization recommends it for two years and beyond.  Formula cannot compare.  No matter how many vitamins and minerals they put in formula, it absolutely cannot compare to breastmilk.  Not only are the nutrients much less bioavailable (a baby cannot absorb nearly the amount that is actually put into the formula), but it is much harder for a baby to digest and it does not contain any of the antibodies that breastmilk does that helps build a child's immune system.  Studies have shown that breastmilk adapts to a child's needs, both babies and toddlers.  For example, did you know that the amount of antibodies in breastmilk increases around age 9 months and into toddlerhood?  At exactly the age that babies begin to be mobile and put everything in their mouths.  And that's just one example.

If you scroll down to the picture, you will see the kind of crap some people give breastfeeding women.  It is absolutely horrible.  There is NO scientific evidence whatsoever that breastfeeding into toddlerhood is detrimental to a child's future emotional/mental well-being.

Also, there are laws in most states specifically protecting a woman's right to breastfeed her child in public.  Wisconsin law states:

253.16 Right to breast-feed. A mother may breast-feed her child in any public or private location where the mother and child are otherwise authorized to be. In such a location, no person may prohibit a mother from breast-feeding her child, direct a mother to move to another location to breast-feed her child, direct a mother to cover her child or breast while breast-feeding, or otherwise restrict a mother from breast-feeding.

I also looked up breastfeeding laws in your state (the states of anyone I can think of who could possibly be reading this blog), and each of them has similar laws.  Illinois even gives a woman the right to bring legal action against anyone who breaks this law.

Please know this:  most women who breastfeed in public are doing their best to discreet.  Very few women are out to show their boobs, whether they cover up or not.  I personally feel more comfortable without a cover.  Not only does a cover practically scream "Naked breasts under here!!!", but between blindly messing with my shirt and a wiggly baby, I end up flashing people more often than without a cover because it doesn't stay put, no matter how hard I try.  I find it very sad indeed that most of American society loves to see women's breasts until they are being used for their number one intended purpose.  I also find it sad that people who have the guts to approach a breastfeeding woman because they believe that showing breasts is indecent do not approach women who wear revealing clothing and often show more of their breasts than the breastfeeding mother.

All that being said, here's the picture:

I probably wouldn't use some of the words myself (the last statement, for example), but it gives a good summary of the nasty things that people say to breastfeeding moms and the things that breastfeeding women often suffer through trying to persevere with breastfeeding because they know it's best for their children.  I personally intend to breastfeed Peanut and any other children I may have for as long as it is mutually desired by both of us, my goal being at least a year (and hopefully longer).

If you've made it this far in my post, thank you for taking the time to read it.  I believe that there are many misconceptions about breastfeeding that lead to some of these attitudes, and I'm out to educate.  I hope I've accomplished my goal.  I truly and wholeheartedly welcome any comments, whether you agree or disagree.  However, I reserve the right to attempt to further educate. :)

End of rant. :)