Breastfeeding in Public in America: when will the sexualization end?

Breastfeeding in Public in America: 

when will the sexualization end? 

Every time I hear about a new issue surrounding breastfeeding in public in the great, free country of the United States, I can only shake my head in disbelief and well, shame. How can people, a population of educated (especially when you take into account the entire world) people be so completely idiotic when it comes to breastfeeding?

Most recently, there was a situation with a Hollister store because a woman was nursing her infant in public. Get this though, she was sitting OUTSIDE the Hollister store when the manager came out and berated her for nursing her baby there. Because of this, a nurse-in was organized and many moms nursed their babies in front of stores across the country.

I was happy to read on BabyCenter yesterday that even formula feeding mamas were planning to attend the nurse-in, to show support. One mother said she would be bottle-feeding her baby undercover, because no one would know she wasn't breastfeeding. I LOVE this! I love that all mothers can support this cause. We can work together to take a stand.

BREASTFEEDING IS NORMAL! IT IS NATURAL! 

People need to get over it! 

All that said, I will admit that I am somewhat shy of the idea of nursing in public (wonder why!) and even with a cover, I feel a little awkward. However, after this situation, I think I'm going to make a pretty cover and I'm going to make a point to start nursing in public. I need to get over my own insecurities and do what is natural for my daughter. She will take a bottle, but it's not her favorite. She definitely prefers the breast. I think she prefers it as much for closeness and comfort as she does for sustenance.

Here's the thing. I have two teenaged boys who don't think twice about my breastfeeding my daughter. They are smart enough to know that it's the best thing for the baby and they know it is natural! It isn't sexual in any sense.

Our country is so screwed up when it comes to breastfeeding. I mean, there are disgustingly enormous silicone breasts displayed on television at all hours of the day...I don't even have to watch the Real Housewives of whatever, or Mob Wives to have them in my face. They are in the commercials. They are MEANT to be sexual. Seriously, I can understand enhancing a little, but let's be real. If a woman's tits are so large that they  no longer give when she moves (much like her Botoxed face), then they are MEANT to be sexual. She is desperate for attention.

This is so far from the concept of breastfeeding that they need not even be compared. However, with the sexualization of a baby eating from her mother, I feel they must be compared. All mammals feed from their mothers.

Reality check: Humans are mammals.
Funny thing? We are supposed to be evolved enough to realize this...but this evolution has only caused us problems. I mean, we're the ONLY mammals that have a problem with mothers feeding their offspring the natural way...with our breasts.

I don't see cows being antagonized, abused, berated, or belittled by other cows or bulls in the field when their calves latch on to feed!

I've never seen a silver-back gorilla scream at a female for feeding her baby without a cover or in front of his frolicking area of the jungle (or in my case...his area of the enclosure at the zoo).

I've never read about whales complaining because a mother whale is feeding her calf while swimming past them.

We are so evolved, aren't we?

How does America compare to other countries when it comes to breastfeeding? I'm curious.

Here's a film you might consider: Latching On: The Politics of Breastfeeding in America
I hope it is on Netflix. I'd like to check it out. The link above has a synopsis of the film.

Breastfeeding Report Card from the CDC
This doesn't compare us to other countries, but it has a lot of interesting data.

Here are women from outside the U.S., casually nursing their babies. 

from: www.wikipedia.com

photo from: http://www.hardrainproject.com/hrpl?n=9232

Woman from Venezuela. I love how comfy they look in this picture!

http://www.superstock.com/stock-photos-images/1792-73393

Celebrities are breastfeeding as well. 

Angelina Jolie

www.pinterest.com

(no other source listed)

Here is a source for 10 breastfeeding celebrities: 

Celebrity moms breastfeed in public

www.doublethink.us.com

One of my favorite breastfeeding mamas is Pink, who has always been very vocal about her right to feed her baby anytime, any place. 

Too bad we don't all have the celebrity status to back us, but still, kudos to her! 

Breast is best! 

I leave you with my motto: 

REED

R- research in order to...

E- educate yourself so you can be...

E- Empowered...

D- to Discuss

My challenge: 

I will try to breastfeed in public

Who am I kidding, I don't even breastfeed in front of guests in my home, unless it's a family member. 

I really have a long way to go with this, but I am up for the challenge. 

I need to make a nursing cover, so I'll feel a little better. 

I hope to be like a woman I saw at the zoo recently who nursed her beautiful little girl on a low retaining wall. She simply covered the top part of her breast with her free hand. She was so confident. 

So beautifully confident. 

I admired her.