In the news: Lactivists!

August 1st-7th is World Breastfeeding Week and “Lactivists,” the term used to describe those who advocate for a woman’s right to nurse wherever she needs to, are in the news. 

While gatherings are being held all over the world to celebrate breastfeeding and its benefits, CNN recently ran a story about the continued lack of acceptance in America for mothers nursing in public places.  Despite the fact that breastfeeding is gaining support from the government and medical community, the CNN article notes that “Americans are squeamish over a nursing breast.”

On a personal note, the first time that I breastfed my son, Javi, in public I think we ended up with more milk on my stomach than in his!  I was trying to position him correctly without the help of his trusty Boppy pillow or the supportive arms of our usual rocking chair.  On top of that I was doing this “blind” with Javi completely covered by a cumbersome and all-too-obvious baby blanket.  He kicked the blanket in protest, and we both sweat profusely until I finally gave up and threw the blanket into the stroller. Although I lost most of my self-consciousness about breast-feeding in public after I became more comfortable with nursing in general, the self-consciousness returned when my nursing infant became my nursing toddler and I felt a societal pressure to keep our nursing private.   

One sign of America’s Puritanical streak with regard to breast-feeding is the number of complaints received about a recent cover photo on Babytalk magazine, a free publication read primarily by mothers with babies.  According to the CNN article, one quarter of the 4,000 readers polled had a negative reaction to the photo of a baby nursing at a woman’s breast, calling it inappropriate.  CNN further reported that, “In a survey published in 2004 by the American Dietetic Association, less than half -- 43 percent -- of 3,719 respondents said women should have the right to breast-feed in public places.”  Despite this finding, most states now have laws guaranteeing mothers the right to nurse where they choose.

I never considered myself a Lactivist before reading the CNN article, but I’m embracing the term publicly here at dot-moms.  I strongly believe that women should not have to feel self-conscious about nursing their children, wherever they need to do so.

Happy World Breastfeeding Week!  Are you a Lactivist?

Amy H. is a thirty-something SAHM and part-time psychology professor living in the deep South with her husband and two children.

Comments

[sarah]

i just posted about this on my blog:

http://www.sarahjanerhee.com/2006/08/happy-world-breastfeeding-week.html

i am a very modest person, and although i don't have qualms about nursing my 22 month old in public, i've learned to be discrete, and you won't even see any skin on my part. however, i think that if we would just get used to seeing people breastfeed, the public at large will think it's no big deal and not turn red everytime they see a nursing boob. even in a martial arts class full of pubescent boys.

my take on it is that breastfeeding is also a social justice issue. does any one else have thoughts on this?

thanks for the post, btw, amy!

[Maria P.]

I think when I am nursing my next baby I will carry with me a booklet of magazine covers of half naked women that I see in the stores quite often and if anyone ever says anything I will hand them the book.

This issue gets me so heated that I'll just step away from the keyboard now.

[Suzanne]

Loud, proud, card-carrying lactivist here! (The card is a "license to breastfeed" provided by my local La Leche League, which explains a state law that gives mothers the right to breastfeed in any place they have a right to be.)

I find it incredible that in 2006, we still have people (men AND women) complaining about being "exposed" to breastfeeding mothers. Puh-LEEZE!! :-P

[Kate]

Count me in! Generally speaking, I'm not much of an activist, but I just don't get how feeding a baby is offensive. Despite my own personal modesty, I frequently BFed both of my kids discreetly but publicly. I don't believe in making others unnecessarily uncomfortable, but come on, do they really think most women enjoy putting a nursing breast on display? You do what needs to be done.

What I find truly disgusting is the people who advise women to feed their babies in public restrooms. My feeling is that if you aren't willing to take your lunch on a public potty, sorry, you can't offer up that advice.

[Stacy]

I think the people who respond negatively to public nursing have some weird insecurity issues of their own to deal with. It's perfectly natural and beautiful.

So, count me in as a Lactivist!

[abogada]

I am nursing a toddler -- she'll be two this month. I am subject to lots of disapproval, including some coming from my own mother! I say I don't care, and mostly I don't, but I wish people would lighten up about it. It's good for her, it's good for me, and we both like it. And as for the cover of that magazine? I think it's beautiful.

[Lynn]

I breastfed my 2cd (didn't the first due to medical reasons and lack of knowledge on how to work around it). I personally couldn't BF in public. I am extremely modest and the stress of it wouldn't allow a let down. BUT, it really doesn't bother me when people do it in public. I say that BUT (again) I did recently have one case where it kind of did. And I may get slammed for this.....My 4 year olds Karate class. It's a mixed age class with about 20/25 kids from age 4 - 18. And a mother just did it right there, no blanket, no attempt to cover...in front of a room full of boys where the majority where at or near those pubescent years. You could just watch some of them glance over, notice, turn red and look away real quick. It made quite a few of these kids very uncomfortable. So, while I am generally pro-public breastfeeding, I guess I do feel there are a few places where it really may not be so appropriate that openly.

[Damselfly]

I think the media may be making a mountain out of a molehill (sorry to use a cliche!). Instead of focusing on the 75% of people who have no problem with the magazine cover, for example, it's the 25% who disagreed with it that are the focus.