There are lots of great websites out there supporting breastfeeding, something I whole heartedly approve of! However, it wasn’t until I began reading a few that I realised how breastfeeding isn’t as accepted as it is in Australia in many parts of the world. It seems that it is not unusual for a mother to be harassed in public places for doing nothing more than feeding a hungry baby! I was particularly touched by this story!
When I read and get interested in an issue, DSO suffers! So, he was very obliging when I mentioned a breastfeeding carnival about dads and breastfeeding - he has penned the entry below. You can see why I love him. Enjoy!
DSO’s download:
Leisa keeps me up to date with the breast feeding “incidents†from around the world: mothers turned out of restaurants, hospitals, shopping centres, etc. most of such Incidents are reported from the USA in which some educated, middle class folk see public breastfeeding akin to urinating on a restaurant table. Perhaps they’re so notable because on many levels, the USA is one of the world’s most liberal nations; on another, a nation so conservative it borders on the dark ages (why did the USA adopt a decimal currency but reject the metric system?).
However, Australia has its share of Incidents though thankfully the ones I’ve heard of are at the pointy end of social taboos: such as an elected representative feeding her baby in the parliament while it is sitting. I have little doubt that some countries are more broadly progressive and others broadly regressive. At least Australia has, with few exceptions, moved on from a general disapproval of feeding your baby in a public space.
The mere label of Incident highlights the irony that, to my mind, there should be no issue to discuss – there is nothing offensive, disgusting, improper or vulgar about feeding a baby from the breast. And, if I can give a self-serving perspective (but not uniquely male) – it’s so convenient! There’s enough gear for a new parent to lug around without adding: bottles, formula, sterilisers, etc. If you can, and you want to, don’t let any social taboo stand in your way.
I suspect I’m preaching to the converted in this piece so I’ll spare us all a Socratic dialogue on the issue. My purpose of posting is, not to ask the question, but to maintain the mantra: why is this an issue? There is no issue. Breastfeeding is not an Incident. It’s not an ablution. It’s not public nudity. It’s not about anyone but mother and baby. However, if only to take steps towards changing the perception, we must normalise a mother’s election to nurse her baby so that it’s not an Incident. It’s a nutrient, an experience, a gift, a relationship, an expression of love and it’s just sooo convenient!
breastfeeding in public, convenience, dad
June 11th, 2007 at 8:41 pm
[…] Crunchy Domestic Goddess: Down with the Kids: Mother’s Milk: A Dad’s Perspective Nursing Your Kids: advantages of breastfeeding, breastfeeding, carnival, lactationShare This […]
June 11th, 2007 at 9:08 pm
[…] On this note, welcome to the carnival of breastfeeding, this month we are looking at a Dad’s perspective, you can see DSO’s contribution here. […]
June 12th, 2007 at 12:11 am
I love this, Leisa. We need more dads who are willing to speak up like this here in the U.S. He’s right - we’re so progressive in some ways and then so behind in others (paid maternity leave being one of the most obvious - I believe that we’re one of four countries in the world, and the only inudstrialized one, that doesn’t have it).
Thanks again for contributing to the carnival!
Tanya
June 12th, 2007 at 12:33 am
[…] Guestbloggers: Hepatitis-EPI: Hepatitis EPI Down With the Kids: Mother’s Milk - A Dad’s Perspective Posted in Me…Me…ME Link to this Entry Email This Entry […]
June 12th, 2007 at 12:36 am
My husband feels exactly the same way. He wonders why anyone disapproves of breastfeeding in general and also breastfeeding in public.
June 12th, 2007 at 12:59 am
[…] Breastfeeding123: A Father’s Take on Breastfeeding Perception Versus Reality BreastfeedingMums: Mama Knows Breast: Motherwear Breastfeeding Blog: Proud to Be the Father of a Breastfed Baby The Lactivist: Down with the Kids: Mother’s Milk: A Dad’s Perspective Hepatitis_epi: A Father’s Support Nursing Your Kids: Partnership […]
June 12th, 2007 at 3:09 am
My husband feels just the same about a mother’s right to breastfeed. His attitude is that no-one has any right to be offended by a woman feeding her child in the most natural, nurturing way possible.
June 12th, 2007 at 10:11 am
[…] Welcome, Carnival of Breastfeeding readers. My wife put me up to this, but as long as she does the majority of waking up late at night, and changes more diapers overall, I’m generally willing to go along with what she tells me to do. […]
June 12th, 2007 at 10:16 am
Since my husband is from India, he shakes his head at a lot of what goes on over here in the States. Breastfeeding is one of them. Weaning was another - he doesn’t get why some folks are so judgmental about nursing past 12 months. Don’t even me started on how crazy he thought the Ferber method was.
I think if we had more men on board with public breastfeeding, many of these “Incidents” would disappear.
June 12th, 2007 at 1:55 pm
your husband is so RIGHT ON with his thoughts. my husband and i often lament why the USA is sooooo backwards in it’s thinking re: breastfeeding. i hope that the more we talk about it and the more we nurse in public, the more normal and accepted it will become.
June 12th, 2007 at 9:30 pm
But why DID the USA not adopt the metric system?????
September 5th, 2007 at 6:19 pm
nutrition during pregnancy…
I stumbled upon your blog by accident a month or so ago and have found myself coming back to it at least a few times every week. You have become my favorite….