Over the last couple of weeks, several stories have emerged on breastfeeding. The recent controversies began with a Time Magazine cover showing a woman rather defiantly breastfeeding a boy old enough to ask for it. Earlier this week, a photo showing two women in military uniform breastfeeding sparked similar outrage. I’m left with two questions. One, who are these outraged people? Second, why are they outraged? After reading one of these articles, I wonder when people will start treating “outrages” like adults.
First, let’s address the Time Magazine cover. There seems to be two schools of thought on the cover. It shows a woman staring into the camera while her son, who looks to be three or four, sucks on her breast while standing on a chair to reach it. There have been two major objections to the cover. One, the woman’s cold appearance seems to belie the rather nurturing act being shown. The photo was one of many taken of the mother and son, some of which showed her “properly” caring and motherly. The editors at Time chose this one but since I don’t have an problem with stern-looking breastfeeders, I’m not moved in one way or the other on the cover.
The other issue about the cover was the woman herself. She belongs to a group of parents who follow the attachment parenting method in which a child is seldom if ever separated from a parent during the first few years of their life. As a result, the woman in the article and many others who follow this technique breastfeed well past what others might consider wise or appropriate. This can include children as old as five or six. I must tread a little lightly here because I understand my natural deficiencies – I’m a male and I’m childless. However, it would seem that once a child can ask for the breast and belly-up themselves, that seems a bit odd. However, these parents also make the point that humans are the only species to feed other animals’ milk to their young. It is more natural and beneficial to give the child the mother’s milk than that of a cow. This seems logical but I’m not sure this means it must come from the “tap” as it were.
The second story involves a group of military women who were photographed breastfeeding their babies while in uniform. For those who do not know, military members are restricted in the behaviors while in uniform. Restrictions include any display of affection, from holding hands to kissing. One Air Force spokesperson (smartly enough, they choose a woman) suggested that while the military does not have any specific regulation against breastfeeding, it would seem logical it would not be allowed while in uniform. However, one of the women photographed retorted that when confronted with a crying, hungry child, why would you take the time to completely change clothes? I must say I side with the mothers on this one. I’m not sure why the act had to be the subject of a photo shoot but the act itself seems harmless.
Of those women who breastfeed, they range in their actions. Some are shy and go to great lengths to sequester themselves for the act. Some are defiant and basically dare anyone, particularly a male, to look in her direction while she is breastfeeding. They seem to actually scan the room, seeking anyone who would turn this into a side show. The third group performs it as a natural act of motherhood. They are completely oblivious and unconcerned to those who would object. I don’t understand the objections. With all due respect, I think people need to get over their problems with breastfeeding. Of all the things happening in public that should be featured in a major news magazine article and made the point of critical commentary, this is not one of them.
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