Breastfeeding in Public by Megan Myers

Breastfeeding is a natural occurring event which has been in existence since the beginning of time. Millions of women around the world breastfeed and do not give it a second thought. Only recently, in today’s society, has the sexualization of breast become an issue. This issue has escalated to such a point, that new mothers trying to do their best by nursing their babies have been harassed, hounded, and ridiculed. Given the vast scientific knowledge that clearly demonstrates a significant health risk to those babies not fortunate enough to be breastfed, one would wonder why more women are not encouraged to breastfeed. The social and medical impact of breastfeeding cannot be understated. Breastfeeding raises IQ by up to ten points and it decreases incidents of certain cancers and obesity later in life, also breastfeeding can be saved for up to a year in a freezer. These benefits alone have the potential to save the country billions of dollars in healthcare alone. Breastfeeding, although the most natural and healthy method of feeding has recently come under attack by a vocal group of hypocritical opponents causing young, vulnerable mothers to experience public humiliation and harassment.
Society would do well to focus on the larger issues deserving attention and public outcry than to waste public money, resources, newspaper and media time, and legislative actions on the issue of breastfeeding in public. By doing so society as a whole has enabled them to stick their heads in the sand and avoid confronting the larger matters plaguing modern times. Every tax payer deserves a say in how their monies are spent. I think most tax payers would agree that they did not want their monies to harass vulnerable young mothers doing the most natural, caring thing they could do for the next generation.
Most people if asked could easily identify several items more offensive than breastfeeding in public. For example, most men would think nothing of traveling to the beach in the summer, exposing their hairy unattractive potbellies while sporting a pair of flip flops showing off the calloused, untrimmed, fungus-filled toe-nails. Who could disagree that that is more offensive than breastfeeding in public? What man objects to seeing breasts? Millions of dollars are spent annually to catch a mere glimpse of a portion of a bosom in ads totally unrelated such as, car ads, beer ads, even mortgage companies have used the breast to sell their products with great success.
Clearly one person’s offense of seeing a baby on a breast should not be allowed to dictate other people’s basic human rights. “Our society is full of daily offenses which are unfavorable including pornographic billboards see in your average work commute, magazine covers featuring near naked women placed at a five year olds eye level in the typical grocery store checkout, commercials during children’s programming promoting condoms, lubricating jelly, and other inappropriate items,” says Barbara Cavanaugh (IBCLC, RN, CNM, LLL) “where is the public outcry for these uncensored ads?” The average parent would readily agree that these ads are inappropriate, yet it is an impossible task to avoid these in a normal day.
The “trickle down” effect will be felt throughout society. Health premiums will continue to rise in relation to babies who are at higher risk for myriad of medical issues such as increased ear infections, more frequent colds, and in general increased doctor and emergency room visits. Mothers who are forced to stay at home in fear of public humiliation have a documented increase of postpartum depression, psychosis, and child abuse.
What woman dislikes breasts so much that she would be willing to cause a public scene? How does this particular woman take showers or get dressed daily? This is clearly a silly question. Are these women so riddled with guilt because they chose to not nurse their child? Or could they be jealous of another person’s breast? The issue must run deeper than socially and psychologically for these women to remain silent at the above mentioned pornographic ads. Yet vocally and loudly complain, harassing a vulnerable mother. Some women have argued they do not want their young or even teen sons to witness breastfeeding in public in the off chance that they may actually see a full breast. The chance of actually seeing a full breast is rare. A person could only wonder if their children wear blinders while driving down the road or shopping at the grocery store. That argument is unable to stand even the tiniest amount of scrutiny. Breastfeeding is an extremely healthy alternative and should not be treated as a crime.