"Breasts - Not just for selling cars anymore." (Page 5)

heh. Literally.

(oh, I'm kidding)

If there were some bare breasts under the blanket it might not be so bad.

Mark

 I completely disagree.  I think the shift has gone the other way to the point many women feel inadequate or guilty if they cannot or choose not to breastfeed.  The hospitals here made it seem like formula wasn't even an option.  My wife was really torn up because she is physically not able to breastfeed.   Formula is just fine!  How many millions of us were raised on it with no ill effects?    This isn't really related to the original topic IMO because nobody asked her to use a bottle, they said to cover up. 

I realize that the topic has moved a bit beyond this, but I'm thinking about the actual viewshed here. Back of the plane. Window seat. Husband sitting next to her.

You'd have to be looking pretty hard to see breastfeeding and be offended in that situation.

That said, my general view is that women need all the support they can get when their children are young, breastfeeding or bottlefeeding. There are more than enough other things to worry about.

That's true.  I see it particularly in the so-called progressive community I live in.  There is pressure on women to do it the "right" way. 

Ummm my sis had trouble lactating and nobody (nurses in hospital) hassled her about it. They just sent her home with formula samples.

My wife breastfed each of our girls for about 5 months while she was on maternity, she then switched to formula when she went back to work.  My wife felt guilty about not breast feeding anymore, but logistically it was getting difficult to impossible. 

Men benefit from breastfeeding too, no getting up in the middle of the night.

This blows me away.  Novel concept that a man should feel the right to have, much less try to enforce an opinion on the subject.  If it worked for them, so be it.  It never dawned on me that I could/should have a thought about it.  We've had mixed experiences, mostly successful breastfeeding with our three but whether it was bottle or breast it was always completely up to her, when, where, how, whatever.  When she wanted to breast feed in public, which was not often but did happen, I only felt it was my job to go into protective mode, watch for pervs or anti-breastfeeders and be prepared to kick a$$.

Good.  That's the way it ought to be.

So much to write about on this subject.  Too late for me to think clearly.

My wife had trouble bringing in enough milk during the first two weeks of our youngest's life.  So our neighbor came over several times a day and they tag team breast fed him.  Not typical these days, I guess. 

Home birthing helped.  Here are the photos again of our youngest's birth. 

Thank goodness for modern obstetrics.  At the same time, it often seems like pregancy and birth are treated like a disease.  Very confusing. 

AMEN REV!!!!!

Right. That's what I was trying to get at with my other post to tkbslc. It's like the politics of it is more important than the reason for doing it.

You know, mothers feel incredible pressure to do what is right for their child. The worst is the self-imposed pressure. Who cares WHY they breastfeed? Do we need to scrutinize or criticize their motives for breastfeeding? Mommies have enough pressure on them as it is. Small wonder mothers sit around and criticize other mothers - heaven forfend they have the wrong attitude or make a mistake! I remember my sister in tears because her son was ill and she felt helpless and like she was a poor mother because she didn't know what was wrong or how to help him (other than taking him to the doctor). Let's show a bit more love for the mothers out there, eh?

Thanks, Laura.

Maybe we can get into a discussion about family beds sometime.   I know if any forum is up for it, COJ is up for it.

First, I would never put a blanket over my baby's head while nursing.  It's uncomfortable for me, uncomfortable for them and just not at all necessary.  My kids kick all their blankets off now, I know they wold have done the same then.

Second, I can't believe someone would suggest a nursing mom "just bring a bottle" to skip the "problems" they might encounter if they nurse in public.  My kids wouldn't take bottles, but even if they did I would only use them at times when I wasn't there.  Why in the world would I give them one when I'm holding them?   Also, I'm pretty sure most of the people who say this have never pumped a full bottle (or two or three you might need for a plane ride) of milk from their own breast.  It's a pain in the butt  again, why do that when I'm right there with the real thing?

For the record I've been breastfeeding for a total of 4 years and 4 months as of now.  And Christopher is still going strong and doesn't look like he wants to give it up any time soon.  I've nursed in public in so many places I couldn't keep track - airports (Boston, New York, Chicago, Ft. Lauderdale, Miami, Palm Beach) as well as on every flight I've ever taken with the kids, museums (including in the Versailles room at the Met in NYC), restaurants, sidewalks, malls, the display bed at Macy's.....