Do we as adults and parents have no self control?

Question

I just read on the internet that a company is now selling a home test that checks breast milk for alcohol. I can understand wanting to go out with friends and get a drink, but do we really have that small amount of self control? Can we not sacrifice for our children? Aren't they worth everything?

I think I need to clarify. I am in no way stating that women who do not breastfeed are poor mothers. The breastmilk test was just an example of my opinion that some parents have no self control.

Answer 1

I'm sure most people would agree with you, and the GREAT majority of pregnant or nursing moms avoid substances that would harm their babies.

However, statistics don't lie, and there is an undeniable problem in our country regarding child endangerment, neglect, and abuse, usually imposed by their parents.

I personally have a relative who I would LOVE to administer that test to, because we just have no idea what she's putting in her body and then passing on to her infant son.

So, yeah, most of us are able to contain our urges to indulge in dangerous activity (dangerous more for the baby than ourselves), but there is and forever will be parents out there who don't think their child will be hurt, or they just don't care.

The majority of those people, I think, really don't think their actions are hurting their children, or maybe don't think it causes any "REAL" danger. In this kind of scenario, this would be the woman who figures one drink or one night won't hurt anybody, and probably underestimates the amount of the alcohol that is actually passed through to the baby. She may figure that if she waits until she's sober to nurse again, the alcohol isn't there and can no longer harm the baby.

The combination of ignorance and selfishness in parents is depressing, but it's certainly there.

Answer 2

You're right they are worth everything. Some women just want the best for there kids such as nursing, but can't handle not having a drink. Does it really hurt to wait 6 months, a year, or longer? I don't think so. I've been nursing for 5 1/2 months and I love it. Sometimes yes, I want a drink. But I hold out... To test my breastmilk? Give me a break. These people help promote a unhealty relationship between mother and child. Some ignorant lady is going to drink and keep testing her boobs until reaches the limit the test says it's time to stop. Way to go technology! Only some man came up with this lol!

Just to comment back at Canandian. Ummm some mothers choose not to breastfeed because they can't. Some have medical reasons and some have a low milk supply. So it's ignorant to suggest that mothers that formula feed have no self control. Dislike what I say, but it's the truth.

RE: Canadian
"The adults and parents with no self control more than likely are not breastfeeding". How does this not have anything to do with self control when that is clearly what you wrote. Maybe you should reword it. I didn't say I disagreed with your entire statement just that part. Women who formula feed have just as much self control. Don't they still have to care for a baby?

I'm not going to call you names. I just didn't like the statement. I agreed with the rest of your answer. I can rant if I'd like it's a part of life. It's not inappropriate if I disagree... It was a question based on drinking, breastfeed, and self control. Read the title. Write a paragraph, but I am done.

~Proud mom of a 5 1/2 month old baby girl~

Answer 3

I agree with you 100%. But, I also thought of it from another standpoint. It may be better to have the test available. I agree that people have no self control. I stopped drinking for the 18 months I breastfed my son. However, I had friends that were back to partying the week or two after having a baby! If they had the test, maybe it would inspire them to stop drinking all together. After all, the main concern is the baby. At least if someone has had too much alcohol, and they test positive for alcohol in the breastmilk, then maybe they won't harm thier baby. I would rather the baby be safe, then worry about what the mother was doing out all night long. Does that make any sense? I hope it does. I wish we didn't have this issue, but if someone IS going to drink, at least they will have this test to hold them accountable for the toxins they put into their baby.

Answer 4

I didn't drink while breast feeding... I also cut out my favourite spicy foods because they didn't agree with my son (cut out some of my fave veggies too). I didn't eat chocolate, drink soda pop or take medications either.... those are just the things you do when a baby is depending on your body to nourish him.

There are doctors who'll tell women that a few drinks are ok... both of my sisters had doctors who told them that and they were shocked. If there was consistency in the medical profession, that test would not be necessary since moms would know to just say no to alcohol.

For the most part, women who drink irresponsibly are not breastfeeding... it takes away too much time and freedom for really selfish people.

Your question "Do we as adults and parents have no self control?" is a pretty broad one but the answer is Yes, many of us do have self control. The adults and parents with no self control more than likely are not breastfeeding.


Re: qtiequawn's comment
My statement about self control is ONLY in regards to drinking while breastfeeding. I'm not sure how you read into that that I believe parents who don't breastfeed don't have self control because I did not mean that in any way. This question is about alcohol and breastfeeding and that is what I was answering. I know wonderful mothers who were unable to breastfeed for many different reasons, none of which had anything to do with self control.

Answer 5

I didn't drink when I was breastfeeding my son unless it was a special occasion, but I would only allow myself one glass of wine and it had to be with a meal. It couldn't just be to drink it at home or something. I think in total I drank one glass of wine the whole time I breastfed and I pumped before I drank that way I had enough milk for him for the night. One thing that you have to think about is how some women wont even stop drinking and smoking during pregnancy. There are those types of people with no self control or who have self control but dont care enough to actually use it. Also though you have to think about the people that love their kids enough or at least have the self control to take care of their children with everything down to the breastmilk.

Answer 6

Another question that could be asked is: "Is there nothing that the American people won't buy?" Honestly, the people who would benefit most from that test will never use it, they just don't care if there's alcohol in their breast milk or not. Sad isn't it?

Answer 7

Self-control is not something you learn at school but you learn it in life from the day you become able to understand things - still in childhood.Many parents don't understand how but cut their children's chances to learn self-control and that later affects on the new adults' lifes.

Answer 8

Um... is there actually a point to this invention? Do people actually buy it? If you a irresponsible enough to drink while breast feeding are you really going to check for it in your breast milk? Or do we have breast police now?

Answer 9

We're talking about a country where women microwave their children.
I don't put ANYTHING out of the question with this country.
Considering how little value they place on families in general, it really doesn't surprise me.

Answer 10

Finally, I met some parent in this world who has received
en-lightment. Yes, that is right. The answer is NO.