What happenned to Breastfeeding?

Question

When did the Breasts become Sexual Objects?
Why do we, as a society, keep shoving more and more chemical into our children's bodies.
I am NOT against Formula feeding mothers, I just want to know, for the people who find it "disgusting" and "gross" WHY? Why is it sexual. When I am breastfeeding my Daughter. I find NOTHING sexual about it. We are MAMMELS and mammels feed their young through Milk. Why is that so hard for some people? I mean if you have trouble breastfeeding, I am NOT knocking you, If you choose not too i'm NOT knocking you, but I have heard and read some very disrespectful comments regarding breastfeeding. I DO NOT bash formula feeding mothers Why bash me?

Farly
Sadly people do care and they make it very hard for breastfeeding mothers. (not ALL people obviously)

Answer 1

I have always wondered the same. Our breasts are there for breastfeeding, so why do some people get so offended when we use them for their correct purpose?

Answer 2

you know something i breastfeed my son and i have gone through the crazy looks and the grandparents who get jealous because they can't feed the baby and it can be quite tiresome to be the only person that can feed him, but i wouldnt have it any other way because i know that i am doing what is right for my son. anyone that has a problem with it can seriously just step off i have never understood why people would think its gross to feed your baby the way god intended it perhaps its the way society is these days so much technology and new things you can use and all of these formulas with dha and ra and whatver the other crap is that is supposed to help your baby's brain develop and then they have the iron fortified and the soy for lactose intolerate babies. our society has changed so much people have adapted to bottle feeding more that they will adapt to the most natural thing in the world. and personally people that think breastfeeding is sexual should probably look it up and get some info on the subject. I also dont knock women that choose bottle over breast but i sure wish they would stop knocking me!!

Answer 3

Right on. I find it funny that so many formula-feeding Moms complain about us "shoving breastfeeding down their throats", trying to make them feel guilty, etc. but the truth is, when I was breastfeeding both of my girls, I never felt more alone in it. Every parenting magazine I looked at had a formula ad on every other page. Formula companies try to give the impression that they are pro-breastfeeding, but they shove formula samples at you for when breastfeeding is unsuccessful (because, of course, it eventually will be,right?). My husband supported me in my decision to breastfeed, but every woman in his family formula-fed their babies, and they always gave me funny looks with scrunched up noses saying "I don't know how you can do it". Any public place I ever went to around here (and I live in a country to suburb-type area) offered no clean private places for me to nurse my baby. Every where I turned it seemed like bottle feeding was the norm, was what's expected, what everyone is SO much more comfortable with. So forgive me if I have no sympathy for a formula-feeding Mom who feels put upon by us pushy breastfeeding advocates. We deserve the same respect for our decision that you do. Forgive me; I didn't put breasts on women, God did! And mammals use those breasts to feed their babies, or their babies die. Aren't we the most fortunate species to have a choice? Can't we all just "get along"?

Answer 4

Yes, breasts have been an object of sexual desire since there was woman. HOWEVER, they were never totally sexual until this era. Interestingly, this is a cultural phenomonon. In the east (were my hubby is from) it is natural for a woman to breastfeed. Men don't mind and aren't offended. A woman is given space to breastfeed. No on has issues. Men or women. They understand the sexual object HAS A PURPOSE - to feed their baby.

Here because of our highly sexed society (just look at the income the porn industry gets yearly) breasts equal sex.

I agree with you. I don't know why bfing mother's get bashed. I think formula feeding mother's feel quilty and that's part of the reason. I don't bash either. I just hate when someone says bfing doesn't fit their "schedule" that they are just too busy...

Answer 5

Because unfortunately you can't make everyone happy and some people are very judgemental. The way I look at it either way you will be making someone unhappy and reguardless there are always complainers.

For me those who think breast feeding their child or someone else breast feeding is sexual than something is wrong with them. God gave women breasts to feed their child before some pervert decided to make them a sexual object.

Personally I think it's up to the mother to make the decision to breast feed or not and no one else. Some women aren't capable of breast feeding so they go with the only other option out there, which is bottle feeding. Some women think breast feeding is the only way to go.

The way I look at it is what would you rather see? A woman feeding their child in some form or a woman who is neglecting their child by starving them. Personally, I'd rather see a woman taking care of their child in the best way they know how than to neglect them in any way.

Answer 6

I nurse my son. it was so hard in the beginning. We used nipple shields for about 2 months and suffered through an episode of thrush together. When he was born through a C-section, the hospital had me put him on formula because after a section, it takes longer for milk to come in and they said he was losing too much weight. I had a lactose consultant come in and help me nurse him. After 2 months, I dropped the shields and sucked it up. It was still hurting at 4 months, but getting better. Now he's 8 months old and he's a little nursing expert. At times I don't like being so tied to him, but for the most part I love that there is something that only I can provide for him. He needs me for this one very special thing, and it is so good that I can do it for him.
Other pros: No bottles to clean! Nothing to pack and take with me, just feed him on the go!
However, I don't really feed him in public, only a few times when there aren't so many people around. Usually if I'm out and he needs to nurse, I'll do it in my parked car.
Someone asked me the other day how long I plan to nurse for, and I told her that I'd try to keep it up for a year. She asked why so long (long? that's short, lady) and I said, "because he likes it". isn't that a good enough reason? He likes to nurse, so I nurse him. I thought that was perfect.
My breasts were made for this. They were made to nurse my son, not to titilate (no pun intended) the opposite sex!

Answer 7

I agree with you. When i first breatfed my older children (14 yrs ago), I used to get snide comments and dirty looks. I actually had one women curse me out for daing to let her child see me feeding my child. This time around, I find it much easier. I don't know if I've just become immune to the comments and looks or if I just don't care anymore. While breastfeeding, I don't uncover my full breast where anyone but my baby can see it. I wear regular clothes a size or two larger and my baby's head covers the "area of objection". Why criticize me for doing what women have done since the beginning of time. I'm doing what is best for my daughter and myself and if you can't dael with that then look else where. I also carry with me a card given to me by my WIC office. It states "License to breastfeed in public: It's the law! a mother is entitled to breastfeed her baby in any location in which the mother authorized to be under the provisions of Chapter 165, Texas Health and Safety Code". it also says "Breastfeeding: Nature's Health Plan". on the other side is written "Thank you for nursing your baby in public. May future mothers never have to search for a secluded corner, dressing room or rest room to nourish their babies. Nursing in America are becoming the norm and credit goes to women like you". It gives phone numbers to report good and bad experiences in businesses so they can send a letter regarding your experience to that business. I carry it with me all the time, and have handed copies to those who give me "the look". All i can say is nursing is best for my baby, and i will do it where ever, whenever she wants to!

Answer 8

I breastfeed my daughter, and love it!!! We would not be here as a species without it.
Some people are told by their mothers and friends that breastfeeding is really hard, or that formula is the best thing for their babies.
Also a woman who gave birth in a hospital where breastfeeding is actively supported, instead of just accepted, is going to have better success. We need support when we are breastfeeding

Answer 9

I hope you all won't mind two cent from the lesser sex.

Part of the answer lies within the extreme feminist push of the past. They tried to get women away from breastfeeding because - in their view - it limited women. Feminists wanted women in the workplace so they could prove they were equal to men. Breastfeeding was seen as an obstacle to this goal, so it was discouraged. Why this view hasn't completely faded away yet, I don't know.

And, by the way, breasts have always been seen as sexual objects. But that doesn't mean women can't breastfeed. Either way, do it or not, why should anyone care?

Answer 10

Ive never heard anyone refer to breastfeeding as being "sexual"....thats just as ridiculous as it sounds! I dont think people "bash" breastfeeding, its just something that takes some getting used to. My niece breastfeeds and is so good at it that youd never know thats what she was doing. She covers herself and holds baby in such a way that its almost hidden. I have to admit that as liberal minded as I am about women breastfeeding, even I dont want to see a mother blatantly exposing herself to everyone making it apparant what is going on. Theres a right way and wrong way to do it, and putting it in someones face isnt the right way. Subtleness is the key!

Answer 11

When I was nursing my son, I did not care what other people thought of me. I sat on a bench in the middle of the zoo and nursed-much to the dismay of my mother who was running around trying to cover us with a blanket. In the middle of the ZOO! MOM! I found it to be a very special time to bond with my child and I never let anyone hide me in a dirty bathroom or keep me from nursing. Heck, I remember one time when he stood up in the grocery cart, snuck under my shirt and started to nurse while I was shopping! It was a mighty powerful feeling to know that I could feed my child anywhere and at any time! I pity the woman who does not at least try to provide her child with this most nurturing need. The good Lord gave us women breasts for a reason.