This almost disconcerts me (although I know this is my problem! lol)
Although I accept milk is a food, babies are so clearly DRINKING! I find it really weird to think of my baby 'eating' when i am breastfeeding! eeeww. Puts all sorts of weird pictures in my head that most certainly are not happening when my baby FEEDS.
Bottle or boob, they really are drinking, so how come everyone (U.S?) says 'eat'??
2007-07-25 08:20:45 · 13 answers · asked by Anonymous in Pregnancy & Parenting ➔ Newborn & Baby
Should just clarify, i appreciate 'feeding' sort of means the same thing; i think it's the word 'eat' that just says 'biting and chewing' to me that is bothersome. 'Feeding' just seems a bit more general; that acknowledges milk as a food but can also cater for it being ingested by drinking.
2007-07-25 08:24:00 · update #1
An online dictionary defines 'eat' as:
"to take in through the mouth as food : ingest, chew, and swallow in turn"
http://www.m-w.com/dictionary/eat
2007-07-25 08:25:31 · update #2
Please note, this is not destroying my life with worry... lol Just a harmless wondering as I peruse the answers!
2007-07-25 08:26:25 · update #3
Calm down people, it was just a little question that took about 30 seconds to type, doesn't mean she's going insane with anxiety over it!!
Given the explanations people have given for referring to this act as 'eating' (i.e dictionary definitions) I would have to conclude also that 'eating' is an inappropriate term.
Gives me an image of a baby chewing away on someone's nipple. Ouch.
Chalice
2007-07-25 08:31:59 · answer #1 · answered by Chalice 7 · 1⤊ 1⤋
It freaked me out too when I first read it. I'm from India, and here most people say 'drinking', not 'eating' milk.
But now, after having lived on Yahoo Answers for this long, I'm used to the usage. So I guess it's just a matter of time for you too!
2007-07-25 18:57:04 · answer #2 · answered by aka 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
LOL! Interesting question. The usage of "eating" by most people in reference to babies is just to take in nourishment. When I think of drinking I think of water, soda and such. And because babies take in no other nourishment other than through either a bottle or breast they are in a way eating..
2007-07-25 08:48:56 · answer #3 · answered by dswawm 3 · 2⤊ 0⤋
I think because babies can only eat liquids :)
no need to differentiate between eating or drinking when they are doing the only thing they can
I think the baby is feeding sounds weird, like a farm animal
2007-07-25 08:25:33 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 4⤊ 0⤋
eating is not the act of chewing, is it?
It is obtaining nutrients however you need to.
eating or (ingestion) is the process of consuming nutrition, i.e. food, for the purpose of providing for the nutritional needs of an animal, particularly their energy requirements and to grow
2007-07-25 08:23:42 · answer #5 · answered by ? 6 · 4⤊ 0⤋
It's a very important question! Almost as important as why some people say "my baby went to the bathroom," when clearly it "went" in it's diaper.
2007-07-25 08:29:05 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 0⤋
Because breastmilk or formula is their sole, or at least primary, source of nutrition. It is their FOOD. Hence, they are eating..
Come on, hon, of all the things to fixate on... I'd let this one go! I'd love to write more, but it's time for my baby nurse. You know how babies are, they must EAT when they're hungry! ;)
2007-07-25 08:24:57 · answer #7 · answered by Magaroni 5 · 2⤊ 1⤋
This is just weird. Who cares whether you call it eating or feeding? Well obviously you do. It's the same thing. You feed your baby and my baby eats...so what?
2007-07-25 08:26:28 · answer #8 · answered by ? 4 · 2⤊ 1⤋
To eat is to take in food, consume food. Formula/breast milk is food fo infants.
2007-07-25 08:32:16 · answer #9 · answered by nappyhdfatgrl 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
They are eating. It is food. The way thsat babies eat it by sucking their food. They aren't having a beverage. LOL. Why does crap like this bother you? ODD! Your baby is eating your boob juice!!!
2007-07-25 08:25:34 · answer #10 · answered by ♫Rojas♫ 4 · 1⤊ 2⤋