Nipplephobia

I was re-reading Ina May's Guide to Breastfeeding last night (my little one is getting a lazy latch lately), and I came upon the chapter where she speaks about "nipplephobia" in the United States. I couldn't agree more.

Did you know that the government set a goal that 50% of all babies would still be breastfed at 6 months by 2010. Needless to say that did not happen. Currently only about 20%-30% are still breastfed at 6 months. Why would the government set a goal like this and not do anything to help make it happen?

44 states have laws that "allow" mothers to breastfeed anywhere public or private. But only 28 of those states exempt breastfeeding from being grouped into indecent exposure in public. Only Puerto Rico has a law stating that most public places (shopping malls, airports, public government buildings, etc) have separate facilities for breastfeeding and diaper changing that is not in a restroom. In hospitals, mothers are bombarded with formula "gifts" and advertising, and many hospitals do not suggest breastfeeding as the best food for baby. Formula companies somehow get the addresses of mothers and send formula to our homes. I received so much formula at my house, and I never requested any or signed up for "free giveaways" for other baby items.

Breastfeeding is treated as a lifestyle choice instead of a normal, natural process. Breastfeeding is viewed as a hassle by most of the nation. Even worse - breasts are so sexualized in this country that women are made to feel ashamed by feeding their baby in public. This is where "nipplephobia" comes in.

Even here in Florida (where the law has been in place since 1993), where breastfeeding is protected there are stories on the news several times a year about a mother being asked to leave an area to feed her child. These are stories of women who fight back and stand their ground. It makes me wonder how often it happens and women don't do anything.

The discrimination is not only from employees in restaurants or lifeguards at pools. The discrimination also comes from the most unlikely source - other mothers! I have heard from so many mothers that they have been asked to cover up or go the restroom because another mother does not want "her child to see that." How hard would it be for the mother to say that "the baby is eating, since that is where babies get milk from." Most children would just say "okay" and go on with playing. Even if they did ask more questions, breastfeeding is a natural process that children should grow up comfortable with. (We don't stick to babies coming from the stork anymore do we?). If a new generation was raised in a breastfeeding environment, breastfeeding rates would skyrocket when that generation had children.

I wish I could organize a national "nurse-in" and have nursing mothers everywhere unite! Down with the sexualization of breasts, and in with nursing!