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#211671 - 07/15/04 08:55 PM
Baby feeding
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Anonymous
Unregistered
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I always felt that breast-feeding in public (at the mall, in restaurants, etc.) was ok, but now that my sister-in-law has become positively militant about it (feeding her 8-month-old every 2 hours, regardless of location) I'm starting to have a change of heart. Opinions?
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#211673 - 07/15/04 08:58 PM
Re: Baby feeding
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Diamond Poster
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 2,289
dreaming of a warm beach......
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Quote:
Oh boy, this thread is going to be the new hot button where people are going to really express their opinions and people will start arguing. I'll give mine, I think it should be done very discreetly, don't just "whip it out"  in public so all can see.
I totally agree. Do it discreetly.
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#211674 - 07/15/04 09:01 PM
Re: Baby feeding
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100 Club
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 180
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If she is feeding her 8 month old every two hours, it sounds like the child is not getting enough to eat. She probably needs to talk to the Dr. As far as breast feeding in public, I think it depends on the place. Personally, I do not care to see a woman breast feeding their baby in a restaurant while I am eating. I know it is natural and beneficial to the baby (that is why I breast fed both of my children) but I think you can plan your activities around the baby's schedule. There are times when that is impossible, in which case, please do it discreetly.
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#211675 - 07/16/04 03:45 AM
Re: Baby feeding
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Power Poster
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 6,172
Further South than I wanna be.
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I am ultra pro breast feeding but I don't like the idea of making others uncomfortable. I nursed for 15 months and got pretty good at doing it with no one knowing it.
_________________________
Life is not the way it's supposed to be. It's the way it is. The way you cope with it is what makes the difference.
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#211676 - 07/16/04 12:02 PM
Re: Baby feeding
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Anonymous
Unregistered
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Let me just add one note here:
We give the human baby no credit for having evolved through 3 billion years of natural selection. It knows when and how much it needs to be fed. As it knows when it needs to be picked up and put down. In tribal societies (which are all but free from the kinds of mental disorders we seem to be infecting the majority of our children with), children are allowed to feed when and where they choose. See "The Continuum Concept" by Jean Liedloff
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#211677 - 07/16/04 12:19 PM
Re: Baby feeding
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10K Club
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 40,766
Turnpike Exit 10
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I just have to relay this story and will do so without expressing an opinion.
A co-worker's daughter-in-law is breastfeeding her 18 month old. She lifts her shirt (literally) wherever and whenever, the child is big and stands in front of her and suckles when they have family gatherings.
What d'yall think, is this appropriate?
_________________________
Get your facts first, then you can distort them as you please. - Mark Twain
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#211678 - 07/16/04 12:28 PM
La Leche League International
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Anonymous
Unregistered
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For an information and education on breastfeeding visit: http://www.lalecheleague.org/This is a breastfeeding education and support network for breastfeeding mothers. Please spend some time at this site, it may change your viewpoint on breastfeeding and those that choose to actively breastfeed their children. Gotta go ... Peace 
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#211680 - 07/16/04 01:31 PM
Re: Baby feeding
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Power Poster
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 3,455
The Pennant Race
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A little male perspective.... I have no problem with women nursing their newborns and infants in public. Discretion would be preferable, but little ones get hungry on their own schedule, and given a choice between a happy and unhappy child in public, I take happy every time.
Lil Devil's toddlers, on the other hand, are old enough to wait till Mom can feed them in a private place.
In the end, though, puppy lover's attitude is ok with me - society's phobias about female breast exposure are a little rediculous, anyway.
_________________________
The opinions expressed here are personal and do not represent opinions of my employer.
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#211682 - 07/16/04 01:48 PM
Re: Baby feeding
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Gold Star
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 458
Smack dab in the middle of IL
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I breast feed all three of my children (2 at the same time - twins). I nursed my first child for 9 months and the twins for 6 months. I am all for breatfeeding and I would highly recommend it to any new mother. I feel that breastfeeding is very natural, creates a special bond, and women should not be embarassed (if they breastfeed in public, as long as they do it with discretion). I also feel that there is an appropriate time to stop...when the child can just walk up and help itself, it's time to stop!
Thanks to pbrinker for his male perspective...it's good to hear that men support it too...it's especially important when it's your wife you are supporting!
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#211683 - 07/16/04 01:51 PM
Re: Baby feeding
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Gold Star
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 474
Texas, USA
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Like everything else in this life, it can be done with class and taste in a way that would not be annoying or offensive to others.
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#211686 - 07/16/04 01:57 PM
Re: Baby feeding
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Power Poster
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 6,259
NW IL
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Quote:
And their unhappiness is incredibly contagious.
So true.
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#211687 - 07/16/04 02:07 PM
Re: Baby feeding
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Diamond Poster
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 1,815
Minnesota
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I applaud and also am envious of those who can in fact breast feed. It is better for the child, but unfortunately my body has yet to produce any amount of milk where that could be the sole option. I did "go through the motions" for the first 3 months in hopes that my children did receive some benefit. I will try once again.
Prior to having children, my husband was a little leary, but after reading up on the benefits and knowing that it can be done discretely he is all for it. There are many ways to make it not so obvious and some people just don't care about that. I guess, if you don't like it or it bothers you, don't watch. I just hope a few don't wreck it for the rest in public places...if done tastefully, most will not even know you are breast feeding.
_________________________
Do what you can, with what you have, where you are.
~Theodore Roosevelt~
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#211690 - 07/19/04 12:48 PM
Re: Baby feeding
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Diamond Poster
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 1,475
Big Brother knows and that's a...
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I think that it is fine as long as you are trying to be discreet. I don't mind it- it is a part of life, but others take offense to seeing a mother feeding her baby in public.
My sister always makes sure she pumps and has bottles ready, should my nephew need a feeding. That way she doesn't offend anyone, and doesn't feel uncomfortable in public.
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My opinion is mine only- not my employer's!
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#211691 - 07/19/04 01:17 PM
Re: La Leche League International
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Anonymous
Unregistered
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Quote:
For an information and education on breastfeeding visit:
http://www.lalecheleague.org/
This is a breastfeeding education and support network for breastfeeding mothers. Please spend some time at this site, it may change your viewpoint on breastfeeding and those that choose to actively breastfeed their children.
Gotta go ... Peace
FYI - This is a male's perspective too. 
The benefits of breastfeeding cannot be understated. If you are facing challenges, please call your local La Leche League chapter for support and info.
Gotta go - Peace
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#211692 - 07/19/04 01:33 PM
Re: Baby feeding
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Power Poster
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 6,259
NW IL
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Quote:
Quote:
Thanks!
Sorry for the rant. 
That's ok, I am sure you have needed to get it off your chest for some time. 
I think it the most wonderful thing you are doing for your daughter. I hope she is soon blessed with the liver she needs.
When the time comes, hopefully I'll be a good match for her to be considered for living liver organ donation.
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#211693 - 07/19/04 05:51 PM
Re: Baby feeding
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Diamond Poster
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 1,975
Alderaan
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I can't believe my first post here is about breast feeding!
Let me ask this question to those who think moms shouldn't nurse in public - I don't ask you to have your meals in a public bathroom, why do you expect my child to have hers in there? Until public places install lounges for us to nurse, where exactly are we supposed to feed our babies? I try to bring a bottle when I can, however, if I'm gone for more than 4-5 hours, I still need a place to pump. I'm fortunate to live in a state that passed a law that a mother can nurse her child anywhere that she can bring her child.
I also agree that it should be discreet and that if the child can ask, it's time to wean!
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#211694 - 07/19/04 05:58 PM
Re: Baby feeding
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Anonymous
Unregistered
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For what it's worth, this also was from a male: Quote:
Let me just add one note here:
We give the human baby no credit for having evolved through 3 billion years of natural selection. It knows when and how much it needs to be fed. As it knows when it needs to be picked up and put down. In tribal societies (which are all but free from the kinds of mental disorders we seem to be infecting the majority of our children with), children are allowed to feed when and where they choose. See "The Continuum Concept" by Jean Liedloff
And to add to this, the baby knows when it's done breastfeeding. 3 million years of human evolution mandate this. If babies and mothers didn't have instincts that tell them what they need and when, we quite simply wouldn't be here. Jean Liedloff says something in the book I recommended to the effect of: I would be embarrassed to admit to my tribal friends that where I come from, women don't think they know how to raise children, so they read books on the subject, mainly written by men.
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#211695 - 07/19/04 09:41 PM
Re: Baby feeding
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Anonymous
Unregistered
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I'm a bit sceptical of using the example of "tribal" societies as though there is something inherently good or natural about them. Without knowing more, my first inclination is to wonder if perhaps their whenever-wherever allowance of breast feeding is motivated less by concern for the health of children, and more a part of a culture that follows a tribal "females are for sex and bearing children only" pattern - a culture often enforced with some rather grisly practices.
Before I'm accused of being xenophobic, I have recently heard from several left-leaning media outlets about attempts to educate immigrant women in the US and Europe about the dangers of women-specific tribal practices.
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