BREASTFEEDING IN PUBLIC
Breastfeeding is a natural process acceptable and applicable by many. Controversies relating to breastfeeding in public have erupted in recent times with advocation for democracy and equality. While it appears normal to many, several key concerns were addressed concerning breastfeeding in public. In fact, this led to the introduction of a private room specifically for nursing mothers. Although some say Breastfeeding uncovered in public is indecent and could create a hostile environment, Mother’s should be allowed to breastfeed uncovered in public because breastfeeding is baby’s main source nourishment as well bonding with their mother, It is completely natural, and lastly, women should have complete control over their body and how they choose to nourish their child.
The indecency of breastfeeding and the creation of a hostile environment
The major controversy concerning breastfeeding in public is a result of speculations asserting that breastfeeding is indecent and creates a hostile environment (Law 407). Law reveals that some men consider the aspect of exposing a female’s breast in public indecent and a form of sexual perversion. This indecency is then what creates a hostile environment to men who in other words consider it erotic in nature. Neutral assessment of these arguments clearly indicates the manners and the motivation behind the individuals that view breastfeeding as indecent.
Secondly, it beats logic to consider breastfeeding indecent whereas other clearly indecent activities like excessive alcohol consumption as being morally right and acceptable. Any upright person that is morally healthy would find it hard to become sexually aroused just by looking at a breastfeeding mother delightfully nursing their child. Logic cements the neutrality of a mother breastfeeding her baby as being similar to a mother feeding her baby with bottled milk.
Breastmilk is the baby’s main source of nourishment
Nonetheless, breastmilk is the baby’s major source of nourishment as a medical necessity for the health of the baby. Those advocating against breastfeeding in public suggest the use of supplements in place of breastmilk for mothers in public. However, this is critically impractical as breastfeeding is a nutritional requirement for the baby (Gabremariam et al., 3). Pediatricians, medical doctors, and scientists have clearly stated that to enhance the immunity and promote survival, a child is subject to exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months after birth. During this window, the child feeds exclusively on breastmilk and there is no other alternative to it unless otherwise stated.
Secondly, a baby is subject to breastmilk at least eight times a day or more. This results in a three-hour interval period in which mothers have to serially breastfeed their baby and this intercepts the mother’s outdoor hours. Breastmilk boosts the baby’s immunity against disease-causing germs through a concept known as naturally acquired passive immunity. In this case, fully formed antibodies are transfected into the child via the breastmilk ingested from the mother. At the moment the baby is deficient of antibodies and vulnerable to even mild attacks by pathogens. As a result, breastmilk boosts their immunity and aids build their immunity as well making the babies healthier and stronger. Babies are entitled to breastmilk and should be granted the availability of breastmilk regardless of the place, time, or convenience.
Breastfeeding is completely natural
Breastfeeding should be looked at as a completely natural process. It is widely known by every adult individual that babies feed on breastmilk. Female members of the mammalian family in the Animal Kingdom develop mammary glands in their youthful stage, which by evolution has specialized in the production of breastmilk for infants. Breastfeeding should be looked at as a natural occurrence that has always been there and imminent ranging from dogs, cats, cattle, and sheep. To add on breastfeeding is an aspect that most people have undergone unless otherwise stated. The genesis of breastfeeding is far fetched that only evolution can speculate on when it all began. Secondly, breastfeeding itself is a natural process. The milk fills involuntarily in the mammary gland and women have little control over it. Denying them the chance to feed their babies immerses them in immense pain and pressure. Some women have reported the milk starting to come out even before the baby can commence suckling.
Nature has instilled the aspect of breastfeeding in every child. Babies once hungry they focus their attention on the breastmilk and are completely ignorant of the location. A public setting does not intimidate them from breastfeeding. On the contrary, publicity impedes their motivation for feeding on any supplements provided, and at such instances, the only other viable option is breastfeeding (Boyer 552). It is agreeable that women cannot control the amount of milk that they possess and once it fills up, they should be allowed to feed it to the baby in compliance with what nature demands.
Women should be allowed control over their body and how they chose to nourish their child
Lastly, women should be allowed control over their bodies and the men by which they choose to feed their children. Forbidding women from breastfeeding in public clearly advocate for inequality. Severally men are seen shirtless even in public places whereas for women it serves as a call for concern even for breastfeeding mothers. Women should stop being looked at as sexual beings but as human beings whose beauty can be appreciated without any sexual psychological thinking coming through. Clearly, a woman that is comfortable feeding their baby in public should be allowed as it is their right and in no way are, they infringing the privacy or breaking anyone’s right (Dowling et al., 249). A democratic world that advocates for equality should permit the freedom of public breastfeeding for any woman in need or comfortable breastfeeding publicly. Instinctively women know the requirements of their babies and how to quench them They can relate to what the baby requires at a particular time through experience and knowledge and thus should be allowed to freely decide how they are to feed the child. This decision should be free and applicable irrespective of the location.
In conclusion, breastfeeding should be allowed and advocated for, however it can only be effective depending on the perspective by which it is looked at. Individuals that are against it consider it indecent and suggest that it creates a hostile environment, but when studied in detail, it is clear that only individuals with an erotic and sexual mindset consider public breastfeeding indecent. However considering the other side of the coin, it is al that breastfeeding is a natural process and should not surprise anyone, breastmilk is the main source of nourishment for a baby and lastly to ensure equality women should be granted full control of their bodies and mandated to decide on the type of nourishment fit for their baby.
References
Boyer, Kate. “Affect, corporeality cand the limits of belonging: Breastfeeding in public in the contemporary UK.” Health& Place 18.3 (2012): 552-560.
Dowling, Sally, Jennie Naidoo, and David Pontin. Breastfeeding in public: Women’s bodies, women’s milk. Rutgers University Press, 2012.
Gabremariam, Tadesse Kidane, et al. “Exploring the Challenges and Opportunities towards Optimal Breastfeeding in Ethiopia: a Formal Qualitative Study.” International Breastfeeding Journal 15 (2020): 1-10.
Law, Jules. “The Politics of Breastfeeding: Assessing Risk, Dividing Labor.” Journal of Women in Culture and Society 25.2 (2000): 407.
Woodland, Fiona. “Requirements to justify breastfeeding in public: a philosophical analysis.” International Breastfeeding Journal (2019): 1-8.