Lactivism and Rosa Parks: Um, What Are We Fighting For?

re: Lactivism and Rosa Parks: Um, What Are We Fighting For?

Mim — Thu, 13 Sep 2007 21:36:30 GMT

Uh, i am still breastfeeding my 18-month-old (who also had some formula from the get-go because of my milk issues) and I did occasionally breastfeed in public, discreetly, when he was younger (now I pretty much refuse and distract him til we get home on the rare occasions he "asks" in public) but I must say, the thought that it is some horrible insult to be asked to cover up with a blanket -- not to stop breastfeeding, just to sling a blanket or cloth over you and the baby -- I mean, why is that such a bad request? As a breastfeeding mother, I still would feel very strange being in a restaurant and seeing some other woman's breast and nipple feet from me, with her baby maybe pulling away or whatever, whereas if she were trying to be discreet, i'd probably not even notice. I know my own son, especially as he got older, is a big one for a lot of prodding my breast and pulling his head away etc, and I feel it would be totally rude to the world to have them forced to see my naked breast in their faces.

re: Lactivism and Rosa Parks: Um, What Are We Fighting For?

Tracy — Wed, 12 Sep 2007 23:19:20 GMT

Oh yes, please do not have an opinion. I'd much rather you just regurgitate back the original article so I can read the same thing over and over again in just a slightly different way. (Oh wait, that's not about *not having an opinion* it's actually about *not having a lactivist opinion*.) And don't share your personal experiences either, because discussing your parenting experiences on a parenting blog - well that's just anarchy?

And how again does using a blanket deprive someone of the right to eat?

I'm glad you stand up to the militant lactivists and are willing to express your opinion even though you know you will get grief for it. It's just like Rosa Parks.

re: Lactivism and Rosa Parks: Um, What Are We Fighting For?

crabbymom — Wed, 12 Sep 2007 21:38:45 GMT

ummm...actually, where is this claiming to be a news item? and where is it written that one has to talk about ONE THING ONLY? it is all related. moms right to nurse, dads right to bottle-feed. and really, the world is sad. but blog post like this make it seem a tad bit brighter and more entertaining.

re: Lactivism and Rosa Parks: Um, What Are We Fighting For?

mamaloo — Wed, 12 Sep 2007 20:27:38 GMT

Does it make more sense if you frame it as: babies being prevented from a basic human right, namely to eat.

A right is a right is a right. They are all equal in the eyes of the law. The problems around the breastfeeding issue stem from the institutionalization of formula use to the detriment our our collective health (and millions of baby's lives here in North America and in third world countries). If one were to look into that, perhaps they'd be a little more fired up about protecting the rights of infants.

And I'm starting to get sick of stories that start out being about a news item and start to get into an intelligent discussion about the news item's finer points and end up being the author bitching about that time some lactivist made them feel like crap. I say that's bad journalism aimed at discrediting lactivism as a whole. And I mean that very sincerely. It makes me feel sad for the world.

If you want to bitch about how you think lactivists are pushy know-it-alls, by all means, do that.

If you want to talk about more than nursing in a restaurant, then please, do so.