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BBC - 84% of People Find Public Breastfeeding Acceptable

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Originally posted by: BDawg
Originally posted by: waggy
Originally posted by: djheater
My wife breastfeeds. Infants are not really capable of waiting to be fed. It would be abusive to make them.

In fact my wife breastfed until my daughter was 3.5, at that age a child can wait until they're in an appropriate environment, though that doesn't stop them from asking in public, which is a tad embarassing considering the cultural perceptions.

Americans are JUST BARELY beginning to accept breastfeeding to a year. More than that they start getting a touch freaked out. Which is sad really, it's still a VERY HEALTHY choice, emotionally and physically.

yeah we were told by a few difrent doctors to try untill at LEAST 2 years of age.

WE had a doctor from Europe and he said 3 is better.

Everything I've seen says that the benefits of breastfeeding are not present after age 1.

I assume it is cheaper and help women stay thinner though.

I have read a few reports that stated breastfeeding until age of 2 is better then age 1.

But i would think after 1 the pain of teeth would stop it!
 
Originally posted by: waggy
Originally posted by: Skoorb
Agreed. What I also find surprising is how many people still fall for the baby formula companies' propaganda and believe that breastfeeding is bad for infants, or that babies should be weaned before the 1st year.
Interestingly at least one formula commercial I've seen says on the bottom that breast feeding is better hehe.
yeah all the ones i have seen have "brest feeding is better" all over them.
Those are newer, and designed to prevent backlash lawsuits. It's kind of like how tobacco companies have finally admitted that smoking is bad (although I'm not comparing bottle-feeding to smoking, just the similarity of the situation).
Only a little over a decade ago (and for decades before then), baby formula companies used to advertise bottle-feeding as better than breastfeeding. A lot of the anti-breastfeeding sentiment that you see in modern America is not just from puritanical values, but the result of a massive propanganda campaign by the baby formula companies that began in about the 1920's.
It's a fascinating subject if you look it up. Bottle-feeding peaked during the Baby Boom (late 40s to early 60s), where a ridiculously high percentage of babies were not breastfed because mothers were led to believe it was harmful and that formula was better, combined with a public taboo against breastfeeding that developed during that time and exists to this day.
 
Originally posted by: waggy
Originally posted by: TravisT
djheater, unfortunately, that is a bit wierd. I've heard that after the first few weeks of breastfeeding the baby has already built up an immune system, which is one of hte primary purposes of breast feeding.

How does a 3 1/2 year old use that for a meal? I mean, does he take a bite off of his snack packs and lean over for a little nip? Or what about animal crackers? No doubt I need more milk with my animal crackers than jello.

EH wrong!

brestfeeding ALSO helps formt he brain and eyes. During the first few years its real important to get the stuff that is in breast milk.

I'm not trying to flame you here... but Green Beans and Carrots are good for your eyes and are 'think foods' as well...
 
Originally posted by: TravisT
Originally posted by: BDawg
Originally posted by: TravisT
Originally posted by: BDawg
Originally posted by: TravisT
Originally posted by: BDawg
Originally posted by: TravisT
I must admit, walking around sometimes seeing women not even cover themselves and feeding their baby makes me uncomfortable.

I admit, sometimes it makes me uncomfortable too, espescially if I know the person.

Then again, sometimes seeing people with horrible burns or missing limbs makes me uncomfortable too. Perhaps they should cover up as well.

Or, maybe we should get over it and allow them to live without undue intrusions into their lives.

That has to be the worst comparison i've ever heard. Then again, you're the one who wants to see your mom naked... so it doesn't suprise me.

Wow, you really dove off the deep-end with that one...

You started the trend with comparing breast feeding to missing limbs.


No, you mentioned it made you uncomfortable. I contend that people need to get over some things that make them uncomfortable.

So you should accept everything and anything that makes you feel uncomfortable? Interesting concept, not one i agree with in the least, but interesting none-the-less.

No, not everything, but how about things people can't help. I know what you're doing here, so I'm sure you'll find an exception, but in the case of breastfeeding, it's a natural process. Just because it makes you uncomfortable doesn't mean people should have to hide in the bathroom to do it.
 
The studies haven't been done that can conclusively prove any benefit, I can tell you from experience and the opinions of other that I have unusually happy, healthy, kind children. 🙂

The trend of the studies that have been done indicate that the longer the better. Children who are not forcibly weaned generally wean themselves at around 4.5 - 5.

There is a very interesting article by an Anthropology doctorate at Texas A&M here regarding the subject.

To those asking about the nutritional benefit: You're tight it offers very little nutritionally, but there is an immunilogical as well as emotional benefit still present, at least that is how my family feels.
 
Originally posted by: Skoorb
Children who are not forcibly weaned generally wean themselves at around 4.5 - 5.
And then they unwean themselves in their mid-teens, if they're boys 😱

That's an added disadvantage 🙁

Once your wife's breasts become the property of your children, one must abandon all claims. What used to be mine and mine alone is now about as sexy as a milk bottle. :brokenheart:
 
Originally posted by: djheater
Originally posted by: Skoorb
Children who are not forcibly weaned generally wean themselves at around 4.5 - 5.
And then they unwean themselves in their mid-teens, if they're boys 😱

That's an added disadvantage 🙁

Once your wife's breasts become the property of your children, one must abandon all claims. What used to be mine and mine alone is now about as sexy as a milk bottle. :brokenheart:
Probably longer than one too, but that's what breast lifts are for, eh? 🙂
 
FYI, BDawg, there are several 'Natural Processes' that don't have to be made publicly. Just as I wouldn't drop my drawls here at work and expect everyone to be okay with it, i'd prefer it if mothers did that as well.

Notice that in my initial post that i agreed that there may be times where it can't be totally private. But 9 times out of 10 it's a possibility, or at the least, the mother could cover herself which it seems to be a common trend not to these days.

Just like there are certain things that need to be public, there are some things that don't need to be public. Being a father, having a daughter who was breastfed, my wife found ways not to do it in public, and it was far from neglecting my daughter.

If she can do it, these other mothers can to.
 
Originally posted by: TravisT
Originally posted by: waggy
Originally posted by: TravisT
djheater, unfortunately, that is a bit wierd. I've heard that after the first few weeks of breastfeeding the baby has already built up an immune system, which is one of hte primary purposes of breast feeding.

How does a 3 1/2 year old use that for a meal? I mean, does he take a bite off of his snack packs and lean over for a little nip? Or what about animal crackers? No doubt I need more milk with my animal crackers than jello.

EH wrong!

brestfeeding ALSO helps formt he brain and eyes. During the first few years its real important to get the stuff that is in breast milk.

I'm not trying to flame you here... but Green Beans and Carrots are good for your eyes and are 'think foods' as well...

well i was pointint out that you said it was for immune system. Wich while it started out as he primary purpose of brestfeeding it sure is NOT now. THe chemicles in breast milk (also in others as you pointed out but in also formula) are great for supporting the development of eyes and brains.
YEs you can get it from carrots or green beans but not many children can eat them. Not to mention puree (sp?) does take some of the stuff out.


but i agree going to 2+ is nuts. But i when my wife was pregnant we were advised it would be good to do it until 3 years of age. I don't think i would want to do it past 1. the teeth have to hurt.
 
Originally posted by: TravisT
FYI, BDawg, there are several 'Natural Processes' that don't have to be made publicly. Just as I wouldn't drop my drawls here at work and expect everyone to be okay with it, i'd prefer it if mothers did that as well.

Notice that in my initial post that i agreed that there may be times where it can't be totally private. But 9 times out of 10 it's a possibility, or at the least, the mother could cover herself which it seems to be a common trend not to these days.

Just like there are certain things that need to be public, there are some things that don't need to be public. Being a father, having a daughter who was breastfed, my wife found ways not to do it in public, and it was far from neglecting my daughter.

If she can do it, these other mothers can to.

If you're equating peeing with breastfeeding, something's wrong. I'd be willing to make a law that allows you to "drop you drawls" in public if you'll post a pic of you feeding your daughter from your penis.

IMHO, a mom should cover herself to respect others, but the law should not dictate it. If she wants to strip naked, revealing her entire body, that's wrong. If she's revealing a food dispensing organ, that's fine.

The law should never force her to go somewhere else to breastfeed.
 
Well, i never said they couldn't benefit other things, waggy. 🙂 It's just after those first few weeks, it's not as important as it was at the age of 1 day old. 🙂

The other things Breast Feeding does that is postive for the child can be found in other foods. Foods that we typically eat as adults.
 
Originally posted by: BDawg
Originally posted by: TravisT
FYI, BDawg, there are several 'Natural Processes' that don't have to be made publicly. Just as I wouldn't drop my drawls here at work and expect everyone to be okay with it, i'd prefer it if mothers did that as well.

Notice that in my initial post that i agreed that there may be times where it can't be totally private. But 9 times out of 10 it's a possibility, or at the least, the mother could cover herself which it seems to be a common trend not to these days.

Just like there are certain things that need to be public, there are some things that don't need to be public. Being a father, having a daughter who was breastfed, my wife found ways not to do it in public, and it was far from neglecting my daughter.

If she can do it, these other mothers can to.

If you're equating peeing with breastfeeding, something's wrong. I'd be willing to make a law that allows you to "drop you drawls" in public if you'll post a pic of you feeding your daughter from your penis.

IMHO, a mom should cover herself to respect others, but the law should not dictate it. If she wants to strip naked, revealing her entire body, that's wrong. If she's revealing a food dispensing organ, that's fine.

The law should never force her to go somewhere else to breastfeed.

Now you are attempting ot put words in my mouth. By saying I felt uncomfortable with it, and by you suggesting as well that they should cover themselves you also feel uncomfortable with it, was never promoting the idea of making a law against it. Just as you said, it's out of respect for others that women would go to the bathroom, or to a private vehicle, or somewhere else. It's not about making a law against doing it in Wal-Mart food court or while in McDonalds waiting in line for a Cheeseburger.

Again, i'm merely suggesting that mothers attempt to do so.
 
Originally posted by: TravisT
Well, i never said they couldn't benefit other things, waggy. 🙂 It's just after those first few weeks, it's not as important as it was at the age of 1 day old. 🙂

The other things Breast Feeding does that is postive for the child can be found in other foods. Foods that we typically eat as adults.

thats the problem we eat them as adults. the first few years is the most important for developing brains and eyes.
 
Originally posted by: waggy

going to 2+ is nuts. But i when my wife was pregnant we were advised it would be good to do it until 3 years of age. I don't think i would want to do it past 1. the teeth have to hurt.

It's not nuts. Read the article I posted.
Teeth don't hurt according to my wife. They COULD of course but nursing is not like biting. The child uses the tongue to squeeze milk out, the teeth don't get involved much.
 
FWIW I don't think I've ever seen a woman not cover it. Maybe once, but the fact is I hardly ever see them breastfeeding in public anyway.
 
Brooke Burke made a comment in the latest FHM (yes I'm finally getting them for free) that America is too sheltered from nudity. I can't help but agree...
 
Originally posted by: djheater
Originally posted by: waggy

going to 2+ is nuts. But i when my wife was pregnant we were advised it would be good to do it until 3 years of age. I don't think i would want to do it past 1. the teeth have to hurt.

It's not nuts. Read the article I posted.
Teeth don't hurt according to my wife. They COULD of course but nursing is not like biting. The child uses the tongue to squeeze milk out, the teeth don't get involved much.

Every nursing woman I've know has complained about biting.
 
Why not just make women wear burkha's when they are outside and we can just have Ashcroft wannabe's clubbing them when they get out of line.


A baby has got to eat. You people trying to force your puritanical morals on others have got to go.
 
Originally posted by: BDawg
Originally posted by: djheater
Originally posted by: waggy

going to 2+ is nuts. But i when my wife was pregnant we were advised it would be good to do it until 3 years of age. I don't think i would want to do it past 1. the teeth have to hurt.

It's not nuts. Read the article I posted.
Teeth don't hurt according to my wife. They COULD of course but nursing is not like biting. The child uses the tongue to squeeze milk out, the teeth don't get involved much.

Every nursing woman I've know has complained about biting.

I don't mean to imply that a child with teeth never bites while nursing, they do, accidentally, not uncommonly. BUT, it's not an everytime thing, it's an accident that happens occasionally, not with every session, at least in my experience. I'm no doctor, I am an advocate for breastfeeding though. 🙂
 
Originally posted by: rh71
Brooke Burke made a comment in the latest FHM (yes I'm finally getting them for free) that America is too sheltered from nudity. I can't help but agree...
Especially if we're talking about her nudity.
 
Originally posted by: Kiyup
Naturally wean at 4.5-5?

I remember things from that age. I wouldn't want to remember suckling my mom.

Then it has never occured to you that the memory might contribute to an even more healthy psyche. Why are you uncomfortable with the possibility of that memory. I find that odd.
 
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