Barbara Walters is under fire from the pro-breastfeeding lobby in New York after she said on "The View" that she felt "uncomfortable" when a nursing mom started suckling her child next to her on a flight.
Miriam Arond, editor-in-chief of Child magazine, told Page Six that Walters' comments were "bizarre" as she had been a "trailblazer for women."
She added, "Breast-feeding is very fashionable now. Mothers like Pamela Anderson, Madonna, Jada Pinkett Smith, Princess Diana, Laura Bush and even Hillary Clinton all breast-fed."
--Breastfeeding is fashionable? I have a few friends who have babies, and they never do that in public. If it's absolutely necessary (like on a plane ride or something) I'd totally understand. But, most people don't want to see you whip out the milk bar in full view.
Posted by Lawren at June 13, 2005 07:17 AM
You Said
besides, she didn't say she was uncomfortable with it, just uncomfortable seeing it! Jeeze O Pete!
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robin at June 13, 2005 09:24 AM
The La Leche League needs to remember that other folks have the right to voice an opinion too.I really don't care if it's done discreetly but I've seen women who seemed to want to make a statement with their bare breasts and baby.
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Nanc' at June 13, 2005 09:50 AM
breastfeeding is a very difficult thing to do, but as all sources agree that it is the best thing to do for your child for a variety of reasons, i wouldn't condemn it until you have been in that position. sometimes the alternative to feeding in public is a very unhappy screaming baby in public, and that certainly draws a bigger crowd.
though i agree, it can be done very discreetly.
ya knew you were going to draw one of us zealots out of the crowd.
also- please don't ever suggest to a nursing mother to feed her baby in the bathroom. would you like to eat in there?
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Apedogg at June 13, 2005 12:50 PM
Walters and anyone else who is uncomfortable seeing someone breastfeed certainly has the right to say so.
But breastfeeding has nothing to do with being fashionable. It's simply a way - the most convenient and least costly way, in my opinion - to feed one's child. I'd much rather a fed baby than a screaming baby.
And I don't think it's fair to expect women to hide out in their homes for 6 months or a year or however long they breastfeed so as to avoid offending someone's delicate sensibilities. On the other hand, one can certainly be discreet about the process.
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Kelly at June 13, 2005 01:01 PM
I think it's the faction of people who want to make a statement about it that bother me.
I worked in a restaurant all thru college (this was back in the late 80s/early 90s) and saw women several times breast feeding babies in the dining room. 90% of the time they'd throw a blanket over themselves so as to avoid exposure.
The middleground is simple: at least make an attempt at discretion.
But whenever I'd make my "middleground" statement, I'd get treated like a narrow minded caveman.
I get tired of the "all or nothing" arguments for any cause and the subsequent shouting down of anybody who contradicts them. It doesn't serve anybody's cause.
And furthermore: "milk bar"...FUNNY!!!! :-)
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Kevvy the Unnamed Source at June 13, 2005 01:54 PM
I think that it is a personal opinion that she felt uncomfortable, but I wonder what the circumstances were. did the women whip it out or was she discreet?
I would be very angry if my kid was hungry and I chose to feed her in public and someone actually said something to me. Would I rather leave my kid hungry? I don't think so. i personally never have breast fed in public, but if my child needed food, then my first and foremost responsibility is my child, not others people's comfort.
People can choose to be respectful of others. We all know there is a discreet way to go about this and it's not hard to be discreet.
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kendra at June 13, 2005 04:08 PM
up until now, a faithful reader of your blog, I have been very entertained. however, your comments about breastfeeding make me sick enough to delete you from my favorites list. breastfeeding is natural and an excellent way to nuture a baby. it is accessible anytime of the day and anywhere, but who the hell cares if a woman wants to feed their hungry baby? just because you are an uncomfortable aged prude about nursing doesn't mean that it is a bad thing or should only be done when "NECESSARY." Im not doggin those who choose not to breastfeed, just don't dog those that do.
p.s. your friends suck
p.s.s your blog is so LATE on the news :)
have fun with your ill-opinionated blog inserts...
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kris at June 14, 2005 09:10 AM