WHY the issue?

[Aleida]

"Breastfeeding"-that word alone causes anyone to have an opinion, a side, a theory, etc. It is such a charged topic!

Example: I was discussing with a colegue of mine that I plan on breastfeeding, and will do so as long as he/she wants-even if that means 2 or 3 years. She was utterly shocked and "ewwed" about it. But, WHERE does this come from?!

WHY is it considered by some to be "icky" or "inappropriate beyond a certain age" or "not okay to do in public" etc, etc.?

In our evolution as humans, or de-evolution (depending how you look at things!) at what point down the road did BF become an issue for some? Evolution selected for women who breastfed, as those who didn't obviously wouldn't have offspring that survived to reproduce. In evolutionary terms, breastfeeding was a necessity (not just for us, but for the survival of all other mammals).

It just startles me, from an evolutionary perspective, that parts of humanity would question feeding the best food to our youngest members of society.

I would love to know more on the history of breastfeeding -especially in our culture. I wonder if there are good documents or literature on breastfeeding in the past and when it changed (was it just the formula propaganda that diminished BF, or was it something more before that?)

Any info would be great!

[crystal555rose]

I will look for some info but I wanted to comment on your post now. I have thought a lot about this. I was apprehensive about breastfeeding despite having a mom and aunt that breastfed and a total committment to breastfeeding.

My apprehension about breastfeeding came from the fact that prior to having kids my breasts were primarily a sexual organ. I had a million questions and worries. How can a sexual organ be a feeding organ? Will they no longer be sexual? Sex and breastfeeding a baby seemed fundamentally at odds yet they involved the same organ! I was also too embarrassed to ask the experienced women in my life and I did not find this website until I was about 3 weeks postpartum and having a really hard time breastfeeding.

Now that I breastfeed a 22 month old I see that this is a non-issue. My breasts know the difference. I feel bad for underestimating them.

This is one of many reasons breastfeeding is taboo in our culture. Breasts are for sex. Combine that with a lack of knowledge, experience and exposure to breastfeeding and you have a culture that thinks breastfeeding is "icky".

I hate how "breast is best" is always mentioned but generally disregarded. Prenatal care and birth classes should make pregnant moms review this: http://www.promom.org/101/ And there should be a lot of support and reassuring new moms before baby is born.

I think breastfeeding advocacy should be a top priority of healthcare practitioners. After reading the promom list it becomes obvious that breastfeeding is the foundation of lifelong health.

[Aleida]

Great website- just checked it out. Thanks! Yes- it seems the sex organ turned feeding organ is the difficult part for our culture (and ourselves) to embrace.