Thursday, November 20, 2008

Ranting and breastfeeding and coming full circle.

I was reading a blog the other day about breastfeeding. The blogger simply stated that she absolutely did not like breastfeeding, but was still committed to it as long as it was working out with her and her child. I started to read through the comments section and believe me when I say that if I would have read every comment it would have taken me and hour and a half. Good gracious people can get opinionated fast! These comments were no-so-much geared towards "well bless you for nursing your children, even though it's not fun"--but more along the lines of "WHAT?!? You don't ENJOY sacrificing your body for the good of your child? WHAT KIND OF MOTHER ARE YOU!" and "SHAME ON THE LAST PERSON WHO POSTED because I disagree with not only everything they said but also everything they think and feel and do and I think they're ugly even though this is the internet and I can't see their picture." The idea of the original post soon was completely lost in the murky waters of breastfeeding vs. formula wars. You'd think that the author of the blog had simply said "Breastfeeding! GO!" and sent the commenters loose.

I have seen more and more of this on facebook and sometimes I wonder what life would be like if I just simply cancelled my account. Lately the craziness has stemmed from posts (and sometimes just status updates) that you'd think had shouted "Prop 8! GO!" And then everybody jumps down everyone else's throats. The same arguments are spouted again and again, and there's always 2 or 3 people that dominate the conversation that have to put down every last word someone opposing them has said. I can't stand the fight, especially when I've heard all the arguments a thousand times. I admit I sometimes give in and state my opinion or my stance--but that's about as far as I like to go. I hate confrontation, and I really do believe that everyone should be treated with respect. What IS it about the internet that turns usually polite people into rude, in-your-face monsters? It must be the seeming anonymity, and the feeling that there is enough distance between you and a virtual person who perhaps doesn't seem real.

Anywho, those are my thoughts for today. And now I would like to publicly state that I have breastfed both of my children. It was painful at first, but I was glad I did it in the end--despite the floppiness that has replaced the perkiness I used to enjoy. Sometimes nursing was fun, and I loved the bonding. Sometimes it was a nightmare because it was 2:30 am and I really needed to go to the potty but I was NURSING so obviously I couldn't. (But that part was also fun because I caught up on a ton of my reading in the wee hours.) And then sometimes it was just aggravating because Buttercup would run away and then come back for more. When that happens you know it's time to stop nursing (at least for me). And so I did. And I didn't feel guilty about giving my child a bottle of formula for a couple of months. But I did feel proud of myself for giving my children the extra nutrition that will be so beneficial to them throughout their lives.

What I'd really like to discuss is nursing in public--but not at length. Okay maybe I'll wait for my next post. And PLEASE, tell me your opinions. I'm sure all five of my readers are very polite and well-articulated folks. I will turn on the comments without fear.

5 comments:

Katie Lane said...

EWE! BREASTFEEDING IN PUBLIC IS NASTY!
just kidding.
It's not always possible to go hide yourself while nursing, and I like to be around my family and friends and chat with them! So I think it's okay as long as you are covering yourself. I'm not saying you need a tent, but just make sure you aren't showing your boob to the world. I'd rather people not see my boobs, which I can empathize with you on their lack of perkiness. Oh the things we do for our kids.

Katie Lane said...

Oh and I forgot to say I was breastfeeding when I wrote that.

Sofia Dowse said...

I love you... \

Mikelle and Ben said...

I loved breastfeeding. And I must agree that it did hurt at first but after that it was great. I think breastfeeding in public is perfectly fine as long as people cover up. I would always carry around a big blanket just in case I did have to nurse in public!

Mrs Ana said...

Okay, I'm one of the non-breastfeeding gals. I didn't enjoy it at all. It was painful and it made my baby sick. I only did it for a month. I really didn't care what people thought of me. Yes I was told my kids wouldn't be as smart but that wasn't true. All my kids are smart! Maybe they lack a little common sense but you can't have everything!! Anyway, I don't think it's a bad thing just wasn't for me. I don't have a problem with breastfeeding in public as long as the mothers is covered up! It's the natural thing to do. I don't discourage women not to. It's a personal choice and we should just respect each other.