2/15/2005: Breastfeeding natural in Venezuela

This one appeared on Yahoo! Most Emailed, which is one of my regular haunts for images; and at first I didn't think much of it, but then jinx forwarded it along as well and she made a great point about it. I add her words here because she says it better than I could.

What a great picture. In the US we still have women having to fight for the 'right' to breastfeed in public and dealing with rude remarks from people suggesting she should 'do that' in the the bathroom - and here's this Venezuelan woman openly breastfeeding while talking to the President of her country. Just imagine GWB in the same situation.

I agree wholeheartedly, with one caution: in most other scenarios, W is a better role model than Chavez.

The guy behind Chavez looks a little reticent about it, though.

I don't think reticent is the word. I think I'd have had some problems looking the woman in the eye, too.

Because you just don't see it enough, right? If it were a common sight I doubt you'd give it a second thought.

Probably.

I was being more facetious than anything else. Personally, I think the American culture is overly obsessed with skin.

Ah, right. NOT reticent that it was, then.

What's with the baby's shoes?

I find this a really tough balance to deal with in public. Firstly, infants shouldn't be permitted in a number of public places, such as the movie theater, etc, but, if stuffing their mouth with some boob gets them to be quiet, I'm all for it.

It's just, you know, some breasts aren't meant to be seen. And even the good ones get mixed emotion out of me when there's a squirming, squealing, poop-machine parasite trying to deflate it for all its worth.

Looks like a nice set. Lucky lil' guy there.

I think its about time for a protest. (too obscure of a reference?)

I think it is possible to breastfeed in public and be so discreet that no one really notices. Obviously, discretion is not something this woman was going for.

I think it is possible to breastfeed in public and be so discreet that no one really notices.

Well, there is certainly a way to do it that make cause no one to care: feed the kid some formula from a bottle. Whatever happened to that method?

I think women should have the right to breastfeed in public, but I think its rude to do so. Just like other natural acts we humans have to do (breastfeeding, changing diapers, talking on the cellphone, having sex) I feel it should be handled in the bathroom instead of a public environment.

Interesting thought: is breast milk considered a potential biological contaminant? It is a fluid secretion from the body....

There's a large group that supports women breast feeding in public. It's called
men.

I was gonna rant on this but jinx took care of pretty much all the arguments. I think this impulse to hide the real function of breasts is probably some remnant of the a middle-class 50's hide your woman in the house, better living through chemistry, culture. Thats over now, move on. Breast milk is more available, cheaper, easier to digest, and designed by (evolution) (God) whatever to provide everything your baby needs (and it takes the baby weight off!). Of course these are just the thoughts of someone who was raised in a conservative Catholic household and was breastfed in church every Sunday as a baby. I'm still waiting for someone to photo shop W into that picture.

How about LJ instead. :p

(Sorry, quick and crude job but you get the picture.)

I agree and disagree here. Yes, discression is called for - mostly because here in the US, breasts are considered sexual. This does not mean, however, that breastfeeding should be hidden or shoved off into the restroom. There's absolutely nothing sexual about it whatsoever, aside from people seeing a boob and thinking, 'ooh! Sex!' (which is the biggest reason it makes so many people uncomfortable, I think)

Discression is as easy as a little baby blanket thrown over the shoulder, a shawl, a wide scarf, or shirts that are made with vents in them so as not to be hanging out all over or drawing attention to yourself. I nursed my babies just about wherever I went. I don't think many people ever noticed, much less became uncomfortable around me.

Drat...I can't post my response to all of this because of the 'net nanny. It is hard to discuss this topic while under the Big Brother scanner.

RE vented shirts - that's what my wife used. It was funny, the other week I was having a conversation with someone, and didn't even realize she was breast feeding her baby until the kid stopped. It can be VERY descrete. I thought the kid was just snuggled up.

Anyway - totally natural, and doesn't bother me - I end up looking at the kid more than the teat

How do we know the President isn't telling the lady off for breastfeeding in public?

Anyway, if women want to breastfeed in public WITHOUT COMPLAINT from men, they're going to have to let men do what THEY do with breasts (i.e. ogle them) in public WITHOUT COMPLAINT.

Yeah, that'll happen.

Doesn't it embarrass you as men to be staring at a stranger's boob? I have to question the maturity level of anyone who can't stop himself from staring at someone else's body part. I am baffled by anyone who would recommend a woman feed her child a man made powdered formula chock full of preservatives simply because he can't be a grown up and take the situation for what it is. A woman providing nourishment for her child. Geez, go get yourself a playboy and hide in the bathroom you are so fond of.

Personnally I have no problem with public breast feeding though I do admitt I can see a balance point that most women cover with a blanket while doing so. I actually find it far more rude in public to have unruly loud and obnoxios kids and not do a damned thing to curb them. I am not just talking the look we are haveing some fun at the store crowd. I mean those yelling, running up and down the aisles, knocking things over, screaming at their own parent types that you want to pick up by their feet and spank then give their parents a good swat for not teaching the kids any public manners.
TO the breastfeeding thing. SOmeone said it and it is the Deitys honest truth. Our country is obsessed with skin. what do you expect from the (generally speaking) decendents of a people thrown out of their England for being up tight.

Breasts....... why are people so hung up about it? I'm rather partial to them, myself.

Tell me - Why can a male go around all day with no shirt and noone notices, and a female can flash a breast for a second and everyone wants to have a shit fit. Let's get real here. A breast is a breast, no matter how large or small it may be. And why is a woman's breast automatically corelated to sex? What do they have to do (directly) with the actual act of having sex? You fondle the breast to stimulate your partner. You don't "fuck" the breast, so what's the big deal? I reckon next some asshole will start saying a person's lip's are a vulgar sight. After all, you usually carress the lips as a stimulation also.
I've heard that a man's attraction to women's breasts is a subconsious longing to be cuddled by his mom, like in infancy. Maybe all men are really " Momma's Boys"........

You don't "fuck" the breast, so what's the big deal?

Who says?

bottle is not as good.

Basics...Why do women’s breasts protrude more than men’s (generally) do?
Hello....it’s to attract men’s attention. Mature men’s attention.
Absolutely flat chested women can feed their children. The rest is for us. So don’t be ragging on us for doing what comes naturally. You wave ‘em and we’ll salute.

I was allergic to my mother’s milk. Damn near killed me before they figured it out.

OK....... so you CAN fuck the breast. There are probably other orfices & crevices that would suffice. People don't freak out when they are in plain sight, though. That is my point.
FACTOID: It is easier to fuck TWO breasts. I got it on my first try.............

I'd like for once to hear a woman say, as a topless guy sachets by, " Hot damn! ; look at the tits on that dude!"

Personally I never got any responses (that I noticed anyway) good or bad when I nursed in public. I just covered us up with a blankie and away we went. I have a right to feed my child, who has a right to eat when she's hungry. But I also respected the right of others to not have to be subjected to something that makes them uncomfortable. Now, if fat women in spandex would only learn to cover up...