Breastfeeding and the Sexual Objectification of Women Essay

The audience intended for this paper are mothers that have a desire to breastfeed, employers, clinicians, breastfeeding advocacy groups and federal and state legislators involved in policy change.

One of the things fueling the force against breastfeeding in public is that not a lot of people know how beneficial breastfeeding over formula feeding is for the child. According to The Economic Benefits of Breastfeeding: A Review and Analysis Written by Jon p. Weimer, the majority of the American infants were breastfed up until around 1950. In the last 50 years alone, breastfeeding has changed significantly with the creation of synthetic formula, causing the number of infants being breastfed to dwindle off. Between 1946 and 1956, the number of infants being breastfed fell by half, and by 1967 only 25% of America’s infant population was being breastfed at the time of hospital discharge. The numbers proceeded to increase and decrease in the

There are some negatively surrounded to breastfeeding too, but most of it from individual’s point-of-views. One of the major issue women feel about breastfeeding is that it makes other people feel uncomfortable in the surrounding area.

Breastfeeding is one of the best methods for providing infants with a healthy start to life. Breast milk helps the body fight off various bacteria and viruses that one’s child might be at risk for catching. Breastfed babies are thirty-six percent less likely to die from sudden infant death syndrome and are fifty-five percent likely to become obese later in life, compared to babies who are not breastfeed. (Workplace and Public Accommodations for Nursing Mothers, 2016) Not only is the child benefiting from breastfeeding, the mother is as well. Women who breastfeed are more likely to revert to their

     There are many reasons to breast-feed, but the most important reasons have to do with the health of you and your child. Did you know that breast-feeding is possibly linked to reducing the risk of breast cancer that occurs before menopause (Eisenberg, Murkoff, and Hathaway 5) ? Nursing also helps a women recover after child birth. It is part of a natural cycle and will help your uterus go back to pre-pregnancy size.

Breast-feeding was introduced in the 1800s as an alternative to avoid deadly illnesses that were travelling from Spain, Middle East and Asia. In the 1860s scientists began supplementing animals’ milk as formula; especially for mothers who were not able to breast-feed. By the twentieth century, the United States “experienced a sharp decline in breast-feeding rates for infants and toddlers” (Lerner, 2006, p. 362). The reason for decreasing rates in breast-feeding were due to breast-feeding was seen as public indecency, mothers were headed back to work, and mothers were not encourage to breast-feed their child because some people saw it embarrassing. Due to not enforcing laws that were established for breastfeeding mothers; mothers are not comfortable to breast-feed in public from indecency exposure law, allowed flexibility to feed infant during work hours and also protecting a mother’s well-being to breast-feeding in public without embarrassment.

Women in the work force have several things to contend with, like jobs not having a place for mom to pump, having adequate time for mom to spend pumping, and the stresses of being in the work force can cause lack of production alone. It took me until my third child to be able to exclusively breastfeed and having been a part of the work force for the first two I can attest the difficulties that come along with it. With my oldest was breastfed and I pumped at work. I had a place to pump, but the only times I was allowed to pump on my assigned breaks, which left little time for lunch or anything else. The increasing stress of the job reduced my milk, to which my doctor suggested supplements to help. After only four short months I completely lost the ability to breastfeed. In Brody’s article she mentions the emotional distress that mothers encounter when they are unsuccessful in breastfeeding their infants. I think this partly is due to the push by the campaigners to breastfeed only, or at least the first six months. Women after having babies are in recovery. As my OBGYN explained to me, women are reclaiming their bodies, their hormones are all out of whack and trying to return to some form of “normal”. This can be part of the increasing numbers of women with post-partum

Mother’s breastfeeding in public should be universally accepted because it would allow mothers to feed their infants without fear, allow mothers to provide the most complete form of nutrition to their babies, and desexualize the act of breastfeeding.

Breastfeeding with no attempt at being unnoticeable tends to be lacking, but have people really pondered what nourishment is secure, compelling, and promptly accessible? That is designed to individual needs, naturally agreeable, effortless, offers long haul insurance, is free and as a reaction is a weight reduction strategy? Would it be able to envision somebody being victimized for utilizing such an incredible item? Women were given breasts with mammary glands so they could feed and nourish their young. Unfortunately, some people just don't see that. And it is one of the most discussed topics currently. There are numerous individuals who feel that breastfeeding ought not to be seen in broad daylight, but rather in all trustworthiness it is not generally advantageous for a mother to run and stow away when it's an ideal opportunity to bolster her child; a lady does not settle on the choice to breastfeed in light of popular supposition, or accommodation. Breastfeeding in public should be universally accepted because changes need to be made with formula companies, medical professionals, and the public opinion of breastfeeding in order to give nursing mothers the support they deserve.

Breastfeeding in public is very hot in the media right now. Mothers everywhere are being shamed for feeding their babies in public even though it is what's best for the mothers and the babies. “Breast milk contains antibodies that protect infants from bacteria and viruses. Breastfed children have fewer ear, respiratory…” (Legislatures). Instead of verbally abusing the women who breastfeed in public other ladies need to support the new mothers by knowing what the law states about breastfeeding in public and protecting the mother’s rights.

Being a first-time mom, you don’t always have time to do everything you did when you didn’t have a baby. Breastfeeding mother can sometimes feel overwhelmed because they don’t always want to feed in public or around others, this can make the flexibility a lot more difficult. Breastfeeding mothers also get nasty comments about feeding their child in public or around family and friends that don’t like

One of the reasons why this essay was so informative to me and was effective in showing the author’s views is because she assumed that the reader didn’t know much about breastfeeding and responded to criticism. It went very in depth as to what the benefits are and what concerns people may have. However, in some instances, like when the author mentioned postpartum depression, having a previous knowledge of this term and its implications

"The benefits for mothers who breastfeed include but are not limited to reduced risks for breast and ovarian cancer, diabetes, hypertension, and cardiovascular disease" (Hubbard, J. M., & Gattman, K. R., 2017, p. 90). Antibodies from the mother are passed on through breastmilk as well which helps the infant's system fight off colds for example. "These antibodies will help your infant conquer the cold germs quickly and effectively " (New Mother's Guide to Breastfeeding, 2nd Edition, paragraph

To understand the argument of breastfeeding in public and whether it is politically correct, we must first know the definition of politically correct and breastfeeding. The Merriam Webster dictionary says that politically correct is “agreeing with the idea that people should be careful to not use language or behave in a way that could offend a particular group of people.” It is considered legal to breastfeed in public across the United States, but society frowns upon the idea. Woman were blessed with the natural ability to offer their infant the nourishment of breastmilk. There are different debates that arise when the mother decides to breastfeed in public. A select group of individuals to this day, view breastfeeding in public, as sexually offensive and indecent. It is to be determined by the woman to breastfeed in public, and if she finds it suitable. This is because a blanket or

Every human being born from their mother’s womb most likely have been breastfeed before. Breastfeeding is the best thing a mother could give to her baby, besides a roof over his or her head, love, and affection. Babies being breastfeed get their nutrients from their mother. Mother's shouldn’t have to put the need of feeding their child because someone does not like seeing it. The healthier the baby is the better chance of survival. Babies must eat just like we do. Their mothers can’t just neglect their needs. Neglect is against the law and a form of child birth.