Breastfeeding in public is a contentious issue in America. Most people think “breasts are primarily for enhancing sexual activity” (Wolf). This has created an obsession to an extent that many people fail to consider that “ready access to human milk is vital to babies’ short and long-term health” (Wolf). Public breastfeeding is equated with rudeness, and “women are made to feel uncomfortable with public breastfeeding” (Wolf)this has led to dire consequences resulting to lowered rates of breast-feeding. The declined rates of breast feeding affect the health of mothers and their children.
Compared to cow’s milk, the human milk is low in fat and protein. These create need for constant feeding of baby to provide enough nutrients. It then becomes impossible to breastfeed a baby once before leaving the house, as advocated by those who oppose breast feeding. Those who oppose public breast feeding lack essential knowledge and understanding of both the “composition of human milk and babies’ need” (Wolf)
The negative consequences of bias towards public Breastfeeding comes to light during disaster. During such time, access to baby formula is always difficult. Mother who relies on formula to feed their baby faces a lot of difficulty in feeding their babies. Mother should be able to guarantee the survival of their babies in times of disaster by breastfeeding whether in private or public. But American culture have created a nation that “dissuade women from breastfeeding and put their babies through this completely avoidable horror” (Wolf)
Going back to America culture perception of breast as source of sexual pleasure, it then becomes hard to reverse this notion. As Bill Maher point out in the You Tube video, people see breastfeeding as intimate act. This perception is so firmly ingrained in people mind that find it very difficult to think otherwise. And this creates a need for tolerance, as we are living in a culturally diverse world. Just like with any other human right, breastfeeding should be done in a way that does not make other people uncomfortable. Mothers should exercise discretion when feeding their babies. If a mother is worried that she is going to offend someone by breastfeeding, then they should let the person know that they intend to breastfeed (Lee). This way, the person has an opportunity to leave, instead of the mother leaving. Breastfeeding should be normal and healthy nursing and mother should not have to feed their baby in bathrooms or back rooms (Lee).
The general public on the other hand should exercise tolerance to mothers who have to feed their babies. Most important there is need for American to learn why mothers need to feed their babies constantly. This will change the way people perceive public breastfeeding. Even as the general public change their perception on public breastfeeding, mothers should learn how to nurse their baby discretely, by avoiding to draw attention by exposing breast while breastfeeding in public. Nursing discretely may require wardrobe adjustment by changing the way mothers dress. Mother should consider investing in specially made comfortable tops for breastfeeding. However, even as mothers make adjustments in response to cultural expectation, the health of the child should be given the first priority. Mother should be observant and be aware of baby’s hunger cues especially when in public, and feed the baby when hungry (lee).