Breastfeeding is a topic that is debated often when it comes to how mothers should raise their children. To breastfeed or use formula is a question that all mothers have to ask themselves at some point. Something that may factor into a mothers decision is her ability to produce milk, but stigmas that can be associated with both breastfeeding and formula feeding can influence that decision as well. Breastfeeding in public, shaming mothers for using formula and a lack of private spaces to breastfeed are all points of concern for new and veteran mothers alike.
Krystyn Reid, a resident of Walker, Louisiana and a new mother, said that she felt other mothers were judging her for not being able to breastfeed her son.
"I breastfed for the first couple of weeks," said Reid. "I tried my hardest to pump for him too. My only postpartum depression symptom was the guilt that I felt from not being able to breastfeed him. And because I use formula now, I get some dirty looks from others because I formula feed."
The need for privacy is another main concern for mothers who are able and chose to breastfeed their child. Melissa McMurry, a Texas resident, has seen mothers struggle with this dilemma. She feels that there need to be more private spaces available for mothers and that people should be more understanding of moms when they need to feed or pump.
"There's a stigma and annoyance towards women for needing privacy to even pump, much less breastfeed," said McMurry."There shouldn't be that stigma. It's not fair to them. Telling women not to breastfeed, or pump on their own time, is like telling them they are bothering and intruding on everyone for becoming a mother."
There is also a lot of controversy over women breastfeeding in public. Some moms and others feel like they should be able to breastfeed in public however they choose. Others feel like they should at least wear a cover, and still others think they shouldn't breastfeed in public at all.
Elysa Archibald is a Louisiana mother of two. Archibald advocates for open breastfeeding and feels that mothers should be able to feed their children however they see fit.
"I can't just not leave the house because baby might, will probably, get hungry, scared, overstimulated, thirsty, or tired," said Archibald. "There's nothing remotely sexual about breastfeeding, and women being scared of being judged or ridiculed in public for nursing their infant is a huge deterrent for a lot of women wanting to breastfeed."
"I always fed in public, and I'd use a cover here and there, but not always," said AshLynn Hull, a Louisiana native, and mother of two. "I wasn't going out of my way to make anyone more comfortable and making me and baby uncomfortable in the process."
Jessica Loyd, a Biology major at Southeastern, said that she feels women should be able to breastfeed in public, but they should use covers. Loyd said that her mother used a blanket and covers with her, so she would be more comfortable following in her mom's footsteps.
"Totally breastfeed in public, but train your kids so you can cover at least," said Loyd. "I don't want to see men without their shirts on while I'm having dinner so I don't want to see a breast popped out either. The thing isI I wouldn't be comfortable in public without something covering me. So if I ever have kids, I would do what my mom did so I could feed in public and make myself comfortable as well as the people around me."
Archibald also said that there is a stigma against mothers choosing to breastfeed past the one year mark. She said she has still chosen to breastfeed her 3 year old once a day, but she doesn't tell many people because she fears they won't understand.
"People think of nursing a toddler and the image of the toddler and moms in magazines is what pops into their head," said Archibald. "They don't realize that it's about so much more than nourishment. It's comfort and safety and familiarity. I pray that by the time my girls are mothers they won't have to worry about offending someone if their child needs to nurse while they are out grocery shopping or at a restaurant. "
