Every morning, I make it a habit to scroll through Odyssey to see what my fellow creators have produced. In a sea of gif-centric listicles, pop-culture references, and relationship advice—not to undermine these styles, because I know I love 'em—typically it is the political and current-event geared articles that jump off of the screen to me.
To my dismay, I came across an article entitled "Please, Stop Breastfeeding In Public".
Initially, I was hoping the title to be misleading. I thought it would surely be a satirical piece, underscoring the injustice of body/mom-shaming and highlighting the practical and ethical reasons that mothers are entitled to the *cough cough* LEGAL RIGHT to breastfeed in public.
However, as I kept reading, it became increasingly clear that this wasn't the case, and the sporadic listicle essentially highlights all of the reasons the author "doesn't want to see" mothers breastfeeding in public.
Now, typically rebuttals aren't my thing. If I composed a counter-argument for all the articles I disagreed with online, I would never sleep. However, in my coffee-induced rage, I felt this fundamentally selfish article riddled with self-contradiction warranted a response. So here it is - point by point.
"Clearly, this woman was trying to antagonize the people around her."
First and foremost, the argument given is kicked off (and finished) by referencing this viral photo of a woman, Brittni Medina, who was breastfeeding at Disneyland. The author, in a nutshell, claims that if Ms. Medina hadn't posted a picture and caused a scene, the fact that she was publicly breastfeeding would've been a non-issue. The author claims that she doesn't "know the whole story of this photo," and then comments on how Ms. Medina shouldn't have shamed the women photographed in the background for their negative reaction to her breastfeeding.
A simple check of the origin of this photo would indicate that Ms. Medina had no intent to document herself breastfeeding her son, until the women in the photograph made snarky comments and she felt inclined to defend her right, and the right of other women, to nurse in public. The author claims these women have the right to their opinion and should not be shamed, but while we're on the topic, we should also mention the rights of Ms. Medina nursing her child in public and using social media as she sees fit.
"There is absolutely no reason why this woman couldn't have covered herself up if she had to breastfeed in public."
They do make blankets for women to breastfeed with. Some mothers use them, some don't, and that is their prerogative. Legally, they are protected either way in 49 of the 50 United States—including DC and the Virgin Islands—and realistically, how many times have you seen the entirety of the women's breast when nursing?
"Sure, breastfeeding is natural. But, should everyone have to watch something just because it's natural? No. Guess what else is natural? Pooping."
I'm really not sure that this argument even dignifies a response, but I'm going to try my best.
I think most rational people would agree that breastfeeding is not on the same plain as "pooping." Doing one of these things in public is unsanitary, disgusting, and presents a health risk to others, and the other is beneficial for a child and doesn't pose any sort of risk to anyone else. I'll let you sort out which is which.
*Side note—you know what is gross? Thinking about eating in a public bathroom, which is where most people with a problem in regard to breastfeeding expect mothers to nurse.
"I'm not upset that I can see your boobs because they're sexual. I'm upset I can see your boobs because they're your boobs."
The beautiful thing about eyes is that you can close them, or even better, move them. I'm not sure that an article can really adjust someone's comfort level with seeing someone else's breasts, but it is not a ridiculous notion to value a baby's health over the discomfort of a few.
In this section, the author states, "Believe it or not, you can breastfeed in public without making a scene. Breastfeeding in public shouldn't have to be a big deal." For the first time in this article, I agree! Ask yourself, how often is it that the mother of the child is the one who creates a public disturbance over breastfeeding? I'm sure that if more public places offered clean and private places for mothers to nurse, they would go there. No one wants judgmental eyes on them, but they're just doing what they can for themselves and their child. Leave them be, and I'm sure there won't be a scene.
"You should NEVER be shamed for breastfeeding, but there's no reason you cant breastfeed in public while still having manners and consideration for the people around you."
To the author, if "never" means "never" then stop doing it. It is a fallacy that most mother's nurse in public because they want to cause a scene. Take your own advice, and have "manners and consideration for the people around you".
To not support breastfeeding in public is to not support breastfeeding at all. The benefits to the mother and child of the family you're ostracizing far outweigh any misplaced discomfort you may feel. If you don't want to see it—don't look.
