Mothering Magazine is hosting a contest to create an international Breast Feeding symbol. This one, though not one of the finalists, is actually my favorite. I think it's a good idea that we have an international Breast Feeding icon that signals to women that there's a clean and safe place to breastfeed their child. I also believe, however, that if a baby is hungry, a woman should be absolutely free to breastfeed that child where ever she is. Period.
My friend, Gwendolyn, just recently had her own rather unpleasant confrontation over breastfeeding her son in public.
You would think that because we live in Santa Cruz, our small liberal coastal community where even I can walk naked down the beach without being arrested, that breastfeeding would be such a non-issue.
But apparently, it is not. At least for some people.
I'm not a mother, don't have children, have never breastfed and have no plans to ever do so, but even I'm incensed on Gwendolyn's behalf.
If we forbid our mothers to feed our children what nature intended them to eat when our children are hungry, then we are doing a disservice to all of humanity. Not just their mothers.
Breastfeeding a baby is natural. It's healthy. It's best.
I urge you the next time you feel squeamish or uncomfortable with the woman who is breastfeeding her child in public to just remember that that mother is providing her child with the perfect food. And then just quietly leave her alone. She's just doing her job. As nature intended.
