Re: Breastfeeding in Public

I find it inappropriate that ten-year-old girls are wearing shorts that show their butts and shirts that show their bellies. Shouldn't it be immoral to dress children in revealing clothes? And yet, all of America can buy those clothes where America shops at places like Wal-Mart and K-Mart.

It seems to me that most of the American people have their heads up their butts when they think it is OK to dress children alluringly but not to feed them naturally.

I grieve for poor Anna. She does not deserve to be sacrificed for the "letter of the law".

I couldn't agree more, AB Editor. Thong underwear made for 8 year olds? I don't even want to think about the "beauty pageant" circuit for little girls...the hair and makeup they put on little girls literally makes me queasy and appalled. I'd be a lot less uneasy about beauty pageants for little girls if they looked like LITTLE GIRLS and not cheap hookers (or expensive hookers for that matter). Also, I can't for the life of me understand the stick Americans have up their butts about breastfeeding in public(I don't know how it is in other countries...America is all I can comment on because I live there). Should breastfeeding mothers sequester themselves at home until their children are "weened?" Or maybe they should let their infants go hungry and scream and cry in distress in public until the mother can find a dark corner to huddle in or a rock to hide under to "cover her shame" while she "does her business." I'm ashamed that Americans have taken something as natural and wholesome as breastfeeding and made it into something "dirty" or inappropriate. I personally have NEVER witnessed a mother breastfeeding in public that was doing so in a flagrant or showy fashion; it has always been little more than a lifted shirt and a small head covering a discreetly exposed breast. Am I to infer that people think there is a SEXUAL nature to breastfeeding???? I hate that any breastfeeding mother has to concern herself over what others might think when her baby's hunger calls. I think the "no breastfeeding in public" attitude is evidential of a society that places little value on the welfare of it's children in general. It seems that very few places outside of a child's home are very friendly to their needs i.e. are there any child-sized toilets or sinks in public restrooms anywhere? Any places to seat your child safely in a restroom while you use the facility? Any restaurants who don't have absolutely FILTHY high-chairs or booster seats if they have them at all? On that subject, what about chilren's menus in restaurants--deep-fried chicken fingers with french fries or a hot dog with fries is all that ever seems to be offered on any menu. Offering over-sweetened applesauce in place of fries is not my idea of a step in a healthy direction and nine times out of ten if I request the applesauce in place of the fries for my child, I get the fries anyway! I guess my point here is that the world at large seems to be an unfriendly place to venture out into with a child. I know I never go on any outing without a banana in my purse and a sippy cup full of milk so I know my son will have a good snack. I wish mothers who breastfeed could feel at ease about doing a good/necessary thing for their child, too. There, I guess that's the end of my rant.

"I hate that any breastfeeding mother has to concern herself over what others might think when her baby's hunger calls."

I agree completely!

"are there any child-sized toilets or sinks in public restrooms anywhere?"

The Cherry Creek Mall here in Denver has amazing Family Rest Rooms. There are adult and child sized toilets, a large, cushioned changing table, child and adult sized sinks and yes, a comfortable chair for a mother to nurse her child. Sadly, in all my travels, this is the only such place I've seen but it really is a wonderful "Family" rest room!

"I know I never go on any outing without a banana in my purse and a sippy cup full of milk so I know my son will have a good snack"

I do the same thing! We actually have a mini lunchbox that will hold some of my son's favorites like apples, grapes, pretzels, and grape tomatoes. I also always bring bottles of water for both of us. The way I see it, oversugared fruit juice from a fast food place is nothing I want going into my kid!