Of course I have not yet been in a position to test what the general or the Pagan public think of breastfeeding in public. But, simple mind that I am, I used to think that Pagans, who pride themselves about being open-minded and having a good relationship with their bodies ("skyclad", anyone?) would at least be more polite and considerate when it comes to such a topic. Obviously that is not always the case. And this made me wonder, for after all there are certainly enough goddesses depicted as either "whipping out their boobs in public" or even breast-feeding! This is what I found on the internet within ten minutes:
- Asherah, the "nursing goddess" of the Israelites. It is said that she was often portrayed as a woman with extended breasts.
- Tethys, a Titan goddess, is described as breast-feeding one of the Neiades in one document. She was also the wet nurse of Hera.
- Dea Nutrix figurines, pipeclay figurines of nursing women, were found in graves not only in Gaule, but also in the previously Roman parts of Great Brittain.
- Isis is known to have nursed her son Horus, and was often depicted as nursing pharaos.
- Hathor is sometimes depicted with bare breasts as well.
- Then there is Rumina, Roman goddess of breast-feeding. I do not think she was depicted as sitting in a room all covered up.
- Many of the Minoan so-called "snake goddesses" were bare-breasted as well.
- A Spanish statue of Astarte had hollow breasts "producing" milk occasionally (for more details, go here).
8 Kommentare:
I breastfed my son and, yup, it happened in public time to time. With a blanket, of course.
When it comes to breastfeeding, I'm neither rabidly pro or anti. It's a matter that each mother must decide for herself.
And none of us should give anybody else a hard time for such a *personal* decision.
People need to grow up and just accept these kinds of choices. I don't say, "Ew, formula smells gross. How could you feed that to your child", and I would appreciate it if people would get over the whole breastfeeding thing. It's not like we're exhibitionists. Babies get hungry. Our natural instinct is to feed them.
Whether its a bottle or a boob just doesn't matter to me. Let me feed my baby my way (well, it's been a long time since my son was a baby!), and you can feed your baby your way. The end (at least for me).
And, no, it is definitely not disgusting. I do believe in a discreet covering and, to be honest, it gives me warm fuzzies to see a mom with a baby under a blanket or a scarf, because I know what they're doing. It makes me remember all of those lovely bonding times with my son years ago.
And if I see a mom feeding a baby a bottle? I don't care!!! Feed the baby. I don't care how you do it. I'm not going to whip out arguments about why one is better than the other, because that's not what matters to me.
It's that children are fed. Simple. :)
I have breastfed three babies now, many times in public without fear although I did always keep the baby and the breast under a blanket. That was my choice and what was comfortable for me although I've seen a few not bother with the blanket. I think most aren't used to seeing that and it bothers them. Probably the worst things that happened to me were with my oldest daughter I had to get a male co-worker to unlock a door to an office so I could breast-pump and he was highly offended and told me "that was too much information for him". What?!? With my second child a male manager once gave me no option but to go breast pump in a locked public restroom stall on the toilet - VERY unsanitary by the way. These type issues are why it really is all around better for the mother to not work outside the home in those early years but that was never an option I had.
I breast fed all five of my children (sooo long ago now) and I'm happy to say I never experienced a bad reaction to it. I always nursed discretely but without a blanket. I found provided I was careful with my choice of clothing it attracted less attention that hiding baby under a blanket. No one ever complained. Most people didn't even notice. I had a long conversation with my mum's manager once while I was nursing my son and he chatted away completely oblivious. I find it amazing, in this day and age, that some people still have hang ups about a baby being breast fed. No one has the right to critise a mother's choice, be it breat or bottle. Would they rather listen to a crying, hungry baby?
Hi! Don't know if you've seen the 'tag' posts going around, but I was tagged and have now tagged you! If you wanna join in the fun see my post at http://multifacetedexperience.blogspot.com/2012/01/tag-im-it.html
Thanks!
Kourtney
People are asshats. Breastfeeding is normal and natural. I don't run around telling people to cover their heads when they eat.
I breastfeed. In public. I don't cover up because Flintstone will have none of it. I don't flaunt it by any means. I figure, if someone has a problem with it, that person has deep seated issues with women, sexuality, and/or babies. Poor them.
Though I am not a mother and have no experience in raising children of my own let alone breastfeeding - I see no problem with it! This person was just being a douche.
Hi, I've been reading your blog. My .02: I breastfed both of my children, in public, without a covering--one of those who just whips it out and doesn't really care. The only thing I cover is my belly, cause no one needs to see that! ;) Luckily I live in a place where people don't seem to care about public breastfeeding. I've never had anything said to me about it either.
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