In the 2008 Breastfeeding Challenge, Canada registered the highest number of participants raising awareness over the importance of breastfeeding.
"Every baby has a right to eat, and every woman has the right to feed their baby," said Maryanne King, the lactation consultant for the Prince Albert Parkland Health Region.
In Prince Albert two mothers came to the challenge for the "latch-on" time at 11 a.m. Brittany Stevenson was there with her baby Chaz Nayneecassum because she thinks there needs to be less stigma surrounding breastfeeding.
She has received stares and rude comments.
"People do make you feel uncomfortable when you try and breastfeed in public, it kind of bothers me a little bit," she said.
"It's not like were exhibitionists," said Diana Glawischnig, as she fed her baby, Alex.
Breastfeeding has become a taboo in public because of the way women's bodies are portrayed, Janelle Amyotte, public health nurse at the Prince Albert Parkland Health Region.
"We have breasts to feed out babies, that is the natural evolution of things," she said.
"We don't have them to be strippers, we don't have them to be porn stars; we have them so that we can feed our children. And it says a lot about how our society has sexualized the breast over time."
In the 1950s, when baby formula was pushed as the better way to feed children, the knowledge of breastfeeding diminished.
King said historically there was no need for a person in her role because the information about breastfeeding would be passed from woman to woman.
Amyotte has lots of reasons why breastfeeding and breast milk is better then formula for babies: boosts immune system, easy to digest, sterile, and "it's ready, at the right temperature, and portable."
"It also helps parents spend more time with their children, you can have just anybody give a bottle," said Amyotte.
Research has shown that breastfeeding has reduced the risk of breast cancer and reduces the chance a variety of health problems in children including diabetes, allergies, asthma, heart disease and obesity.
Feeding babies from a bottle can create "overeating habits" at a young age as milk constantly flows from a bottle. Babies have to "work" at breastfeeding so they cannot be forced to eat more then they want, says Amyotte.
For women worried about how their bodies might look, Amyotte says breastfeeding does not cause breasts to sag: that is caused by hormones and the weight changes during pregnancy.
"If you breastfeed longer than six months then you're much more able to lose your weight to get back to your pre-pregnant weight," said King.
ahill@paherald.sk.ca
Mothers tout benefits of breastfeeding
Mothers tout benefits of breastfeeding
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- Published on October 14th, 2008
- Published on November 3rd, 2009
- Angela Hill
In the 2008 Breastfeeding Challenge, Canada registered the highest number of participants raising awareness over the importance of breastfeeding.
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Comments
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- Frank
- - November 20th, 2009 at 12:49:32
The ladies may be proud of their achievements in raising awareness . Without their heroic self-sacrifice, people may never have found out about this awful truth.
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- Dee
- - November 20th, 2009 at 08:28:07
A few years ago I was in a nice cafe in PA when a pretty little Mom came in with her pretty little baby and a friend of Moms. They sat down and Mom proceeded to nurse baby and all was sweet. That is until I looked over a little ways and saw two old men snickering and elbowing each other as they stared at this girls breast. Yes I can say it and all they other parts as well. They weren't men that people would think of as low lives or any of perverts they were just well dressed old men that this girl bared her breasts for. Please tell me how this in anyway benefited that baby? All it did was give a cheap thrill to a couple of dirty old men. And I'm not saying Mom was doing anything wrong . I'm saying why put yourself in that position?
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- cassidy
- - November 20th, 2009 at 04:45:34
As stated before, when you cover your head with a small cotton blanket to eat, I will cover my child's head.
Remember, it doesn't hurt and I hear that its classy too! -
- Cover it UP
- - November 20th, 2009 at 00:57:25
TO annoyed in NV, BC, have to agree with Inappropriate, this has nothing to do with shame of the body. Better place to celebrate than in the middle of the mall.
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- gail
- - November 20th, 2009 at 00:01:03
My only question. Why is okay to bare your breasts in public for those breastfeeding months of your life, while modestly covering them up the rest of your life? Having manners means not embarrasing or causing distress to others. It is not whether or not you have the right to breast feed in public, it is whether or not you have the right to forget your manners and ignore others' feelings. Your child deserves to be respected and offered modesty as well.
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- Another Mother
- - November 19th, 2009 at 22:03:57
To Breastfeeding Advocate. There is nothing wrong with breastfeeding in public. That alone is fine, but please show respect for others and drape a nursing blanket over yourself. Draping a nursing blanket over your chest is really not hard. I've breastfed two beautiful babies and have had no trouble placing that thin piece of cloth over my chest.
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- Susan
- - November 19th, 2009 at 21:58:41
I think that women should not be forced to go to the toilet to breatstfeed their babies. I'm still breastfeeding and my baby is almost 2 years old. It's healthy for the baby and healthy for mother. Women should do what is best for themselves and their babies - and that is breastfeeding wherever they are but should cover themselves with a light cotton blanket which won't bother the baby.
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- Breastfeeding Advocate
- - November 19th, 2009 at 16:33:14
To Cover it Up and Inappropriate: You eat in the middle of the mall. Why shouldn't my baby?
Anyway, the baby's mouth is covering what you might consider the dirty part. You have to look long and hard to catch a glimpse of anything. And why are you trying to catch a glimpse anyway? I don't try to catch you masticating your food. -
- FED UP
- - November 19th, 2009 at 01:37:22
I don't see what the big deal is. I have breast fed three children and at times had to feed my child in public areas as that was the only seating available. (and don't even suggest I feed my baby on the throne is some disgusting womans rest room) More often than not, my child won't let me put a nice cloth over their face as they nursed as it was too hot or they wanted to see what's going on (we do nurse children past one month of age). Typically in the same malls advertisers have ads placed everywhere with women wearing little and the public seems to enjoy that. WHY then are so many people SOOO offended by seeing a side a couple of inches of flesh. For those worrying about edicate.. the polite thing to do would be to look in another direction if you don't like the view. I'm a mom, and my baby's health and comfort are my priority, not the opinions of over sensitive strangers. (and quite frankly my boobs have never caused distress to anyone - LOL)
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- Nathan
- - November 18th, 2009 at 21:20:46
For some reason Canada and the US has this thing about censoring nudity. We don't sensor violence, death, disease but we all against any nudity whatsoever. This is quite disturbing as other countries around the world have come to the realization that nudity or partial nudity is really no big deal. We're not hurting anyone, we're not invading another person's territory, and were not threatening them. People should be allowed to feed their children wherever they want without the fear of a stare or a condescending look from someone who is sitting in another part of that area. If you're offended walk away, keep you mouth shut and your eyes in another direction. Get over yourself. Women shouldn't be afraid to feed their children in public because someone feels it's inappropriate. It certainly is not. If I have to sit at a food court and watch you stuff your face I can certainly sit with a woman across from me feeding her baby. In fact it makes me feel better knowing that someone has the guts to feed her child in public. One of these days we'll have a breakthrough where people realize that a small bit of nudity isn't going to hurt anyone. Life's too short for you to be a nitwit.
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- Annoyed
- - November 18th, 2009 at 19:58:42
I doubt a pedophile will get anything from watching a grown woman breastfeed- seems that he'd not be a pedophile. As for rapists and such- I think that is a poor excuse for a small minded view.
Breastfeeding is natural and a beautiful bonding experience between mother and child. I believe there is a large part of society that was taught to be ashamed of their bodies and refer to penis', vagina's and breasts as parts and it is these same people who are bothered by breastfeeding. These same people where taught to be ashamed of birth and overall have a not so pleasant view of motherhood. I feel sorry for you if you can't get beyond a woman and her 'parts' and see pregnancy, childbirth and breastfeeding as beautiful, life changing moments in a womans life. WE should be celebrating these moments not condemming. -
- Inappropriate
- - November 18th, 2009 at 18:00:09
While I am all for breastfeeding, I think there is a time and place. If baby gets hungry and has to be fed especially in the public (Mall). . . . I just think the use of a blanket to cover the naked part would deem appropriate. I have been in the downtown mall and have witnessed mothers breastfeeding their baby's with a full view of everything. Needless to say with all the perv's around I don't think this is appropriate for them to witness. I know I wouldn't want a pedophile or a rapist looking at me baring my parts. But my opinion only . . . .
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- kor
- - November 18th, 2009 at 17:21:34
to Cassidy you said it best i agree with you 110% i breastfed all 3 of all my girls i had actually had someone ask me to move to another location in a restaurant because i was offending them, so I said to them i was finding it offensive to watch this person eat as they had their mouth open and food was falling out, lol they moved.
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- cassidy
- - November 18th, 2009 at 16:40:41
Please, please, please quit telling me to cover my child with a blanket while feeding or go somewhere else. Unless you are willing to cover your head when you eat or remove yourself to a closed room, please don't ask me. If you are uncomfortable with breastfeeding keep it to yourself. I keep my opinion about the grossness of bottle feeding to myself. Just think about it: bottles look like a penis with a breast attached.
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- M
- - November 18th, 2009 at 15:56:12
It is a matter of choice on how you feed your baby... no way is the 'wrong' way, whether it is breast fed or bottle fed. No one is saying that breast feeding is wrong or that breast feeding in public is wrong. What is being said that one who breast feeds while in the public should have a bit of consideration for those around. There is nothing wrong with covering yourself up with a small blanket so that everything is not exposed. Women have done that for years... It never hurt anyone.
To me that's just having a bit of Class as well as respect for others. -
- no big deal
- - November 18th, 2009 at 14:24:16
Good for yu for telling them off like that! Breastfeeding is so natural I don't get why ppl think showing the breast a little makes others mad!
