What century are we in again???

memphispanda, RN · Feb 26, 2003

As big a breastfeeding advocate as I am, I don't think that the middle of the legislative assembly is the place for it.

OzNurse69 · Feb 26, 2003

For any particular reasons, Panda?? (Just curious.....)

memphispanda, RN · Feb 26, 2003

I just equate it with taking your baby to work and instead of working, taking care of your baby. It's simply not the way "work" is supposed to be. There are precious few people who have the option of taking their children to work with them, and I highly doubt that many of them are in public positions where they would be doing their child care in front of a room full of people.

Aside from that, most legislatures tend to be highly populated with men who may be uncomfortable, or distracted by a woman breastfeeding. Is that the politically correct answer? No, but it's the truth.

Stargazer · Feb 26, 2003

I agree with Memphis. You need to excuse yourself to go pump milk? Fine. You need to excuse yourself to go feed your kid? Fine. But I wouldn't pop out a breast and start feeding in the middle of a normal business meeting, and I wouldn't expect anyone to be comfortable with it nor think it appropriate in a legislative assembly either.

maureeno · Feb 26, 2003

several years back we had a big to-do here in Washington state regards public breastfeeding. Female breasts are so sexualized many are embarrassed at the thought of our being mammals.

I've seen more breast tissue through 'female fashion' than through nursing.

And when nursing my own children I never needed to 'pop' a nipple out...it is easy to remain covered and modest when nursing infants.

roxannekkb · Feb 26, 2003

I agree, there has to be a line drawn somewhere. Most women would be at home on maternity leave with an 11 day old baby, for starters. And would it be appropriate, for a nurse to bring her baby to work and breastfeed? Or a lawyer to be breastfeeding during a trial, while she's trying to keep her client from getting the electric chair? Plus, babies also scream, fuss, poop and pee. Should an MP be changing a diaper in the middle of a legislative session? Should a nurse keep her baby at the nurses station and then leave her patient if the baby cries?

Breastfeeding is great, but if a mom is working outside the home, then she has to realize that it is not appropriate to cart the baby everywhere she goes, and to the majority of work places. Small babies need a lot of care, and it will distract from the work that she is being paid to do.

These words are spoken from a former NICU nurse...one who enjoys babies but realizes that there is a time and place for everything.

eltrip · Feb 26, 2003

I think that the very idea of an unrestrained/uncovered breast is enough to distract most politicians from being able to focus on their speech/look good for the camera.

Dedicated politician, to be back at work 11 days after childbirth. Is she crazy or what?

Stargazer · Feb 26, 2003

Agreed, Roxanne. Maureeno, I'm not a huge fan of public breastfeeding, but I recognize that at times there may be no good alternatives, and as long as it's done discreetly, everyone should be able to live with it.

Sorry I wasn't clear: in most business settings, doing direct infant/child care is disruptive and inappropriate. I would've felt the same way about the woman in the article linked above if she had been bottle-feeding the baby.

The general impression left is that this is someone who is doing either child care, or her job, or both, by the seat of her pants, which doesn't say much for her time management, organizational, or prioritizing skills in a professional sense.

maureeno · Feb 26, 2003

this politician is representing her constituents......wonder what was on the agenda for the day....maybe a nursing mother would add a touch of humanity to discussions...

Stargazer · Feb 26, 2003

Originally posted by eltrip
I think that the very idea of an unrestrained/uncovered breast is enough to distract most politicians from being able to focus on their speech/look good for the camera.

BWAH! Good point, eltrip. :chuckle

eltrip · Feb 26, 2003

Gee, Thanks!