National Breastfeeding Week

Sorry, no pics of Isaac this blog, although I do wish I had a breastfeeding pic to put up in honor of National Breastfeeding Week which is just winding down. I am so upset with my home state right now, which makes me sad, because you all know I am a true Kentuckian at heart. I just read an article this morning about a woman in Berea, Ky (10 miles from where Steve and I lived in Richmond during college) who was kicked out of a McDonalds for breastfeeding her 4 month old son. This is only about 30 miles from the Lexington Applebees that asked a woman to stop breastfeeding her son a couple of years ago. There is a Kentucky law that protects breastfeeding women against this kind of harassment. How can someone ask a mother to stop feeding her child, or to go to a disgusting public restroom (would you eat your lunch in one?), or her hot car to feed her child???? This baffles me. I can understand people being uncomfortable if a woman is purposefully not being discreet, however most nursing women are quite modest, and very careful to not expose themselves. People get so hung up on breasts being sexual objects rather than a source of nourishment for a child. Kentucky ranks 50th out of the 50 states in breastfeeding initiation. How sad is that? This state is not providing mothers with the education and resources they need to provide their child with the best nourishment there is. Instead, welfare is handing out free formula. Hello, breastfeeding is free too, and scientifically proven over and over again to be healthier! When I think about it, I don't remember ever seeing a woman nursing in public during the majority of my life spent in Kentucky. I don't even think I can think of a single family member or friend who has breastfed. Yet, it always seemed so natural to me, and never occurred to me to do anything else. I am certainly not saying that there is anything wrong at all with feeding your child formula, Isaac had formula his first few days of life, I'm just disappointed that women feel they don't have an option because they are not properly educated and are made to feel scandalous by choosing to breastfeed, like it's something they have to hide. Formula certainly has it's place for women who are not physically able to breastfeed (inadequate supply, incompatible medications, etc) or who work long hours without adequate opportunities to express milk for their child. I hope that I have set a positive example to some woman out there who is contemplating breastfeeding her child by not being ashamed of providing my child with what I feel is best for him, no matter where I am. I wonder if I'll get kicked out of some Kentucky restaurant when I'm home for a visit and my almost 2 year old wants to nurse, haha. I dare someone to try. They will receive quite an education from me.


http://www.kentucky.com/181/story/482335.html