Petosky 1

Maddelyn Petosky
English 12
Messer 3
March 8, 2016
Breastfeeding!?
A newborn baby has only three demands. They are warmth in the arms of its mother,
food from her breasts, and security in the knowledge of her presence. Breastfeeding satisfies all
three - Grantly Dick. Babies require to have skin to skin contact everyday of their lives to
develop a healthy lifestyle. It has been proven in studies that breastfeeding has lowered the risk
of asthma and allergies. Babies who are breastfed also have a lower rate of getting viruses and
flus through the mothers breast milk gives the baby antibodies. Infants that had skin to skin
contact have shown a higher IQ as opposed to formula fed babies. Babies that are breastfed have
a closer bond with skin to skin contact which promotes brain growth. And with that growth of the
brain creates a higher IQ. (Benaroch)
The benefits of breastfeeding for the mother are decrease of risk of medical conditions.
Mothers that have nursed have shown that breastfeeding burns calories and reduces weight.
Along with losing the pregnancy weight, it also helps keep off the weight. Nursing has been
proven to lower the risk of breast cancer and ovarian cancer. Breastfeeding delays a hormone
called estrogen from being released into the womans body and therefore reducing the risk of
breast cancer. Mothers who have breastfed for more than six months have lower chances of
getting breast cancer. (Cordeiro)
Breastfeeding mothers have been made uncomfortable by breastfeeding in public due to
our society today, despite multiple research of the positive effects it has, regardless of opinions it

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is factually true that breastfeeding is the best possible care but why does society continue to view
it as nudity or sexual? Skin to skin contact is the best for a baby so breastfeeding should be
available wherever, whether it be in public or private. Breastfeeding in public has been frowned
upon because some people are uncomfortable with nudity. (Perez) Some forms of nudity are
against the law and some people do view breastfeeding as a form of
nudity. Breast are viewed as sexual objects and entertainment. You
can see this through advertisements through media. A good example
of this could be a commercial of Victorias Secret. Women are
insecure due to the idea that breasts are sexual objects and
entertainment. In other countries breastfeeding is highly accepted. In
other cultures breasts are not seen as as sexual objects but seen as a
way of taking care of a baby.
Here in America showing cleavage is fashion and is more
acceptable than a mother breastfeeding her baby in public. Like I stated above in the previous
paragraph you can see this type of fashion in advertisements. You can see fashion that shows
cleavage in top magazines.
And female breast, banned,
unless theyre out just for show
Cause in the country of
billboards, covered in tits
And family newsagent
magazines full of it

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Embarrassed by Hollie McNish

As a society we continue to make public breastfeeding an issue despite all research
proving the health benefits for mother and child. So in that case how can we as a society regulate
or protect a mother if she feels the need to breastfeed while being in public?
Breastfeeding a baby has always been a universal thing. Breastfeeding in America has
been apart of our culture for centuries. Before formula was put on the market in the early 1950s,
there was not an alternative for breastfeeding. Therefore, mothers breastfed everywhere and it
was acceptable. When a woman or man saw a woman breastfeeding they would accept it, like it
was a normal part of daily living. They would just continue on with what they were talking
about, there were even some people who would asked about the baby. If the mother ever became
uncomfortable she would just go to a room in the back. (McCall)
Breastfeeding has always been there since the dawn of time, like I stated previously in the
paper. Breastfeeding was always a thing until formula was created. Formula wasnt there until
chemist Justus von Liebig created the powdered formula in 1865. The first baby formula
included a cows milk, wheat, malt flour, and potassium carbonate. As time went on scientist and
chemist came up with different forms of formula. (Stevens)
There are many reasons as to why breastfeeding was so popular back then. For starters
breastfeeding benefits both the mother and the baby. For the mother it reduced the risk of breast
cancer and ovarian cancer. For the baby it reduced the chances of developing asthma, allergies,
childhood illnesses, SIDS. The baby receives antibodies from the mothers which stops all those
problems. (Benaroch)
Breastfeeding has progressed dramatically through time, especially in the past decades. In
earlier times mothers breastfed their babies in public. Today breastfeeding in public has been

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viewed negatively. Less and less mothers breastfeed due to all the negative responses from the
public along with the accessibility of formula. For both society and women, formula was seen as
an easier way of feeding a baby. (Wallace)
Breastfeeding in public today is viewed as an inappropriate thing to do. Women are
shamed for breastfeeding because in sense there is of nudity. Women have been and are still seen
as a sexual object for men.
There a many people involved in this issue. Mothers who breastfeed an infant are
involved in this issue. Babies 0 to 24 months who are breastfed are involved in this issue because
they are the ones that are breastfed. Society is the main involvement in this issue. Society either
ignore when a woman breastfeeds or becomes uncomfortable.
The problem today is that women who want to breastfeed in public cant because society
has become uncomfortable with it. More often women are told to cover up while feeding their
baby. Because society is so uncomfortable with woman breastfeeding her baby and women are
being shamed for it, more and more mothers go from breastfeeding their babies to bottle feeding
them. (Hinds)
There are many pros to breastfeeding in public and breastfeeding in general. For starters,
less money is spent on bottle and formula. Medical bills are reduced greatly because if you dont
breastfeed than you have more of a chance of getting sick which means more visits to the doctor,
which leads to more bills. Breastfeeding reduces pollution, when a plastic bottle is recycled or
thrown away, the people that take care of them melt them down, which puts toxins into our
atmosphere. (Strelchuk
Just like every problems has its pros, every problems has its cons as well. One major con
for a mother not being able to breastfeed in public is it will be a hassle for her. Money will be

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spent on bottles and formula when she could have been saving that money. Not only that but the
mother would have to carry around a big and heavy bag. (Strelchuk)
For this research paper we had to do interview. My interviewees include two mothers
who breastfed:
1. Do you agree or disagree with breastfeeding in public? Why or
why not?
Interviewee 1:
I agree because it healthy for both the baby and the mother. Also because the baby needs to be
fed.
Interviewee 2:
I agree with it because mothers need to their baby needs it.
2. Why do you think breastfeeding has become a public problem?
Interviewee 1:
Because there is a lack of education.
Interviewee 2:
I think because more people are doing and people have issues with nudity. I am not quite sure.
3. In your personal opinion why do you think it benefits a mother to/not to breastfeed in
public?
Interviewee 1:
It is more convenient than doing it at home. Skin to skin contact is good for the baby
everywhere.
Interviewee 2:
I think it is less of a hassle. And the baby can become hungry wherever it goes. Can feed the
baby right there.
4. How can you breastfeed in public if the right becomes available?
Interviewee 1:
I would personally just pull out a blanket and cover up.
Interviewee 2:
I always used a blanket or some kind of cover up.
5. What would makes you comfortable with breastfeeding in public?
Interviewee 1:
Having the blanket covering me and all women have boobies so what is wrong with that?

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Interviewee 2:
The only thing that needs to be comfortable is my butt.
6. What makes you uncomfortable with breastfeeding in public?
Interviewee 1:
In all honesty I dont feel uncomfortable with breastfeeding in public. I have gotten rid of my
body insecurities.
Interviewee 2:
Standing up or when there were a lot of people being noisy. Sometimes staring got me.
7. How do you feel when strangers stare at you?
Interviewee 1:
I just laugh. I dont feel uncomfortable at all. They only time I am uncomfortable is when I am
not a comfortable position.
Interviewee 2:
It depends on the way they are staring. If they were staring down on me I would talk to them.
8. If all public facility made a breastfeeding room, how would you picture it?
Interviewee 1:
I would picture it a quiet room with comfortable chairs and sinks so that we can wash our hands
after.
Interviewee 2:
The same thing as interviewee 1.
9. What would you say to women who are having thoughts of changing to breastfeeding?
Interviewee 1:
It is healthier for not only the child but the mother as well. Breastfeeding reduces the chance of
cancer and helps with weight loss.
Interviewee 2:
Good for you. It is more beneficial for you and the child. The child gets a better immune system
and less things to carry around.
10. What kind of breastfeeding education should their be for the public to get
information?
Interviewee 1:
That breastfeeding in public is part of having a baby. It benefits the mom. It creates skin to skin
contact that creates a bond.

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First interviewee had breastfed one child and absolutely loved doing it. The second
interviewee had breastfed her only daughter for a couple of months then stopped. She stopped
because she didnt like breastfeeding.
There really is only one solution to this problem. Many people have presented making
milk stations for women who breastfed everywhere. The stations would have comfortable chairs
in it for the mother to sit in. There would also be a cleaning station for both the baby and the
mother. They would build these at some workplaces and maybe some parks. (Cayetano)
Breastfeeding is natural and is best for both the baby and the mother. Statistics have
proven so in many ways. Breastfeeding reduces the childs risk of medical conditions in many
ways. Breastfeeding reduces the chances of getting cancer. Skin to skin contact is essential for
bonding regardless of private or public setting. Skin to skin contact with breastfeeding
significantly reduces the risk of SIDS. Skin to skin contact during breastfeeding has been in our
history and culture for centuries in public and private setting. That is why it is believed
breastfeeding should be available wherever and whenever it is needed.

Works Cited
Benaroch, Roy. "Breastfeeding Benefits for Mom and Baby." WebMD. WebMD, 13 Dec.
2015. Web. 07 Mar. 2016.

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"Breastfeeding Quotes & Sayings (Breast Feeding Advocacy, Nursing Babies, Etc)."
Breastfeeding Quotes & Sayings (Breast Feeding Advocacy, Nursing Babies, Etc). N.p.,
07 Dec. 2015. Web. 07 Mar. 2016.
Cayetano, Pia S. "Sponsorship Speech." Breastfeeding Is Best for Babies. N.p., 21 June
2007. Web. 07 Mar. 2016.
Cordeiro, Brittany. "Oh Baby! Breastfeeding Lowers Your Breast Cancer Risk!" MD
Anderson Cancer Center, Oct. 2014. Web. 25 Feb. 2016.
Hinds, Amber. "Why I'm Glad Someone Told Me To Stop Breastfeeding In Public." The
Huffington Post. TheHuffingtonPost.com, 17 Apr. 2013. Web. 07 Mar. 2016.
McCall, Sara. "Nursing in Public: What US Mothers Faced from Colonial Times Until
Today." Nursing in Public: What US Mothers Faced from Colonial Times Until Today.
Breastfeeding USA, n.d. Web. 07 Mar. 2016.
McNish, Hollie. "Hollie McNish Embarrassed." Genius. N.p., 4 July 2013. Web. 07
Mar. 2016.
Norton, Amy. "Here's What Actually Causes SIDS, Scientists Say." US News. U.S.News
& World Report, 2 Dec. 2015. Web. 07 Mar. 2016.
Perez, Cynthia L. "Neniandme." Neniandme. Maternity and More, 8 Dec. 2014. Web. 07
Mar. 2016.
Stevens, Emily E., Thelma E. Patrick, and Rita Pickler. "A History of Infant Feeding."
The Journal of Perinatal Education. Lamaze International Inc., n.d. Web. 07 Mar. 2016.

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Strelchuck, Rachel. "Research Paper." : Breastfeeding in Public. Google, 1 June 2013.

Web. 07 Mar. 2016.
Wallace, Kelley. "Why Are We Still Squeamish about Breastfeeding?" CNN. Cable News
Network, 29 Aug. 2014. Web. 07 Mar. 2016.

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Horsey, David. "Breastfeeding In Public." Breastfeeding Moms Deserve Privacy, Even in

a Crowd. N.p., n.d. Web. 15 Mar. 2016.

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Lange, Dorothea. Sudanese Mother and Child. 1987. Khartoum, Sadan. Prepared for
Life: Breastfeeding in Local and Global Crises. Web. 15 Mar. 2016.