WTF?

[muninnhuginn]

So I wanders off this afternoon to deal with things parental and come back to find my screen full of beautiful pictures of contented babies doing what comes naturally. Wow.

And the reason? Double wow.

And nope, I cannot see how there is anything obscene about images of breastfeeding... at all. Nipples 'n' all. But I can't find one of me and Looby Loo "at it" so the new icon's courtesy of cangetmad to whom many thanks. It's a gorgeous image.

I wasn't breastfed. I suspect I may have had better health if I had been and I think it was a matter of my mother's health post delivery that meant she didn't. My younger brother was. I did breastfeed. For just over twelve months. It was bliss. I'm certain it helped support Looby Loo's health and growth. It changed my attitude to my body and my internal view of myself--entirely for the better. It's not something to be hidden from view--except if an individual woman is happier to be private whilst feeding her child: her baby, her breast, her choice--well not unless we ban all images of anyone at all eating in public.

Comments

[deannahoak.livejournal.com]

Thanks for this. I linked it on mine. Grrrrrr.

[ex-lark-asc.livejournal.com]

I've gotta say I don't find public or semi-public breastfeeding very pleasant. I'm not exactly offended by userpics featuring it, being hard to squick in general, but I don't enjoy the public spectacle itself; boobs are kind of personal, and I don't particularly want to see the tits of my friends even if there is a baby around to make it "OK" to have them out.

It's an interesting attitude when I examine it actually: "unpleasantly personal things being exhibited in public" summarises it nicely, but it's much more about the sheer intimacy of the act, the fact that it's exposing the intimacy of the relationship between mother and baby, than the actual exposed boob itself. There's something in it which is similar to watching a couple having a really dirty-laundry-heavy argument, or engaging in heavy petting; it should be something private and "special" (for want of a more accurate word), not touted around in public as if it's unimportant and/or as if I'm supposed to be part of that world. I think what I mean is that to me breastfeeding belongs very firmly inside the boundaries of the relationship, and it feels weird to be non-consensually made part of that.