What is it with Americans and their obsession with nipples?

[VictorM]

Emily Gillette boarded the Freedom Air flight in South Burlington, VT's International Airport with her husband and 22-month-old child.  There was a three-hour delay but eventually the plane readied for takeoff.  Ms. Gillette began breastfeeding her daughter.  A flight attendant approached and directed her to cover up with a blanket.  Emily thought she was being discreet enough and declined the use of the blanket.  The flight attendent allegedly declared that she was offended and the family was then asked to leave the plane.

So... a group of moms organized a nurse-in to protest:



Ms Gillette states that she has filed complaints against Delta and Freedom Air with the Vermont Human Rights Commission as public breastfeeding is covered under Vermont's Public Accomodation Law, which states: "Notwithstanding any other provision of law, a mother may breastfeed her child in any place of public accommodation in which the mother and child would otherwise have a legal right to be."

What is it with these people that freak out at the sight of a nipple? For crying out loud. Can't we invite them all to go hunting with Dick Cheney?

[Ellen]

I agree and know that more often than not there is nothing to see anyway. Most mothers are discreet and I know whenever I breast fed in public I would try to face a wall or find the most private place available, but would never forsake the need of my child just because a few people may see a bit of boobie. Often it is too hot for the child and mother to also throw a blanket on. I agree.......... I think people need to take a chill pill and feel a warm glow about the gift the mother is giving her child.

[Giltine]

I think people need to get over it. It's not like the woman are running around topless, or doing it right under someone's nose.

[Ellen]

Stop it Giltine........ putting such thoughts into Sir M and V's minds can only lead to more naughty talk!! lol

[VictorM]

Me? It's why we should worry about.

By the way, where's why?

[Giltine]

Maybe he's off chasing nipples..


V..what's YOUR fascination with nipples?

[PaleRider]

22 months?  What sort of neglectful and abusive mother is still breast (or bottle) feeding her child at 22 months.  By that time the child has both upper and lower central and lateral incisors, most have both upper and lower canines (cuspids) and most have their upper and lower first molars.  Does she not realise the potential damage she is causing to her child's teeth?  The potential for decay is bad enough, but by that age, sucking (on anything) can cause potential orthodontic damage that the child may have to live with for the rest of his or her life. 

Not to mention that if one waits that long, the weaning process is very diffidult for the child and often leads to oral habits.  Thumb sucking, finger sucking, and tongue thrust habits that can cause even more dental (and social) problems for the child.

Breast feeding in public is fine so long as mom is discrete, but this woman should be turned into the authorities for abuse.

[Giltine]

PR...you know there are woman in the world who breastfeed their children up until primary school age...right?

[PaleRider]

PR...you know there are woman in the world who breastfeed their children up until primary school age...right?

And there was a guy who convinced 914 people to drink poison in a town called Jonesboro.  What is your point?

[Giltine]

My point is, those children weren't abused. If a parent chooses to breast feed their child for ten years, and the child doesn't complain, then what's the problem?
And some children develop late, so breastfeeding can be quite common in 22 month old children.

How exactly is she abusing her child? I sucked my thumb when i was little, and it had nothing to do with the length of time I was breastfed for..it was just a comfort thing that my parents couldn't get me out of.

My aunt still does it now and she's 32.

[PaleRider]

My point is, those children weren't abused. If a parent chooses to breast feed their child for ten years, and the child doesn't complain, then what's the problem?
And some children develop late, so breastfeeding can be quite common in 22 month old children.

And the dental consequences of bottle and breastfeeding 22 month olds are unfortunately quite common as well.  If a parent does a thing, even if they have no malice in mind that causes harm to a child, it is abuse.

How exactly is she abusing her child? I sucked my thumb when i was little, and it had nothing to do with the length of time I was breastfed for..it was just a comfort thing that my parents couldn't get me out of.

One might wonder why you needed to seek comfort from your thumb.  One might suspect that you were bottle or breast fed past the time that you should have been on solid food.

My aunt still does it now and she's 32.

Of course you won't, and she won't, but the root cause can be traced back to her parents.  Sad that at 32 she still seeks comfort in her thumb.

[why]

lol.................

[VictorM]

V..what's YOUR fascination with nipples?

What's there not to like? They are probably the single most perfect thing about humans.

[Ellen]

I must admit I am with PaleRider on this one......... I really think once a child is walking then breast feeding in public really is unnecessary, I know however there have been many cases with infants being breast fed in public that complaints have been made which was where I was coming from with my comments. I believe that children who are walking, talking and drinking other fluids from sippers etc really should not need to be breast fed in public because the child of that age and size often prevents the mother from being able to maintain descretion and I feel that it moves from being a physical need to a comfort control independance issue. Breaking free from the apron strings I believe also applies with mothers continuing to breast feed beyond two years which can then become a real emotion tuck off war and struggle when the parent eventually does decide she wants to stop. I feel the child needs to respect his/her mothers body and privacy as well as develop independance.

I am not saying that I would have a problem with a mother breast feeding her 22 month old in public but I do think it unecessary at that age.

[Stacy]

I'm all for being able to whip out a boobie for the baby without the world crying indecent exposure...

But 22 months! Come on now, time to put the boobie away. At that point it's strictly for the mom's comfort, not the kid.

[PaleRider]

Nice to know that the ladies agree with me on at least something.

[VictorM]

The topic here is the action by the airline preventing a woman from breastfeeding, not if the child being 22 months is ok. Besides, your objection to the breastfeeding at 22 months should have nothing to do with the topic -- plenty of organizations recommend it or don't rule it out:

The American Academy of Pediatrics says: "It is recommended that breastfeeding continue for at least 12 months, and thereafter for as long as mutually desired."

ProMom says: Studies by anthropologists and comparative biologists have revealed that the probable natural weaning age (that is, the age at which no more nursing occurs) of the human species is over 2 1/2 years. There is no harm in permitting a child who wants to continue nursing for two years or more to do so. In fact, it is quite common everywhere in the world that bottle-feeding is not the cultural norm.

Unicef says: Optimal breastfeeding practices include exclusive breastfeeding (breastmilk with no other foods or liquids) for the first six months of life, followed by breastmilk and complementary foods (solid or semi-solid foods) from about six months of age on, and continued breastfeeding for up to at least two years of age while receiving complementary  foods.

The US Department of Health and Human Services has the following recommendation: The longer a mom and baby breastfeeds, the greater the benefits are for both mom and baby. Ideally, babies should receive breast milk through the first year of life, or for as long as both you and your baby wish.

So... even if there's disagreement, it's not the issue.

Back to the airline action... what's with people and a nipple?

I'll tell you what: uptight assholes! That's what!

[PaleRider]

When the kid has a head full of rotted teeth and the health problems that go along with it, orthodontic problems that will last into adulthood as a result of sucking after the teeth have erupted, and emotional problems that require seeking comfort from the thumb, the fact remains that mom continued breastfeeding past the time to stop for her own benifit. 

[VictorM]

Can you show me were the ADA says that? I looked at their website and I couldn't find a recommendation how long children could be breastfeed. I could see they recommend it for infants, but I couldn't find a reference to an age limit. But even if they do, it's only a very mixed opinion.

But then again, this is not a thread about the length of time children should be breastfed, this is a thread about a woman not being allowed to do it in public.

[Giltine]

Nice to know that the ladies agree with me on at least something.

What am I? Dog shit?


Anyway... I don't believe that airlines, and other public places where familes are held up for long periods of time should be alloud to ban, or discriminate against breastfeeding mothers. It is a completly natural act, and there is no need to be prude about it. I've always seen women be very discrete about their breastfeeding times. Either turning their back to large crowds, covering in a blanket, or sitting in a corner out of direct view of others.