boobies!!

Why is breastfeeding in public such a controversial issue?

reference this article: The 10 Commandments of Dining With Little Kids
(be sure to read the comments to see what I mean)

To me, they all make sense. Admittedly, I am not a mother. I have, however, been out to eat with my nieces and my friends' children. I have paid attention to how children act in restaurants. I've noticed how some parents watch their children closely and make sure they behave, while others seem to not even notice their child is there.

As for breastfeeding, I have personally sewn a nursing cover for my friend who had a baby. It took maybe 2 hours to complete, and I know you can buy them also. It's basically a blanket with a neck strap. You slip it over your neck to cover yourself and the baby. I've seen women use a regular blanket to cover while breastfeeding.

The problem is that some women don't cover anything. They lift up/pull down their shirt, pop out a boob, and let the baby go at it.

Now, I don't agree with how the breast has become so sexualized in our society, but it has. As far as I know, it's not acceptable to flash your boobs in public. So why would it suddenly become acceptable to pull it out and show it off while your baby feeds?

I am not against breastfeeding. Not at all. I was breastfed. My sister breastfed. My friends breastfeed. Breast milk is one of the healthiest things you can feed a baby, if not the healthiest. Yay for breast milk! But it's not an excuse to show off your boobies.

I saw one argument that some women show off more skin in their everyday dress. Well yeah, and some women dress like total skanks, but what does that have to do with feeding your baby? And the fact is, even some strip clubs don't allow the women to show the nipples, which somehow became the point of total breast nudity.

I have witnessed a woman completely exposing her breast to feed her baby. We were in a park in the middle of downtown. I was shocked.

Now to get back to the article, I honestly haven't seen many women who breastfeed at a restaurant. Or if they do, the majority seem to cover themselves with a blanket or nursing cover. Go them. There is also nothing wrong with pumping at home and bringing a bottle of breast milk with you. I know some moms argue that "my baby won't take a bottle." Well, advice straight from my sister's doctor when she had to do just that - if the baby is hungry enough, they will take a bottle.

My niece didn't want to take a bottle, but her mommy had to go to work. Sure enough, after a small battle of wills, she learned to drink from a bottle. She is also one of the smartest 3 year olds I've ever personally met. (I know I'm slightly biased, but really, she is super smart for her age!) Mind you, they completed the battle of wills at home, not in public.

Basically it all comes down to this. People will get offended if you flash your boobs at them, even if you are just doing it to feed your baby. The US is stupid like that. Don't like it? Well it's easy as pie to throw a blanket over your shoulder and cover it up. Also cuts out some of the distractions for the baby. And I won't even get into the perverts that are out there.

I think I've made this long enough. Yay boobs. Yay breastfeeding. But please have some sense enough to cover when in public.

People and their pets

I realize I haven't written in a while. We've moved and just got a new puppy so life is crazy busy. But the puppy (and search for the right one) has inspired this post. It's on the serious side.

So many people get a pet and seem to expect it to be easy. Raising a pet is not a laid back job. I have some new neighbors with 2 dogs. They spend all their time just running around the back yard. They never go inside, and they never go on walks. Let me remind you that I live in the southwest, where it's HOT. These dogs have no exercise except chasing each other around the yard and barking at every little noise. I feel sorry for these dogs. I'm considering offering to walk them.

Then there are all these beautiful animals in the shelters. They post their stories on the kennels. We saw 2 older dogs, 9 years old. Their owners moved and decided the dogs couldn't move with them. They spent 9 long years loving their people only to get dumped at the shelter.

I've seen a craigslist posting where the girl claimed she had to get rid of her dog and cats because she's pregnant. You know, that myth about cats suffocating babies is just that, a myth. I have seen cats sit and watch over babies as though they were their own. My parents had a dog with their first child, and had one dog or another with the other 2 as well. You can have pets and children at the same time. Many, many people have done it.

It hurts me to see these animals being given up for such stupid reasons. "We're moving" is not an excuse. I've moved with my cat multiple times. "We're having a baby" is not an excuse. "I don't have enough time for it" is not an excuse. Animals are living beings, not cute little toys. If you aren't willing to commit to them for as long as they live, then don't even bother.

There are some good people on the craigslist postings. They bring in a pet from the streets and try to find a home for it. They understand they can't care for the animal themselves, but don't just leave it out in the streets.

So please, unless you are willing to commit to the responsibility of owning a pet (exercise, food, vet visits, grooming, love, etc.), don't get one. If you know me personally and make this mistake, be prepared to see the angry side of me. This is one issue I take to heart.