Breastfeeding in Public

When my son was born I was faced with the most basic of decisions... bottle feed with formula or breastfeed. I was given classes, articles, websites and advice to make my decision, and in the end I decided to breastfeed him. I don't recall ever having a mindset that breastfeeding was gross or disgusting or wrong before being pregnant, but facing society made me wonder if other people are raised to believe nursing a child, one of the most amazing functions of a woman's body, is sexual or wrong.

Now of course these people will have definitely not breastfed their children. It goes without saying that women who have nursed their children know the beauty of it, despite it having some pitfalls. When I was in my classes I was warned some people would have a problem, but I don't think I ever really realized what they meant until I started breastfeeding in public.

Somewhere along the line someone decided that breasts belong on billboards and not to be used as nourishment. I have added two photos, one of a woman's breasts and one of a child nursing from a breast. Both images are beautiful in their own way, and can also be considered inappropriate for different reasons, but be honest with yourself, which photo makes you more uncomfortable?

Whoa! Breast! Eating baby! I know, it's such a shocking image, isn't it? But what are we teaching ourselves? Why is it so hard to see a child being loved and nourished by it's mother but we just overlook (or gawk) blatant sexuality? And some people may not feel this way, but the majority do. Being sexual is often respected and admired while a nursing mother is shunned. Why?

Maybe it is because of society's draw towards the sexual. Breasts have become a sexual object in every way, so I can see how someone who sees a breastfeeding baby might be a little put off by a child at the breast. But when is this going to change? I know that I for one believe whole heartedly that it needs to change.