I think sometimes when people feel like they are trying to fight for a cause they go to extremes for their side. I think by doing extremes you turn off the "other side" though, and I don't think it really helps the greater issue. Which in this case is acceptance of breastfeeding in public. Or at least I assume that's what they are going for by publicly posting the photo.
@therealmc - that's completely it. I'm not suggesting it should be taken down or that she has no right to make such a picture but it's posted on the internet for us to see and I saw it and have an opinion on it. I don't think we have to agree on whether we appreciate it or not but it's interesting to hear people's views on it.
I'll admit that I probably judged her from the outset and my initial feelings about it were akin to someone saying "I can do this with one hand tied behind my back!" which made me feel a little crappy because I can't do that with one hand tied behind my back, but I can also appreciate that there is some skill that goes into being about to do it.
Post by creamsiclechica on Jan 29, 2015 21:35:32 GMT -5
No, I absolutely no what you mean, @tambcat, and I'm not trying to make light of that. I understand the assumption too about it being a mom challenge, because so many things are now. I think that's what I was getting at, mostly, is that it should be about being proud of YOU without projecting that pride as scrutiny to someone else. We should celebrate all moms, all types, all choices, and not have to feel self conscious about our choices/paths as parents.
I think it's hard for bottle feeding moms to not take some of this stuff as a dig. I mean it's pretty much constantly thrown in our faces at every turn. You can't just unclick it. It's not like people get all rah rah and supportive over bottle feeding, let's be honest. It's also seemingly not ok to even discuss the feelings surrounding it all.
So yea good for her , but there IS a level of obnoxiousness involved that is just off putting. It isn't just about projection of scrutiny. She can be proud and maybe she should be proud of standing on her head and breastfeeding... But I think it is ridiculous. Just like if I posted a photo of me bottle feeding E while on my head would be viewed as absurd ( because it is).
Post by honeybee503 on Jan 29, 2015 21:48:12 GMT -5
Yeah, if you Google image search "breastfeeding" you don't get a picture of a boob with a 'No' symbol over it, but when you Google image search "formula feeding" you see tons of negative stuff. As a formula feeding mom, it's hard not to feel like a lot of things are a shot towards you or your parenting choices when you are so used to seeing that negative stuff a lot of the time. It sucks. I wish there was just a happy medium, but no matter what it is, BF or FF, cloth diapering or disposable diapers, there is always going to be people who make others feel hurt, whether intentionally or unintentionally.
I think the best parenting advice that I never received would be, "Yes, read parenting articles, but never, NEVER read the comments section". Lol.
Post by creamsiclechica on Jan 29, 2015 21:48:40 GMT -5
I'm not just saying it, I love bottle feeding pictures. And kids eating baby food pics. And kids eating sushi and lemons and spaghetti.
I am NOT saying I never judge. And I most certainly feel judged constantly. I can almost feel eyes rolling when I post homemade play doh pics or the latest fucking frittata I made. But that's okay. We all should be a little more proud of ourselves because I've never done something so HARD.
Like I said, the picture seems silly to me, but it isn't anything I'm offended by. This video sums up a ton of threads like this to me. It's super cheesy, but makes light of how much moms get after each other/ have to one up each other unnecessarily. We really all are just trying to take good care of our kids.
I'm not just saying it, I love bottle feeding pictures. And kids eating baby food pics. And kids eating sushi and lemons and spaghetti.
I am NOT saying I never judge. And I most certainly feel judged constantly. I can almost feel eyes rolling when I post homemade play doh pics or the latest fucking frittata I made. But that's okay. We all should be a little more proud of ourselves because I've never done something so HARD.
I don't judge you for these things or roll my eyes. I might though if you made a frittata with your feet while standing on your head.
I'm not just saying it, I love bottle feeding pictures. And kids eating baby food pics. And kids eating sushi and lemons and spaghetti.
I am NOT saying I never judge. And I most certainly feel judged constantly. I can almost feel eyes rolling when I post homemade play doh pics or the latest fucking frittata I made. But that's okay. We all should be a little more proud of ourselves because I've never done something so HARD.
I seriously doubt that people roll their eyes at those things . And if they do I will roll my eyes at them.
I don't think she was just doing that pose and they took a picture of a spontaneous moment. I would think it rather impossible to get one strap of what appears to be something like a sports bra and her arm out if the armhole of her tank top.
This is what I was thinking. She had to have taken that off before she got into position, so boob flopping while doing yoga? No thanks.
And I'll admit this is largely due to my own hangups. But my hangups are not there without reason. Let me remind you that I can't buy a canister of formula without being told that I'm giving my child second best. I went into the hospital to deliver E expecting to be given shit for not breastfeeding because of an article in our local paper about the hospital's participation in the "baby-friendly initiative." (I wasn't, thankfully). I don't feel guilty anymore, but I'm tired of having it thrust in my face all the time. I know it is all backlash from the heavy-handed formula promotion of days past, but ffs. I'M SORRY.