I don't understand this bfing photos/facebook furore at all.

[Kveta]

I really don't get it. they are a private company, with a slightly odd policy on photographs of nipples, but it is surely their policy, that they can enforce however they see fit?

So far as I can tell, nobody is forced to use FB, and nobody is forced to publish photographs of their baby being fed (be it by bottle, boob, cup, or syringe).

From some of the reactions on certain FB group pages, you'd think they were putting babies in blenders and drinking the resultant puree.

can anyone explain to me why such a big noise has been made about it?

'Seasy to explain this, Kveta.

The attitude that breastfeeding (with showing or no-showing of nipples) is some sort of sexual or offensive or exhibitionist display is held by some people in this world, and there is no doubt that it contributes to women feeling uncomfortable about breastfeeding away from their own four walls, or even breastfeeding at all.

Facebook are a massive company and have social and moral obligations which they recognise (so behaviour, including choice of pics, is subject to guidance and enforcement). Corporate activity is never a free-for-all in a democracy.

But they have decided to go along with social attitudes that work against breastfeeding - instead of being open and relaxed about something that undoubtedly improves the lives of human beings.

People don't like it. They want Facebook to be part of an open and welcoming ethos to breastfeeding.

Does that help to explain it? :)

Thanks tiktok I understand what you've written, and agree with it. I am just a bit at the bfing sit-ins and protests - surely if you don't like it, you can vote with your feet and go elsewhere?

I do think the FB policy is barmy, but am still not sure why anyone feels the need to post pictures of themselves bfing on FB. That's all. I feel much the same way about people needing to post photos of themselves wearing very little, with wounds, exposing more of their body than is strictly speaking necessary. All seems a little bit pointless to me!

(I say this as someone who bfed her child in public until he was about 18 months+ old, is still bfing her now 2.5 yo DS, and is pg with DC2, who she plans to bfeed - I am in no way averse to breastfeeding!)

Your choice not to post pics of anything at all, Kveta - and you'd extend that choice to other people who want to share happy moments on FB, yes?

Each to their own.

The objection is that FB bans these pics, and contribute to a social context that mitigates against happy bf.

Some people feel strongly about that.

And 'going elsewhere' does not challenge this stupid policy.

Wish I could have explained it as beautifully as tiktok but it has made me very cross and I haven't posted any photos on FB. I have felt a bit isolated bfing after 6 months and attitudes like this haven't helped. My dh has an issue with bfing after 12 months and again, stuff like this isn't going to help me change his attitude (and he isn't a monster).