Feminism and breastfeeding

[SnuggyBuggy]

Just curious as to people's opinions here as I haven't seen these two things discussed a lot. Is promoting breastfeeding compatible with being a feminist?

Why should a father take paternity leave if the mother has to as well? I doubt society would support having both parents off for the best part of a year. And it doubtful many families would take that income hit.

Paternity leave makes sense for a man if he can fulfill all his babies needs himself. He can only do that by formula feeding.

"In my opinion breastfeeding is anti feminist, unfortunately. It reinforces the position as the primary caregiver. And it is difficult to combine with working."

Nonsense. There is nothing "anti-feminist" about being the primary caregiver. Feminism is about valuing women, valuing their experiences and capacities, and giving them equal opportunities and choices. I think that as feminists it's important for us to recognise and value the biological reality of pregnancy, childbirth and breastfeeding.

What this all boils down to is that I think a SAHM is just as "valuable" as a mother who does paid work, feminism and society should value both.

I do agree that having a sense of respect for pregnancy and childbirth should be a core part of feminism. The trend to get back to normal as quickly as possible after a baby may look empowering on the surface but it's actually really toxic and detrimental.

I do kind of get that the fact that only women can breastfeed would feel restrictive to a lot of women though.

(Basically, I agree with Spartacus!)

Really, Duplo? You don't think the bigger anti-feminist aspects of this might be that (a) caregiving is not valued by the state, either economically or socially, and (b) the modern workplace is still, by and large, designed for men who have a wife at home taking care of all things domestic, and mothers who want to work are required to fit themselves to this role rather than the other way around?
It's not the mammalian biology that's the problem.

I've read breastfeeding is feminist because it's using breasts for a purpose other than sex, which society often focusses solely on. I can't tell you how infuriated I get when breastfeeding mums are encouraged to cover up when men can walk around shirtless in public. Not to mention the regular comparison between breasts and genitals (e.g. people commenting that if women can expose a breast while feeding, why can't men walk around with no trousers which I have unbelievably read/heard many many times!). Also women feeling they need 'permission' from their man to bf - I've more than once heard a friend say 'well I'd like to breastfeed but dp feels funny about it' or 'we'll switch to formula since dp doesn't want me breastfeeding any more.' I absolutely believe breastfeeding should be a personal choice but I think there are many issues surrounding it which do need to be addressed (not just these I've listed but agree with pp about support, ff shaming etc.).

Hi Op, It's most definitely a feminist issue, It becomes so hard to separate "tits" are for men and breasts for babies. I've had men stare at me when breastfeeding, maybe because it's not that common?!? or maybe something else? It shouldn't be about breast feeding vrs formula as that just goes around in circles.

What Spartacus said.

but how we manage to get a discussion going without people feeling the need to defend their choice, or attacked for the choice they made, I don't know.
This is so important and its what stops any discussion progressing when a thread is started doesn't it?

I don't think it's the breastfeeding which is anti feminist in that, it's the structural sexism which sticks us with 'primary carer' , fathers not taking paternity leave, working practices not having sufficient flexibility which are anti feminist.

I don't know. Being a mother is a particular kind of work. More than work really, which is what work should be, for everyone. Recognising that people have to combine being a parent with a workplace and making accommodation is better than the idea that somehow you have to treat women and parents like single men. But it's still not fully realising the nature of motherhood as work with integrity.

I do kind of get that the fact that only women can breastfeed would feel restrictive to a lot of women though.

Yes, it is. But is restriction always a problem? I felt restricted when I was pregnant, but, it is what it is. When my eldest was born I was surprised how much more restricted I felt, and I think that is where many women have a similar experience. But I don't know that railing against the restriction is the answer. I think its a bit like pregnancy, it is what it is.

it's liberal feminism vs radical feminism innit?

liberal feminist says 'breast feeding stops women fromm working like a man: it is BAD'

Radical feminism says 'breast feeding is something women's bodies can do. if it has social or financial impacts for women that do it, we should look at what causes those impacts and abolish them so women can breast feed if they want to without outside factors stopping them'

Another interesting read on it is Hollie McNish's memoir on motherhood, 'Nobody Told Me'. Lots of thoughts about feminism, breastfeeding, motherhood - and she is a poet, so the chapters are mingled with poems - it is a gorgeous read.

I don't disagree with your response to what I said, goosefoot, I was responding perhaps too narrowly to duplo's contention that breastfeeding was anti feminist.

Yes I think you have an excellent point there.

SpartacusAutisticusAHF
For me too, apologies if my post comes up 3 times

still good points though-all the better for being made 4 times!

I don't really know much about socialist feminism. but i am increasingly wary of anything that accepts the status quo - working long hours is good and we should find ways to help mothers do that. why?

it's rather troubling really. I work 4 days a week and my husband works 5, so we outsource childcare for quite a lot of the time. good decision / bad decision - who knows?