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?

It made you feel physically sick? Why do you think it made you feel that way?

@LassOfFyvie

Do you think your reaction is within a range of “normal”?

I consider all discussions about a woman’s right to breastfeed if public to be very feminist.

FFS, can we stop with giving Lass the Spanish Inquisition please. It's no wonder some people get defensive.

Also using breasts for their natural maternal purpose vs breasts being sexualised for male pleasure is very feminist.

JessicaWakefieldSV

It made you feel physically sick? Why do you think it made you feel that way?

I have already explained this.It is the hormone let down. They don't tell you that. It's rare , but it happens; it's supposed to stop but occasionally it doesn't.

BertrandRussell
Do you think your reaction is within a range of “normal”?

I don't care whether it is "within a range of normal"? Why the hell should I care?

the Spanish Inquisition please

This is a forum. Often when you comment, people ask questions about your comment. It’s unusual in my experience, for it to cause physical sickness, so that’s why I asked. This I a discussion on breastfeeding. Nobody is forced to engage.

I shared a link which explains nursing aversion. Several posts back.

Why the hell should I care?

This discussion was supposed to be a general, rather than personal one. So the question is relevant to the general discussion which includes in this case, why the uk numbers are so low. You’ve answered it anyway, when you responded to me, it’s rare. As rare as that is, they should still discuss it and offer support or help when it happens.

“FFS, can we stop with giving Lass the Spanish Inquisition please. It's no wonder some people get defensive.”

Sorry? She has made very definite and unusual statements. Obviously fine if she doesn’t want to go into it any further, but surely she should have expected to be questioned?

It's ironic that everyone is going on about making it a general discussion and not a personal one, but quizzing a poster about her personal experiences and implying she's not "normal".

Really feminist of you all!

I've known quite a few people who had a similar experience at let down, I did myself. It went away for most, and there are some things that can be done to try and make it better.

But it is something that didn't used to get talked about much or at all. Rather like loss of libido wasn't talked about much. For a while it seemed like the pressure to be wholly positive meant people didn't discuss such things, and also I think because it had become less common there was a loss of knowledge about these kinds of less common, less obvious, effects.

Thank you Emma. You did share a link, which I found interesting and informative.

Jessica- the way your question was framed was rather unpleasant. I described a physical reaction. Bf made me feel sick- yet you ask "why did I think it made me feel that way" - you seem to be suggesting it was all in my head.

Really feminist of you all!

Can we stop with this? This is an important issue. We don’t need to compete on who is the most feminist. It’s stupid.

It’s a general discussion, but if posters add their personal story then it’s natural for others to ask questions. If you don’t like it, don’t engage.

Yes that's a good point Goose.

She has made very definite and unusual statements. Obviously fine if she doesn’t want to go into it any further, but surely she should have expected to be questioned?

She had already explained that nausea is caused by hormones.

you seem to be suggesting it was all in my head.

No, that’s your interpretation, not my intention. I’ll refrain from asking you questions again, you’re incredibly defensive and aggressive. Not everyone is out to get you. I have had what seems like an endless amount of hormone disorders for 20 years, so I’m actually interested. But you carry on attacking everyone who engages with you. You seem to enjoy it.

But it is something that didn't used to get talked about much or at all.

Endocrine issues in general are under funded, poorly researched and not well understood. This affects women more because we have more complex endocrine systems.

I have had what seems like an endless amount of hormone disorders for 20 years, so I’m actually interested. But you carry on attacking everyone who engages with you. You seem to enjoy it.

I had already explained the hormone issue so not sure why you demanded I explain it again.

I didn’t demand, I asked. I didn’t see your explanation, this is a long thread. Sometimes people miss stuff. To claim I framed my question ‘unpleasantly’ is extremely defensive and utter nonsense.

Like I said, I will not ask you a question again. I have no interest in expending excessive emotional labour trying to frame questions or comments so as not to offend someone so quick to attack.

"Interestingly, I have read comments that referred to public breastfeeding as 'disgusting', 'revolting', 'like taking a piss in public' etc etc. So, there is a wider context in which such words are used to discourage and shame women who do choose to breastfeed (and God forbid! to do so publicly)."

This is a good point.

I think the problem is that women who don't breastfeed, or stop breastfeeding, feel the need to justify themselves, and perhaps it's easier to use the dominant discourse to do it. Even if that discourse is not accurate or measured.

Thanks for sharing Lass. I think yours is a valuable perspective and perhaps quite common, but one that isn’t really talked about.
I’ve heard quite a few women say that thought breastfeeding was yucky/revolting but have never thought about that in relation to hormonal balances/reactions.

That would’ve been useful to know as a peer supporter.

It's important to look at the language around these issues. I agree the cow analogy needs more challenging because as people have said all the different mammals lactate and it shouldn't be seen as bovine or requiring a certain passive temperament