Jamie Krug: What If It's Getting Better?
Daniel Donahoo: The Evolution of Parent-School Engagement
Michelle vs. the Michelles: A Breast-Feeding Throwdown
Filed under: In The News, Breast-Feeding
To celebrate the anniversary of her "Let's Move!" anti-obesity campaign, Michelle Obama is talking up the health benefits of breast-feeding and new government incentives that she hopes will encourage more moms to nurse and hopefully, curb childhood obesity.
But two other Michelles, Michelle Bachman and Michelle Malkin, breast-feeding moms themselves, are challenging her "nanny state" approach to the issue.
Look, I'm the first to agree that Obama's obesity campaign is an ineffective use of taxpayer dollars. Do we really need another government program to tell us that Oreos, Hot Pockets, Dr Pepper and Big Macs will make kids fat -- especially if they're also sitting in front of the television or computer instead of playing outside?
We like our first ladies to champion a good cause, and breast-feeding awareness is a very worthy one, but too often, Obama's "good deeds" entail government task forces, federal agencies and more mandates and spending.
Malkin calls the studies Obama cites linking obesity to baby formula "junk science." Meanwhile, Bachman criticizes the first lady for offering a tax break on breast pumps. I'm a fan of the feisty and fearless conservative Michelles, but couldn't they at least give props to Obama for championing privacy for nursing moms in the workplace and encouraging a "family friendly" practice that has so many proven benefits for babies? After all, Obama isn't mandating nursing or pumping rooms at the office. She issued a press release from the Surgeon General encouraging employers to consider the benefits to moms, babies and workplace morale and retention. Can't women on both sides of the aisle put aside the politics for a second and at least call a truce on that?
During a recent visit to the U.S. Capitol, I was relieved when I discovered a small designated room where I could nurse my baby and I praised Rep, Nancy Pelosi for making the room possible for moms who would otherwise be hauling in breast pumps and extension cords and sitting on a toilet in a bathroom stall. It's fair to say that Pelosi was in a position to accommodate moms on the Hill, but plenty of employers are also doing it, and I'm certain many more would voluntarily follow with a little awareness.
Ignorance, not cold heartedness, is the obstacle here, and the vast majority of business owners are not the big, mean capitalists so many liberals paint them out to be.
I'll never forget when, as a first-time mom, I tried to nurse my fussy baby in a restaurant booth. Frustrated, I went to a chairless bathroom where I tried in vain to calm her down and nurse her while standing up. Thankfully, a kind, more experienced mom who had been watching followed me into the bathroom with a chair, washed her hands and offered to hold the baby while I got comfortable. She then handed me a calmer baby who was ready to eat. As I nursed, the woman told me what a wonderful mom I was for trying and gently encouraged me not to give up on nursing -- something I might have done on that day, left to my own frustration and humiliation. When I left the restaurant, I smiled as I drove past a billboard with a picture of a mom rocking her child and the simple message, "Support a nursing mom."
Now isn't that a bipartisan, pro-family message we can all agree on?
Want to get the latest ParentDish news and advice? Sign up for our newsletter!
Your<span>Voice</span>
Ask Us Anything About Parenting
Recently Asked
TheTalkies:RelatedVideos
-
Breast Reconstruction: Jewel Discusses - Breast Reconstruction Awareness
Fewer than 25 percent of women who have mastectomies undergo immediate breast reconstruction. Singer Jewel talks about why women need to know more about their options. Also joining the conversation are Barbara Kriss, Dr. Michele Manahan, Sue Friedman and Kathy Steligo.
-
Learn how to Plate the Chicken Breasts with Grits and Orange Remoulade
Learn how to plate the chicken breasts with grits and orange remoulade in this video with world famous Chef Michel Richard.
-
Learn how to Prepare Fried Chicken Breast
Learn how to prepare fried chicken breast in this video with world famous Chef Michel Richard.
-
Breast Cancer Tracking Application
In this edition of EmpowHER's "HER Health Minute", Michelle King Robson discusses a smart phone app that can help track and manage a woman's battle with breast cancer.
SitesWeLove
- Site Map
- |
- Staff
- |
- Terms of Service
- |
- Privacy Policy
- |
- Trademarks
- |
- Advertise With Us
- |
- About Our Ads
- |
- AOL Downloads
- |
- Contact Us
- |
© Copyright 2012 AOL Inc. All Rights Reserved.
Aol Family
ReaderComments (Page 1 of 1)
2-17-2011 @ 7:57PM
sandy said...Rachel....you are a media ho who wasn't good enough to be on the View. Just go make so more Republican, racist babies.
Reply
2-18-2011 @ 8:50PM
elizabeth said...Sandy, that was so uncalled for. There was NOTHING republican about this post. This one side vs other side gets us nowhere in politics, relationships, or as Americans.
2-17-2011 @ 7:11PM
Kriste said...I agree Rachel. On another site where this was being discussed, a man (the only man who commented) sat there and bashed Michelle Obama for regulating the breasts of women and "not raising her daughters properly" (not sure where/how he got his information on that one). Nowhere did Michelle Obama say it was going to be made law that women breastfeed.
What I am most worried about though is that people will confuse the comments of the Michelles as anti-breastfeeding. Malkin's criticism of the study could suggest to less educated women and men that formula feeding is equivalent to breastfeeding. And their refusal to give Mrs. Obama her due for the positive things she is trying sends a message that could be read as breast is not best, don't even bother because it's going to be too difficult in the end anyway.
Reply
2-17-2011 @ 9:22PM
kate said...That is a beautiful story of your experience in the public bathroom but I write to you from the opposite spectrum. I have four children and never nursed a single one, not even once. I recall being very uncomfortable with my breasts during my pregnancy, they caused me a lot of grief! I also remember not being thrilled with the idea of nursing, I just didn't feel good about it, why I am not sure. My OB at the time told me it is hard and stressful to be both pregnant and then to be a new mom. If I am completely uncomfortable with nursing I shouldn't feel pressured to do it or feel badly if I decided not to breastfeed.
As I am all for everyone being kind and compassionate I think that we all make different choices and those need to be respected. The response I have gotten over the years when discussing this topic is typically a non sympathetic and judgemental one. People seem to look at women that don't breastfeed as bad mommy's or neglectful parents. My four children were some of the healthiest I had known throughout their infancy and now as they are 13, 10, 8 and 16 months. My pediatrician only sees us for check ups or vaccinations and says that she never sees us. Not only are my children healthy and not overweight but they are also extremely well adjusted and intelligent.
So, while I support a women's decision to breastfeed her baby I ask that we also support those women that for whatever their reason choose not to breastfeed. As my OB said over thirteen years ago the challenges of being a mom are many there is no reason to make it anymore difficult than it already is.
Thanks,
Kate
Reply
2-18-2011 @ 3:20PM
Lauren said...Curious if your obgyn also gave you the advice that if you don't feel comfortable birthing your babies, that you shouldn't have to?
2-18-2011 @ 11:05PM
Alicia said...@Lauren- Funny how you prove Kate right. She did nothing wrong by choosing to formula feed and her choice deserves to be respected, as do the choices of all women, whether they breastfeed, bottle feed or never have children at all.
2-17-2011 @ 8:26PM
Grace said...I wholeheartedly agree with your general point here, Rachel! Political rhetoric and wrangling should not be a priority when discussing breastfeeding. I would, however, also point out that the sort of statement that follows sounds a whole lot like the rhetoric and wrangling that you're disparaging. PLEASE stop stereotyping liberals while asking liberals to stop stereotyping others.
"Ignorance, not cold heartedness, is the obstacle here, and the vast majority of business owners are not the big, mean capitalists so many liberals paint them out to be."
Reply
2-18-2011 @ 3:58PM
Grace said...Whoa! Lauren, your insensitive, hurtful, and ignorant comment belies your own stupidity. You need to do some current research on the subject of breastfeeding. I can't provide links here (Parentdish doesn't allow it), but you can find a recent article on Babble that is but ONE of MANY articles that refer to the problematic studies "proving" that breast is best. Kate, you need not feel guilty for your choice not to breastfeed -- nor is there any credible, convincing evidence supporting the claim that formula is a bad choice. As a fellow community member, thanks for sharing your experiences. Wish there were more moms like you and fewer like Lauren.
Reply
2-20-2011 @ 12:21PM
Sifrina said...Great post. "Junk Science"? How can she even say that with a straight face? Look, I nursed/pumped for 9 months (even while working full time) and I never thought formula was the enemy (my son had it on occasion and after he weaned), but for anyone to challenge the benefits of breastfeeding is ignoring reality and just trying to take political pot shots. There should be no "aisle" in this discussion, especially not from those who claim to care about life and children.
Education/encouragement of companies is the key as you point out - Look at the Nordstrom's immaculate, relaxing nursing lounge. I practically lived there while on maternity leave for 6 months and was happy to also shop/eat there before/after nursing! I love rewarding the smart business!
On your "tax dollar/federal program comment" - there have been plenty of Republican backed federal programs that have cost this country LOTS more than the first Lady's program. Halliburten comes to mind - billions spent on Cheney's former company and for what purpose?The first Lady's message may seem obvious but she's trying to raise awareness on this important issue. Or do you think it's only ok for Republican's to decide how to fritter away taxpayer dollars??
Reply
2-20-2011 @ 12:31PM
Sifrina said...Kate, you are absolutely right - motherhood goes way beyond breastfeeding (and congratulations on raising 4 healthy children!). When I had some initial problems nursing (it took 6 weeks for us both to get comfortable with doing this full time; I started off pumping and bottlefeeding) I deeply resented the pressure and guilt trip groups like La Leche League put on new moms who can't or don't feel comfortable nursing, or are even in horrible pain or misery while nursing. This makes absoultely no sense. Moms need and deserve all the support we can give to them - no matter what their choice is.
Reply
2-20-2011 @ 12:38PM
Sifrina said...Many of my conservative Republican friends are really happy with the tax break on breast pumps and other accessories! They aren't complaining about the so called nanny state!! Soon Bachman will be crying foul that this is "sex discrimination" because men can't take advantage of the tax break. Oh Brother!
Reply
2-24-2011 @ 9:34AM
Anita said...The point is that formula should not be taxed out of being a choice, mothers should not be penalised for making one choice over another. Every mother endevours to do the best for her child and her whole family.
What sort of world do we live in where one mother must pay extra tax because of her choice to formula feed and that tax could be used for another mother's "choice" to abort her baby?
Reply
2-25-2011 @ 8:28PM
Sifrina said...Anita, I totally respect that it is a mother's choice, but it is undeniably best for a baby to be breastfed and that is why it's being encouraged and incentivized. That's not to say there's anything wrong with feeding your baby formula (I did that too on occasion, even as a nursing mom for 9 months), but it is well established that breastmilk is the best. Again, if a mother can't or doesn't feel comfortable breastfeeding, I respect that and no one should force her to or punish her or make her feel badly for this choice in any way. There are tax credits for people who adopt internationally (which I think is fantastic!), but we ultimately chose not to so I don't get that tax credit and I don't cry about it... because I had a choice. That's just the way it is.