Gisele Bundchen says moms should be forced to breastfeed - Page 3

[Heba]

Originally Posted by anne1140

All in all, breast is best. We all know that. You are never going to find me supporting something like this, though, because, in my opinion, having formula fed babies is a way lesser evil than not giving women the right to choose. Instead, we should be encouraging (not guilting) women to breastfeed and supporting those who choose to. It should be made as easy and accessible as possible.

(Just discussing...thinking out loud, perhaps...I'm finding this issue quite interesting actually so please don't think I'm being antagonistic.)

But how far do we take the woman's right to choose and ignore a baby's right? Should we have the right to choose to not use a carseat, or sit baby on our laps while driving (as in some countries)? To discipline/punish our children *any* way we see fit? This is what I found interesting about the Indonesian legislation (which did include exemption in case of "medical problems") - that it focussed on the right of the child to breastmilk. A balance, perhaps, beginning with more information so that mothers at the very least can make a truly *informed* choice.

I *totally* agree that breastfeeding should be made as easy and accessible as possible - with skilled breastfeeding support available to *all* mothers and their families for as long as they need or want it. Also employers need to be truly and practically supportive of breastfeeding, not just pay lip-service to it - and if legislation is the way to go on this count, then so be it.

[crunchy_mommy]

Originally Posted by Heba

But how far do we take the woman's right to choose and ignore a baby's right? Should we have the right to choose to not use a carseat, or sit baby on our laps while driving (as in some countries)? To discipline/punish our children *any* way we see fit? This is what I found interesting about the Indonesian legislation (which did include exemption in case of "medical problems") - that it focussed on the right of the child to breastmilk. A balance, perhaps, beginning with more information so that mothers at the very least can make a truly *informed* choice.

That's an interesting perspective I hadn't thought of. I suppose, too, it depends on how much cultural support there is for breastfeeding. If everyone just BF by default unless they had medical issues & jobs are set up to allow ALL working moms to pump & everyone can NIP without fear of 'the comments' and so forth -- then I think this kind of legislation is much more realistic. Not so much in a society where BF is no longer the norm & we have sexual hangups about breasts & you get kicked out of businesses for NIP. I am curious where Indonesia falls on that spectrum.

I would hate for someone (i.e. the gov't) to tell me how to parent my kid, but I do believe children have the right to life, basic necessities, health care when necessary, an environment free from abuse, etc. I just wonder where breastmilk falls and whether it is a 'right' or a 'parenting choice' and though I lean towards 'right' I can understand (at least in our culture) that sometimes parents need to make a different choice.

[Dr.Worm]

It was a ridiculous and offensive thing to say.