Religion and Breastfeeding - Xpost in Breastfeeding

[Amy0417]

Hi Mamas,

I'm doing a paper for my degree about Religion and Breastfeeding and I was wondering if anyone has specific religious (or cultural) norms regarding breastfeeding that they practice. I'm interested in every religion.  It would be much appreciated! 

-Amy

[A_Random_Phrase]

Edited by A_Random_Phrase - 12/7/10 at 4:03pm

[Amy0417]

Originally Posted by A_Random_Phrase 

I have not seen anything specific about breastfeeding in religions such as Catholics, Baptists, Church of Jesus Christ of latter day Saints. Not sure about others.

Yes, I haven't either.  I have found extensive information on Christianity, Judaism, and Islam.

[JMJ]

Breastfeeding has not made it into the Catechism of the Catholic Church yet, but both Pope Pius XII and Pope John Paul II have made very strong statements encouraging mothers to breastfeed.  For more information on their comments and to see the comments of some other Catholic theologians regarding breastfeeding, check out The Art Of Natural Family Planning 4th Edition by John and Sheila Kippley, pp 341-345.

[PatienceAndLove]

Originally Posted by Amy0417 

Originally Posted by A_Random_Phrase 

I have not seen anything specific about breastfeeding in religions such as Catholics, Baptists, Church of Jesus Christ of latter day Saints. Not sure about others.

Yes, I haven't either.  I have found extensive information on Christianity, Judaism, and Islam.

Catholics and Baptists are Christians.

I am hoping you are referring to Christianity in general.

[PatienceAndLove]

Catholicism recognizes Our Lady as Nuestra Senora de la Leche y buen parto (Our Lady of Milk and Happy Delivery)- this is who Le Leche League is named after

A Catholic Perspective on Breastfeeding in Public:

Pope John Paul II: ˝So human and natural is this bond that the Psalms use the image of the infant at its mother’s breast as a picture of God’s care for man (cf. Ps 22:9).˝

American Catholics and Breastfeeding

Catholic Nursing Mothers League

Nursing a Sexually Wounded Culture:

John Paul II observed in his theology of the body that the “whole exterior constitution of woman’s body, its particular look [is] in strict union with motherhood.” Since the body reveals the person, John Paul believes that this speaks volumes, not only about feminine biology, but about the dignity and nature of woman as a person. This is why he takes special care to note that “the Bible (and the liturgy following it) honors and praises throughout the centuries ‘the womb that bore you and the breasts from which you sucked milk’ (Lk 11:27). These words,” he continues, “are a eulogy of motherhood, of femininity, of the feminine body in its typical expression of creative love” (TOB 21:5).

NOTE: TOB= Theology of the Body

[Eeyore35]

Breastfeeding is mentioned in the writings of one of the founders of the Seventh Day Adventist Church, Ellen G. White.  I don't remember what all she wrote, but she was against wet nurses, and wrote that the baby would take on the characteristics of the wet nurse.

[A_Random_Phrase]

Edited by A_Random_Phrase - 12/7/10 at 4:03pm

[Eeyore35]

Just wanted to add, if you are interested, i can track down references for what Ellen G, White wrote. I was raised SDA, and that is why i was against wet nurses. I'm NOT SDA now, and I know EGW was wrong, but i still hate the idea of a wet nurse. My mother was quite pro-nursing for her time but also against wet nurses, and against nursing in mixed company unless you are VERY discreet.

[motherhendoula]

Menonites quit nursing after 6 months so their fertility will return and they will be able to have more children.

[cappuccinosmom]

motherhendoula, that's a bit of a generalization.  There's a huge variety among Mennonites. 

About Christianity in general, there is nothing in the Bible or in Christian doctrine that is opposed in any way to bf. 

There are pockets of Christians all over the place, in all denominations, who are uncomfortable with breastfeeding.  IMO, that has nothing to do with faith and everything to do with culture and societal norms.  Even with the Ezzos, the purpose of their teaching is not against breastfeeding as nourishment or health-giving (rather, they worry about on-cue feeding creating a "monster" who thinks the universe revolves around him), though the end result damages a breastfeeding relationship. 

[Panserbjorne]

Originally Posted by Eeyore35 

Breastfeeding is mentioned in the writings of one of the founders of the Seventh Day Adventist Church, Ellen G. White.  I don't remember what all she wrote, but she was against wet nurses, and wrote that the baby would take on the characteristics of the wet nurse.

I'd never heard that before.  I've read about it being observed from a neutral medical stance though.  Interesting.

[GoBecGo]

Not a muslim, but pretty sure Islam suggests 2 years of BFing, though i know some mamas follow that and some don't (in the religious sense, obviously some can't BF/couldn't establish supply etc. as in other groups).

ETA - i know about this mainly because i pump for a friend and another (muslim) friend told me if he had 5 or more feedings from me he would be my milk-son and a brother to my BFed children.  Historically i think this guarded against close-cousin marriage, since sisters/female relatives often shared the task of nursing and all those who fed from each woman were considered siblings and therefore couldn't marry.

[Liquesce]

Originally Posted by GoBecGo 

Historically i think this guarded against close-cousin marriage, since sisters/female relatives often shared the task of nursing and all those who fed from each woman were considered siblings and therefore couldn't marry.

First cousin marriages have always been and continue to be normative in Islamic societies; there has never been anything therein perceived to need guarding against.  

[Amy0417]

Originally Posted by PatienceAndLove 

Originally Posted by Amy0417 

Originally Posted by A_Random_Phrase 

I have not seen anything specific about breastfeeding in religions such as Catholics, Baptists, Church of Jesus Christ of latter day Saints. Not sure about others.

Yes, I haven't either.  I have found extensive information on Christianity, Judaism, and Islam.

Catholics and Baptists are Christians.

I am hoping you are referring to Christianity in general.

Yes, I'm sorry if I offended you.  I meant I haven't found research on solely Catholics or Baptist.  Just Christianity in general.  

[Amy0417]

Originally Posted by GoBecGo 

Not a muslim, but pretty sure Islam suggests 2 years of BFing, though i know some mamas follow that and some don't (in the religious sense, obviously some can't BF/couldn't establish supply etc. as in other groups).

ETA - i know about this mainly because i pump for a friend and another (muslim) friend told me if he had 5 or more feedings from me he would be my milk-son and a brother to my BFed children.  Historically i think this guarded against close-cousin marriage, since sisters/female relatives often shared the task of nursing and all those who fed from each woman were considered siblings and therefore couldn't marry.

Yes, in Islam if you are a "wet nurse" to a someone, they become your child and your children become his brothers and sister they could not marry.  It is very interesting!

[Amy0417]

Originally Posted by Eeyore35 

Just wanted to add, if you are interested, i can track down references for what Ellen G, White wrote. I was raised SDA, and that is why i was against wet nurses. I'm NOT SDA now, and I know EGW was wrong, but i still hate the idea of a wet nurse. My mother was quite pro-nursing for her time but also against wet nurses, and against nursing in mixed company unless you are VERY discreet.

I would love to learn about this.  It would be going in my paper but it's very interesting to me in general.  Thanks!

[GoBecGo]

Clearly my friends have been misinformed.
 

Originally Posted by Liquesce 

Originally Posted by GoBecGo 

Historically i think this guarded against close-cousin marriage, since sisters/female relatives often shared the task of nursing and all those who fed from each woman were considered siblings and therefore couldn't marry.

First cousin marriages have always been and continue to be normative in Islamic societies; there has never been anything therein perceived to need guarding against.  

[Liquesce]

Originally Posted by GoBecGo 

Clearly my friends have been misinformed.
 

Originally Posted by Liquesce 

Originally Posted by GoBecGo 

Historically i think this guarded against close-cousin marriage, since sisters/female relatives often shared the task of nursing and all those who fed from each woman were considered siblings and therefore couldn't marry.

First cousin marriages have always been and continue to be normative in Islamic societies; there has never been anything therein perceived to need guarding against.  

 

Not really ... there is a milk-mother/milk-siblings concept, and that relationship does prohibit marriage the same as genetic mothers/siblings.  It's simply not so common for aunts to nurse their nieces and nephews as to broadly socially impact the marriageability of cousins.

[Amy0417]

Originally Posted by Liquesce 

Originally Posted by GoBecGo 

Clearly my friends have been misinformed.
 

Originally Posted by Liquesce 

Originally Posted by GoBecGo 

Historically i think this guarded against close-cousin marriage, since sisters/female relatives often shared the task of nursing and all those who fed from each woman were considered siblings and therefore couldn't marry.

First cousin marriages have always been and continue to be normative in Islamic societies; there has never been anything therein perceived to need guarding against.  

 

Not really ... there is a milk-mother/milk-siblings concept, and that relationship does prohibit marriage the same as genetic mothers/siblings.  It's simply not so common for aunts to nurse their nieces and nephews as to broadly socially impact the marriageability of cousins.

Here is an article that has a section pertaining to the wet nurse/foster mom.