why is it "OK" to call someone a "BF Nazi"?

[ksmeadowlark]

I was hosting a social event in my home tonight and one of my friends is dating a surgical resident. We were talking about childbirth, etc. and I then asked him a general question about the attitude toward breastfeeding in medical school. He let out with some comment about how "breastfeeding Nazis" try to teach them that any mom who doesn't nurse is a horrible person. And then he asked me if they had "harrassed" me when my DS was born.

It took me a moment to gather myself and to explain to him that I am an active member of LLL and a breastfeeding advocate. Then he changed his tune and pretty much tried to make it sound like he actually WAS pro-breastfeeding. OH BROTHER! He also thought that BF moms were not allowed to have any alcohol (and he has been through OB/GYN rotations).

I am really offended when anyone throws a term like "Nazi" around casually. But more than that, I am sad to see that this guy represents the future of medicine...

[luvinlivin]

He actually represents the past, present and future of medicine!


Kinda like those ghosts in A Christmas Carol.



Anyways, his comments are ever so common for his studies. And b/c someone has been through OB/GYN rotations doesn't mean that much in terms of 'first do no harm' or a real understanding of the success of hundreds of thousands of generations of natural birthing, breastfeeding women. Obstetrics is a surgical specialty so he probably liked the cutting and stiching parts.

As my father (a surgeon) used to joke about his OB/GYN rotations, it was basically 'grab a mitt and catch' or 'cut 'em open'. SAD but true. He doesn't know anything about the beauty of birthing, breastfeeding or the hormonal supports between mama and babe.

I do hope your friend recognizes how misogynistic his comments were...he could be one of those men who enjoy breasts for sexual stimulation but do not find their capacity to keep a human alive that fascintating at all.

Sorry you had him around in your home...

[kerikadi]

If there is one thing I have learned is that gOBlins know next to nothing about breastfeeding. Having worked in a surgery center with many doctors I can tell you they are truly ignorant. I was constantly surprised by the unnecessary, planned cesareans and formula feeding doctors and nurses.

Keri

[Meiri]

Uh, yeah, we're building fenced compounds for the FF as he speaks, NOT.

What a jerk.

[Chi-Chi Mama]

well, it's bad enough that so many doctors are so ignorant about nursing (and think that just because they have an M.D. at the end of their name, they know everything, in and out of their specialty)

but to use the word 'nazi'????????????

that word is thrown around so lightly these days..

anytime i hear it, i try to somewhat gently remind people what "nazi" really means, just in case they slept through some history classes. my grandparents remember first hand what it was like to be in the middle of WWII. my grandma still has a piece of metal stuck in her leg from a bomb blowing up several feet in from of her and has lost most of her family in concentration camps. i grew up reading so much about the history and the atrocities committed by the nazis. anyway...

it usually turns the conversation sour, but i'm never sorry, because i know that person will likely think twice before saying "nazi" so lightily in the future

[yogamama]

I agree! Breastfeeding Nazi and Femi-Nazi are my two pet peeves. How can people say things so lightly??

[DeChRi]

Wow, ksmeadowlark, you are way more polite than me. I take that as my cue to lay into em! Good for you for noe shruggin him off!

[merpk]

If you run into this guy again, e-mail me. I've got phone numbers of several people with numbers tattooed on their arms who can instruct him about what exactly the term "nazi" stands for.

Not to mention many, many more people who never knew grandparents, aunts, uncles, etc.

What a jerk. The medical profession's finest. :

- Amy

[pawprint]

Hey all;

A lot of my friends say Breast Nazi. I don't use it liberrally, but fall into the catagory. However, if that's the worst thing anyone ever calls me...
Still poeple should be more compassionate about those who did suffer at the hands of the REAl nazi's.

[Momtwice]

Using the word Nazi this way is NEVER ok with me.

It really makes me mad when NURSING MOTHERS say it.

If a doc says it, it strikes me as defensive. They are threatened by the power and knowledge of the strong, educated women who are bf advocates. So they attack them. Nice.

[LunaMom]

When I hear people speak this way, it angers and saddens me at the same time. Angry that people will trivialize the Holocaust in that way, by using the term so lightly, and sad that people who want to promote something that is loving and healthy for our children are compared to heartless murderers.

Did I forget to mention that it makes me feel sick, too?

[mtn. mama]

I agree with Momtwice that is used defensively by a med. professional. But how professional is that?!

[miriam]

Dearest Mothering Friends:

Please remind your very professional medical friend that the use of the word "Nazi" in this context is very inappropriate.

Please tell your very well-educated, well-read, professional medical doctor friend that there were plenty of DOCTORS who cooperated with the NAZIS in the concentration camps.

The most famous of all was DOCTOR Mengele, the "angel of death".

My favorite comment by the late great Dr. Robert Mendelsohn is that "higher education" is a misnomer; it should be "longer education". Many people lost the ability to think on the basis of common sense after four years of college. He said that he himself would have to shed some of his arrogance sometimes.

When you start throwing around strong terms like "nazi", the term tends to lose its original meaning, and mean nothing after a while.

[candiland]

OOps. Thank you for bringing this issue into the light. My sister calls me the Birth Nazi - I'm way into natural birth, homebirth, midwives, etc. - I'm a doula and childbirth educator, as well. It's been a joke for me lately.... I even signed a post on a different board "The Birth Nazi" I did not truly sit and think about this word I was throwing around so carelessly.....

[marymom]

this is truly one of my big pet peeves. I am on this breastfeeding taskfoce where they actually refer to each other as BFing nazis, the other one I dont like is militant. What is militant about BFing? It makes me sad to see women who are sincerely trying to advocate and educate others using terms like nazi and militant to describe a manner of positive BFing advocasy/support.

[miriam]

bump

[Ravin]

When you say "militant bf advocate" I get this vision of a troop of mamas with babys in slings holding rifles to the heads of mama w/ babies in strollers holding bottles saying "relactate or else!" A bit absurd.

[Quirky]

http://www.militantbreastfeedingcult.com/index_a.html

[megtell]

oh my goodness....

I think people have forgotten (or never knew) how terrible the Nazis were (and are)......Maybe it's from the Seifneld Soup Nazi thing? I don't know.... but it's very hurtful.......

[Sustainer]

Do you think I shouldn't have used the term "Nazi-ism" in this other thread?

http://mothering.com/discussions/sho...threadid=55871