Response to so many church/bfing posts

[muppet729]

There have been many posts about bf-ing in church that I wanted to post a link of what Pope John Paul II said about bf-ing. Note the part about "supporting women" and also "well into the second year." He also quotes a couple of verses from teh Bible about bf-ing.

I know that not everyone on here is Catholic, but as someone who has had problems with comments at church myself, I know that it helps to remember and remind negative NIP people that many religions FULLY support bf-ing and that it's only ignorant people that make us feel like we can't or shouldn't bf in church. Um, hello, God's house- let's let Him decide- oh that's right, He's teh One who designed it!!

http://ccli.org/nfp/ebf/jp2.php

[judybean]

Yes, yes, YES!!!!!!! I've read that many times myself and use it as complete support for bfing in church!

I haven't done it myself yet, but we had a lot of issues early on and I wasn't comfortable feeding *anywhere* in public (now I am, but haven't had the issue arise yet in church).

I feel the way you do, God DESIGNED a woman's body to be able to completely nurture her child! I feel that in a small way I am thanking Him every time I nurse Lucy

Thank you for this post! I'm always up for reaffirming what I already know to be right (and to have sources to bookmark as well!)

[kalisis]

Oooh, I'm not religious in the least, but I LOVE Pope John Paul II. I just him.

[Kavita]

Not Catholic/Christian either--but,
I really like the part about how breastfeeding can "enable the child to assert his presence as a person through interaction with the mother".

That's awesome! I've never thought of it in exactly that way before, but it's put very simply, profoundly and beautifully.

[Kerrie]

I haven't seen the posts that you are talking about but it reminded me of what my pastor said to me when we were talking about DD1's baptism and I was concerned about feeding her(I'm lutheran if that matters) - he said 'breastfeeding is biblical'. I never felt bad about nursing in church again!

[AllyRae]

I read that a while ago--I love it! Pope JPII was very good about that!

LOL...I still nurse my 2 1/2 year old at mass every week. I get some looks, but hey, bfing is protected in Ohio, so what can they say... :LOL:

[muppet729]

Be careful about the laws though- some of them would not protect you in a "place of worship." I found that out after a woman confronted me and I told her that the law was on my side but later I found out that the law isn't going to enforce such a thing in a religious place- "separation of church and state" and all that.

THat being said, I obviously believe that most places of worship should support us as nursing moms doing what is natural, but I think if you got a stubborn enough leader, you wouldn't be supported by the laws... I live in IL and we have great laws about bfing- "anywhere the mom is allowed to be"- but there is a place that says not necessarily for religious places

[wendy1221]

Originally Posted by muppet729

Be careful about the laws though- some of them would not protect you in a "place of worship." I found that out after a woman confronted me and I told her that the law was on my side but later I found out that the law isn't going to enforce such a thing in a religious place- "separation of church and state" and all that.

I'm pretty sure this is not true. Churches are not outside the law!

[muppet729]

http://www.lalecheleague.org/Law/Bills18.html

SUMMARY OF ENACTED BREASTFEEDING LEGISLATION
ILLINOIS

Illinois has enacted several significant breastfeeding laws: (1) clarifying that breastfeeding in not public indecency; (2) authorizing a public information campaign; (3) providing for a program in WIC for lactation support, including payment for equipment and services; (4) providing accommodations for employed mothers who are breastfeeding; (5) clarifying a mother’s right to breastfeed in public and (6) exempting breastfeeding mothers from jury duty upon request.

Section 10. Breastfeeding Location. A mother may breastfeed her baby in any location, public or private, where the mother is otherwise authorized to be, irrespective of whether the nipple of the mother's breast is uncovered during or incidental to the breastfeeding; however, a mother considering whether to breastfeed her baby in a place of worship shall comport her behavior with the norms appropriatein that place of worship.

[Firemom]

I nursed both my babies in a catholic church.

The priest during the "Peace with you" moment during the service, came up to me and said "peace be with you, ahh and nursing just like Mother Mary did"

[AngelBee]

Thank you for posting this. I am Catholic and have NEVER had any trouble nursing in church.

[Awaken]

I'm a Christian, not Catholic- don't know much about the Pope's views but I totally LOVE this statement! That is awesome, and I thank you for posting it.

Originally Posted by muppet729

Um, hello, God's house- let's let Him decide- oh that's right, He's teh One who designed it!!

Yes!!!!

[Kate522]

I'm glad to know that the Catholic church is more supportive about bfing than it used to be. My MIL left the Catholic church in 1967 because her priest told her she could not nurse her son (my husband) during mass. She breastfed him until he was 9 months old. Pretty good for 1967. He weaned himself at 9 months, probably a nursing strike. She had never heard of a nursing strike before. She said if she had known about that she would've breastfed him longer. She has been very supportive of our breastfeeding children.

[muppet729]

[QUOTE=Kate522]I'm glad to know that the Catholic church is more supportive about bfing than it used to be. My MIL left the Catholic church in 1967 because her priest told her she could not nurse her son (my husband) during mass.

This is kind of my point though- don't necessarily associate what the church believes with what a particular priest/parishoner says. That's like saying that if every police officer/judge/politition is anti-bfing then the law says that we can't.

Here's a quote from Pope Pius the XII from 1941

http://ccli.org/nfp/ebf/pius12.php

"This is the reason why, except where quite impossible, it is more desirable that the mother should feed her child at her own breast. Who shall say what mysterious influences are exerted upon the growth of that little creature by the mother upon whom it depends entirely for its development."

[muppet729]

[QUOTE=Kate522]I'm glad to know that the Catholic church is more supportive about bfing than it used to be. My MIL left the Catholic church in 1967 because her priest told her she could not nurse her son (my husband) during mass.

This is kind of my point though- don't necessarily associate what the church believes with what a particular priest/parishoner says. That's like saying that if every police officer/judge/politition is anti-bfing then the law says that we can't.

Here's a quote from Pope Pius the XII from 1941

http://ccli.org/nfp/ebf/pius12.php

This is the reason why, except where quite impossible, it is more desirable that the mother should feed her child at her own breast. Who shall say what mysterious influences are exerted upon the growth of that little creature by the mother upon whom it depends entirely for its development.

[writermommy]

I am Catholic and this makes me very proud. He even mentions "marketing strategies" as interfering with breastfeeding!!!

[judybean]

Originally Posted by writermommy

I am Catholic and this makes me very proud. He even mentions "marketing strategies" as interfering with breastfeeding!!!

It makes me so proud too! That line really did warm my heart as well.

Tonight I was just at a CCW (council of catholic women) meeting (where I am the youngest member -- I'm 26 -- by ... hm... at least 26 years!) and nursed Lucy twice. Not quite church yet, but the ladies there all smiled at me, then 'chatted' with Lucy afterwards about being all happy, smiley and full of mama's milk!