Black Breastfeeding Blog

Sitting for a Formal Photograph and Breastfeeding

2008-04-22T04:48:00.002-05:00

In the Library of Congress archives, there are many photographs of Indian women with their babies in papooses. In all of the seated, formal pictures of women and their children I have seen, I have never seen a photo where the mother is freely breastfeeding her child. This photograph is quite interesting because although the woman was white, her husband was an Indian and she lived in an Indian village after being captured in her youth.

Her name was Cynthia Ann Parker (ca. 1825-ca. 1871) and in this photo she was nursing her daughter, Prairie Flower (Toposannah). Parker was captured by Native American Comanches as a teenager, later married Chief Peta Nocona and bore children including Quanah Parker, the last Comanche Chief.1860-1870.

Parker's life is very interesting. If you'd like to learn more about her, click here.

Giving Milk Formula to Nurses

2008-04-13T18:48:00.004-05:00

Things rarely change in this world in which we live. Case in point: An interview with Miss Mattie Ingram, a county health nurse in Beaufort, S.C. on January 31, 1939. This was published in the South Carolina Writer's Project.

After Mattie Ingram gave milk to a poor woman to feed her ill husband she said to the writer from the Project:

"Oh, the milk--do I buy it to give away?" She smiled. "If I started that, I'd be spending every cent I make and it wouldn't be a drop in the bucket. No, several manufacturers of canned milk send us samples to advertise their milk formulas for babies. It comes in very handy, I can tell you."

Sound familiar?

Breastfeeding in Public During Social Hour

2008-04-13T17:41:00.006-05:00

Although this photo isn't dated, I wager a bet it was taken during the mid to late 1930s. It may potentially be the early 1940s. What is particularly telling about this photograph are the notes on the back of the photo (below) and the fact that once again breastfeeding in public was no big deal before the formula industry changed the perception of infant feeding (almost irreparably) in this country. The men could care less that a woman's exposed breast is in full view of everyone, although the little boy on the right does seem a little enthralled by the baby breastfeeding.

Written Notes on Item
a) Part of Social Hour audience at Shafter Camp (handwritten on reverse); b) Todd's favorite picture of an "Okie Family" in Shafter F.S.A. Camp. Nursing babies was the usual thing at camp "Socials." (typed and attached to reverse)

Ancient Egyptians and Breasts

2008-04-12T17:04:00.003-05:00

Although this blog is about breastfeeding, there is no mistaking that the way in which the West views breasts has a lot to do with the perception of breastfeeding in this country.

Scholars have spent their lives and energies tracing the root of female discrimination around the world. I am no different, although I simply find pictures, post them here, and try to make some sense of this culture we live in that takes such great issue with breasts and breastfeeding.

Today while on the Metropolitan Museum of Art web site I noticed a picture of an ancient Egyptian woman on a coffin. Check it out: Her nipple is exposed! I don't know when people started getting so touchy about breasts. I've even fallen victim to this craziness. At least there is evidence that shows there was a time when breasts weren't so taboo.

Coal Miner's Wife, Breastfeeding at Home in 1938

2008-04-09T08:38:00.006-05:00

Coal miner's wife and child. Pursglove, West Virginia. 1938 Sept

Here's the funny thing about these photos: During this time, it was the poor mothers who stayed fast to the natural art of breastfeeding, whereas metropolitan mothers and those who had better access to doctors who pushed formula opted to feed their babies artificially.

Now in 2008, poor, rural mothers statistically do not want to have anything to do with breastfeeding and mothers who are better off economically breastfeed in higher numbers -- what a flip-flop.

I have spent more than a year trying to put an historic perspective on the legacy that black mothers have with breastfeeding, but it is now dawning on me that poor white women and particularly those who still live in rural areas have a storied history of breastfeeding that has largely been lost as well.

Breastfeeding Under the Trees, June 1939

2008-04-06T20:10:00.004-05:00

I am always amazed by the pictures I find of mothers in the 1930s and 40s who breastfed; I'm obsessed with them, really. Although formula was readily available then, poor farming mothers most always breastfed their babies as opposed to feeding them in a way that was expensive and I hazard to say...unnatural.

Here's a mother breastfeeding her daughter under the trees in Wagoner County, Oklahoma. The picture was taken in June 1939. This is a wife and child of an itinerant cane furniture maker and agricultural day laborer.

One satisfied baby.

Anybody Here?

2008-03-12T17:51:00.004-05:00

*Knocking on screen* Anyone around?

It's been about two weeks since I last posted regularly. I've been so, so busy.

I just got finished visiting my stat counter and my numbers would totally be in the tank if perverts didn't look for black breasts in the numbers they do. They're singlehandedly keeping my stats on track. How pathetic is that?

Starting tomorrow I'll be back posting about breastfeeding on a regular basis because this blog is important and I don't want to let any mom who happens to land here to feel shafted because I'm not writing on a regular basis.

So, See you tomorrow!

Blog for HybridMom.com

2008-03-06T10:15:00.003-05:00

Many of you who stop by often have probably been wondering where are all of my perky, yet pessimistic posts about public breastfeeding? Well, ever since a heated discussion (okay, maybe it wasn't heated; how about passionate) over the weekend I haven't posted at all, though not because I am laying low. Rather, I am the Website Director for HybridMom.com and we're in the process of launching a brand-new site this week.

That said, for our beta release I am looking for two mom bloggers who may be interested in doing a little political blogging for us. We're looking for a mom who is a McCain supporter and also a mom who is a Ralph Nader supporter who would like to blog for the Hybrid Mom Insider. We already have moms who support Obama and Clinton.

This is a great opportunity to voice your political perspectives and also write for an up-and-coming web site for moms and gain national recognition for your writing.

If interested, please email me at jenniferj (at) hybridmom (dot) com.

Thanks! I look forward to hearing from you.

Erykah Badu on Breastfeeding

2008-03-01T03:31:00.002-05:00

Thought this was interesting, but have to admit I think we all probably knew Erykah Badu would be a breastfeeding mama.

From AOL Music: It's been almost five years since Badu released her third album, 'Worldwide Underground,' and the singer admittedly took some time off to nurse her kids instead of her career. "I had a daughter in 2004, but I put out 'Worldwide Underground' in 2003 and I took the time to nurture her ... breastfeeding and mothering and caring for her. And she had an older brother who was six at the time, who also needed mommy's care, love and attention, " Badu explains in a sweet, reflective tone.

Would This Make You Stop Eating Bacon?

2008-02-28T15:52:00.007-05:00

Found this today on Mom Logic.

I cannot even articulate my feelings about this. All I can ask is...Why?

PETA is attempting to draw attention to the cruel treatment of sows.

What do you think? Dumb or effective? This won't make me stop eating bacon.

Wonder if PETA will do this performance activism again once this expectant mother has delivered? Next time she'll be in the cage breastfeeding her baby....

I guess this is the only way PETA can get their message across...by shocking people!

Edited to add...

OK, maybe I get their point.

Am I On the Right Blog?

2008-02-26T04:21:00.004-05:00

There's absolutely no doubt that during the last week I have come to a position about this "breastfeeding in school" case that I'm well aware grates on many of you. I can appreciate that. In fact, many of you are probably wondering: Am I on the right blog? Did Jennifer bump her head and lose her mind?

No. I haven't.

In reading a lot of the comments it dawned on me -- rather pointedly -- that there is this huge, often contentious debate raging around the world in favor of either breastfeeding rights or bottle-feeding rights and it troubles me greatly.

I know we don't live in a perfect world. And I also know that if mothers and breastfeeding advocates don't stand up for their rights, the bottle-feeding community will dominate the infant feeding landscape and that would be unfortunate.

But in a lot of the comments that were posted I heard language, tone, and sentiments that bottle-feeding mothers and anti-NIP people often complain about; that there is no leeway or middle ground in the breastfeeding debate.

I didn't like it.

As a result, I have decided to reevaluate my own attitudes about breastfeeding advocacy. I am more willing to look at other people's attitudes about their own infant feeding choices and not look down on mothers from some sanctimonious breastfeeding high perch.

While I believe mothers should breastfeed wherever they have a right to be, I think it is incumbent upon mothers when they are in the presence of other people's children to respect the possibility that their parents may not want their children viewing the act, no matter how natural breastfeeding is. Everyone doesn't see the world in which we do. I respect that.

My stance on this issue may be overwhelmingly complicated, but I stick by it.

Hmmm, Human Rights and Breastfeeding in Public

2008-02-24T09:17:00.006-05:00

Well-respected lactivist and ardent breastfeeding advocate, Morgan Gallager, commented on the running debate we've been having here of late stating:

The answer as to why the rights of the breastfeeding baby are paramount to the feelings of the 'offended' onlooker, is that babies having access to the breast when they are hungry, is a Human Rights Issue, and is not dependent on the personal opinion of onlookers.

I respect Morgan a great deal. I really, really do. She does amazing work for mothers and babies.

But, I don't buy this argument about breastfeeding in public -- in this case -- being a human rights issue because the child (who was 19-months-old) would not have starved TO DEATH if he didn't get breastfed IMMEDIATELY. Plus, not breastfeeding a toddler immediately does not put him in the category of being MALNOURISHED.

So, that point makes no sense to me at all.

In fact, a lot of this breastfeeding debate makes no sense to me because I have noticed how doggedly unrelenting both sides are in the matter of infant feeding. A few weeks ago I mentioned how this same debate has been raging on and on for over thirty years and it seems increasingly futile for me to be embroiled in this debate because it's not going ANYWHERE!

Every advocate or supporter of a cause has a philosophical catharsis about whatever it is they are advocating so strongly for. In my case, I am becoming more and more disillusioned by how breastfeeding advocates do not consider the rights and opinions of those who do not adhere to their philosophies. It makes me wonder if those vocal bottle-feeding mothers have a point; that perhaps imperious lactivists ARE giving them a guilt trip from hell for not breastfeeding.

I don't know!

I'm throwing my hands up in the air for a day or two because while I do believe wholeheartedly in breastfeeding and every mothers right to do so, I am having great trouble being a part of a debate that is perpetually contentious and a community where it's always "us" versus "them".

Measuring Modesty

2008-02-22T05:36:00.004-05:00

Well, I categorically disagree with all of the comments, to say the least! That leaves me starkly in the minority, but open debate is always a good thing even though I am heavily outweighed in this instance.

I believe now as I did when I was breastfeeding that there is an ebb and flow to breastfeeding in public, notably because I aptly recognize that in this society there is a sexual stigma associated with breasts. Where this stigma came from, who knows? But it's the same stigma that dictates women cannot walk around bare-chested no matter if we like that about our Western culture or not.

If my children went to school (they're homeschooled) it would never occur to me to breastfeed my baby in front of other people's children because I am fully cognizant that some parents my equate breastfeeding with sexuality, even though I recognize that is close-minded, backwards thinking. As close-minded as that is, my rights and the rights of my child do not trump those of people whose thinking differs from mine. Instead, in this instance, I would do a little creative planning beforehand and feed my baby immediately prior to coming to school and directly afterwards should she want to nurse. What is wrong with that?

But...here's what I'm gleaning from the comments: Damn other people and their opinions about breastfeeding. If my baby needs to eat, well she is going to eat and that's that...end of discussion! Period. Final.

I don't feel that way at all. I recognize that there are a variety of people in this world with a variety of views and life doesn't revolve around me even though I may be a mother who breastfeeds. In my opinion, there is nothing wrong with using a measure of modesty around other people's children.

Having said that, I'm just repeating myself. That's where I stand and likely where I will always come down on this issue.

In Defense of Fairness

2008-02-21T10:21:00.004-05:00

I have read every single comment and still no one has answered my question, but instead has talked around it in defense of breastfeeding rights.

Again, I ask: Do parents deserve the same courtesy and consideration for their children (if they do not want their children seeing another woman breastfeed at school) that a breastfeeding mother demands for herself and her child?

From the comments thus far I suspect many of you believe these parents have no rights whatsoever. Where is the equal ground here?

I am an ardent breastfeeding advocate, but I do not believe in arm-twisting to bend everyone to the will of breastfeeding mothers.

Conclusive Thinking

2008-02-20T09:01:00.004-05:00

Over the past two days I've raised difficult questions about a mother who breastfed at her daughter's school. She was asked to stop by school administators and although I believe every mother should and has the right to breastfeed I also believe that we have to consider the rights and feelings of others when we advocate for breastfeeding rights.

I didn't get many responses to yesterday's question so either my questioning is off-base or no one can adequately answer it.

Believe me, I am completely in favor of a mother's right to breastfeed in public. But in this society, I understand that while breastfeeding is a natural and beautiful act in my eyes, everyone does not share my sentiments.

Schools, in my mind, represent a place where all people's rights should be respected even those who may prefer their children not see a mother breastfeed her nineteen-month-old. Any other thinking beyond that starts a slide down the slippery slope to breastfeeding fanaticism in my view, where no one is right save those who breastfeed.

I know in debating people don't like to talk about slippery slopes, so I'll rephrase. I really don't want to ever go down a "moist hill" into close-minded lactivism where no one else matters.

As an aside: I know many liken breastfeeding rights to those of the Civil Rights movement. In fact, some may argue that in a segregated America, some whites had the right for their children to not go to school with blacks, if you follow my aforementioned line of thinking. But, the basic right of equal access to education for all children regardless of race is miles apart from a mother's right to breastfeed in front of other children not her own. Just wanted to throw that out before I hear that argument.

So You Mean to Tell Me....

2008-02-19T14:39:00.003-05:00

...that if a mother is breastfeeding in front of children in a school, that mother should not take into consideration that some parents may not want their children witnessing a child nursing?

There have been a lot of arguments against yesterday's post, and I appeciate the thought behind all of them. You know I love comments! But I have to ask, hypotheticals aside, do these parents not deserve the same courtesy and consideration for their children that the breastfeeding mother demands for herself and her child?

Considering Other Children While Breastfeeding in Public

2008-02-18T08:03:00.006-05:00

A Florida mother was asked by a teacher and principal to cease breastfeeding at her daughter's elementary school when she came to eat lunch with her. At first, the teacher and principal said it was against the law to breastfeed on school grounds which was completely false. Upon learning that the law was on the mother's side, they said they didn't feel it was appropriate to do in front of the other children.

This may be hard to swallow, but I agree with the school officials and I'll tell you why. Some parents may not want their child seeing another woman breastfeed (it's their right to feel that way), although breastfeeding is perfectly normal and little children could care less about seeing another woman's breast. But, I think it was the obligation of this mother to take into consideration the thoughts and feelings other parents before breastfeeding at her daughter's school. I think it's common courtesy.

It's almost like if you're a room-mother for a day and you bring cookies for snack. Some parents may not want their child snacking on cookies, so you don't really have the right to impose your own believes on another parent's child.

What do you think? Was the mother correct to breastfeed at her daughter's school or did she go too far?

When Breastfeeding Costs Too Much

2008-02-15T09:36:00.006-05:00

Here's an interesting story about breastfeeding out of Los Angeles today.

The General Manager of the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power (DWP), H. David Nahai, wants to continue providing pregnancy and lactation services to DWP employees citing these services have "resulted in an overall 27 percent reduction in absenteeism, and a 36 percent reduction in health-care claims". The program has been in place since 1988 and costs $50,000 annually.

But, a DWP board member, Nick Patsaouras, says spending $50,000 a year on pregnancy and lactation services is "absurd". "At a time when we're asking ratepayers to increase the rates, we're going for lactation."

He even said, "We're in the business of producing water and electricity, not in the social-service business."

Can you imagine being a woman working for this guy? He just doesn't have a clue! Thank goodness for men who do.

You Have to Read This Mom's Story

2008-02-14T09:15:00.005-05:00

My apologies for being away for a few days. I am hard at work helping to launch a beta release of a web site for moms. More about that in the coming weeks, especially since we'll be accepting a lot of mom submissions.

I read this article today and it really warmed my heart. Despite this mom's fear of losing her daughter to a heart abmormality, all she could do was think about breastfeeding her little girl. Such a special story. You should check it out.

New Discovery: Breast Milk Contains Stem Cells

2008-02-11T06:45:00.000-05:00

Dr. Marc Cregan, an Australian scientist, has recently discovered breast milk contains stem cells. He presented his research in January at the International Conference of the Society for Research on Human Milk and Lactation in Perth.

When Cregan and his team cultured cells from breast milk they found the stem cell marker, nestin. Cregan claims nestin can be "reprogrammed" to form many types of human tissue.

"We have shown these cells have all the physical characteristics of stem cells. What we will do next is to see if they behave like stem cells," he says.

Wouldn't this be a huge breakthrough; where much-needed research could be accomplished on the backs of mothers? I think this would spark a brand-new appreciation for breastfeeding, don't you?

Would you donate your milk to stem cell research?

Breastfeeding Saves Babies During Natural Disasters

2008-02-08T05:44:00.001-05:00

We've all heard about the horrible deadly hurricane that ripped through southern states on Tuesday night. While reading the news this morning I came across an article giving victims safety advice about how to keep their food and water safe during the aftermath of the storm.

Take a look at this feeding advice for mothers of infants.

For breastfeeding infants: Breastfed infants should continue breastfeeding.

For infant feeding infants: Use ready-to-feed formula if possible. If using ready-to-feed formula is not possible, it is best to use bottled water to prepare powdered or concentrated formula. If bottled water is not available, use boiled water. Use treated water to prepare formula only if you do not have bottled or boiled water. If you prepare formula with boiled water, let the formula cool sufficiently before giving it to an infant. Clean feeding bottles and nipples with bottled, boiled or treated water before each use. Wash your hands before preparing formula and before feeding an infant. You can use alcohol-based hand sanitizer for washing your hands if the water supply is limited.

If this isn't a clear indication why breastfeeding is best I don't know what is.

Even during Hurricane Katrina mothers couldn't feed their babies. They didn't have formula, clean water, or even a way to boil water. We never know when a natural disaster will hit so it's always best to be prepared because babies' health can be maintained if they are breastfed. I know. Well all know this, but there are tons of mothers who don't think that far in advance. It's too late to get that revelation when the hurricane or tornado hits and the damage is already done.

You Can't Win for Losing

2008-02-07T07:13:00.000-05:00

I'm sure you've heard the age-old biblical saying: There's nothing new under the sun. And, you know what? There really isn't anything new except maybe iPods, cloned meat, and Obama.

This morning, I was reading breastfeeding news on Google and happened to look in the archived abstracts from newspaper articles written decades ago and, lo and behold, the same breastfeeding wars that are going on now were, yes, you guessed it, going on over thirty years ago!

Take a look at some of these NY Times and TIME magazine headlines:

300,000 Cans of Infant Formula Are Recalled Over Fear of Illness | November 10, 1979

Nestle Seeking Market Balance; Increased Sales In Third World Pose Problems Nestle Seeking Market Balance Battle With Boycott | March 27, 1980
Developing Areas Get Baby-Feeding Formula | July 27, 1969
Study Reports That Breast Feeding Is Declining; Research Indicates a Sharp Rise in 'Lactation Failure' | November 30, 1967
Breast Feeding Linked to Low Cancer Rate | April 17 1969

The breastfeeding vs. infant feeding debate does not seem to be waning at all. And in the meantime I'm stuck blogging in this murky back and forth where neither side will abate.

What am I doing with this blog? Regurgitating trite story lines?

Breastfeeding at Work

2008-02-06T06:45:00.000-05:00

Another historic photograph for those who love them. I decided to go a-huntin' in the Library of Congress this morning. As I've mentioned before, it's becoming increasingly difficult to find breastfeeding photos; I think I've tapped them all out sadly. I have to actually take a trip to the Library of Congress to find more. Actually, I'm sure there are still some breastfeeding photos online, it just takes a lot of digging to unearth them.

Here is a woman who worked at home and nursed her baby at the same time (click to view larger image). The caption reads: 4:30 P.M. Mrs. Annie De Maritius, 46 Laight St., front. Nursing a dirty baby while she picks nuts. Was suffering with a sore throat. Rosie, 3 yrs. old hanging around. Conevieve, 6 yrs. old. Tessie, 6 yrs. old picks too. Make $1.50 to $2.00 a week. Husband on railroad works sometimes. Location: [New York, New York (State)]

I don't know the date for this photo. I presume it's very early 1990s. I found it was in a batch with other photographs of child laborers.

Observation: Even though the photographer was a man and a stranger this mother didn't feel the need to hide her breasts at all. Good for her.

LOT 7481, no. 2703[P&P]

A Little Intervention Goes A Long Way

2008-02-04T09:07:00.000-05:00

Since writing this blog I have learned quite a bit about New York City Mayor Bloomberg. I really like him! As far as babies are concerned he has stopped the free formula giveaways in city-owned hospitals and now the city will be pumping another $22 million into the The Nurse Family Partnership (NFP) program.

The Nurse Family Partnership (NFP) program pairs seasoned nurses with low-income moms in Jamaica, Harlem, the South Bronx and parts of Brooklyn. The result: a marked decrease in infant mortality rates in these areas.

I like leaders who care about mothers, children and families.

More About Mommy Makeovers

There are more articles articles out today about mommy makeovers. Mothers who are not pleased with their after-baby body are getting their saggy parts lifted and their flabby parts tightened. I think it's a sad message these makeovers are sending to mothers, that somehow natural motherhood is a curse and all memory of childbirth and breastfeeding should be erased from all memory.

The Chicago Tribune mentioned this site today, amommymakeover.com. When I checked out the site's photo galleries and read some of the brief stories about the moms, I was startled by how many women wanted perkier breasts to counter the breastfeeding effect, or who wanted bigger breasts like they had during pregnancy, and who wanted to get rid of all their flabby, stretchy skin from childbirth.

I just think it's a shame how women are always told to change and that we cannot be happy about who we are or how we look.

Sampling the Goods: Parents Who Drink Breast Milk

2008-02-01T05:33:00.001-05:00

There's always something abuzz on the Net about breastfeeding. Today, it's moms who drink their own breast milk or nonchalantly squirt it in their husband's coffee before he bursts out the door for work.

One of the latest questions thrown out on a Reuters' blog asks: Lactuccino anyone? And a dad comically expresses his disgust for other men who sample their wife's breast milk calling it "gross".

When I was breastfeeding I definitely tasted my breast milk. We all have, I'm sure. But actually drinking it in large quantities...not for me!

It does seem rather odd to drink one's own breast milk or even share it with other adults, doesn't it? One thing is for sure, though: It's not hurting anyone, it's free, and it's not going to kill you, so here's another example of "to each his/her own."

What do you think: Gross or completely acceptable?