In recent months, we have heard a number of stories about moms who were humiliated for doing something that, a few decades ago, was a more widely-accepted practice. Yes, we’re talking about breastfeeding. How many breastfeeding moms have told you about their humiliating memories of being reprimanded or sent to the comfort room because they were nursing their babies in a public establishment?
To show their support and help empower these moms, certain restaurants have even announced themselves to be a breastfeeding-friendly place, where moms don’t have to be afraid of being sent away or chastised for feeding their babies.
There seems to be a popular discontent about women who nurse in public, driven perhaps by breast exposure which others perceive to be immodest or indecent. The same is true, it seems, for popular media.
In the ‘70s and ‘80s, TV wasn’t averse at all to breastfeeding. In fact, even children’s program Sesame Street encouraged and promoted the act of breastfeeding, by having nursing moms guest on the show and explain why it is important, as shown in these videos:
Sesame Street – Buffy Nurses Cody
Sesame Street – Maria breastfeeds
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neryssa 4 months ago
Loved this article! It only shows that even way back, breastfeeding is being advocated by programs such as Sesame Street. it's just sad that advertisements on formula milk is much stronger than that of breastfeeding. I hope other "kids" program especially in the Philippines can also do the same. in this way, they can help the moms and their families be more aware, welcoming and appreciative of the benefits that breastfeeding can offer to their children and to them too. -
Guest
4
months ago
Thank you for featuring this article. Indeed, breastfeeding has been overshadowed by the strong presence of aggressive advertising on formula milk. I hope popular media including such programs as Sesame Street would bring back the status of breastfeeding as the natural way of feeding our babies whether in the privacy of our homes or in public.
