Are You Kidding Me?
by Kate Kahn - 12th November 2007
I read a column the other day that blew my mind, not for what the columnist wrote, but because of a quote she used in her piece. The column appeared in the Winnipeg Free Press in Canada. The writer was expressing outrage at the notion that you're a bad mother if you don't breastfeed. In her column she quoted Laurie Gelman, co-host of The Mom Show on Slice network. The show focuses on parenting tips and family life. Apparently, a few months ago on the show, Gelman had the nerve to say "If you don't breastfeed, you shouldn't have a child." That's right. You read it correctly. Seems beyond incredible.
Not only do I think it's irresponsible of someone in her position to spout such an ignorant message, but I'd like to ask her what she'd say to mothers who can't breastfeed due to illness. Or perhaps she'd like to talk to someone who was abused and is self-conscious about her breasts. Or maybe she'd like to talk to someone who tried and tried and tried but just couldn't breastfeed.
Deciding not to breastfeed is hardly a waterboarding offense although some people seem to think it is. In a perfect world we'd all breastfeed. But we don't all live in a perfect world. Maybe Gelman does. But she needs to think before she speaks. And if she really means what she said then she's doing a disservice to motherhood and to parenting.
Comments
Past Entries
This Week's
Question
Sign the Petition
Do moms know best? We believe they do, but the government may not..
Your freedom to choose between breast and bottle-feeding could be in jeopardy.
