What is breastfeeding?  A simple question but the answers we have seen on
Lactnet are wide-ranging.  Is it sex?  Not sex. Yes, sex.   Is it just
something we do?  Not just something we do.  Yes, something we do.
Breastfeeding as everything special and breastfeeding as nothing special.

I applaud Jean for her candor on the subject.  She is opening the door to
allow some light on the subject.  Fear keeps this door closed most of the
time.  Breastfeeding is about our sexuality as women.  We live in a culture
that is dominated by the male perspective of sexuality.  That viewpoint
diminishes and dismisses the full range of female biology.  In fact, I think
that partly, it is male envy and fear of  female biology that is the driving
force behind the need to clone babies and imitate and improve human milk.
For this reason alone, we need to open the door and explore these issues.

I applaud Kathy for her perspective.  After all, breastfeeding is what women
do.  It is an observational, anthropological view of breastfeeding.  It
grounds us in the practical nature of breastfeeding.  Women  need to know
that breastfeeding is just a part of life, like breathing..

I applaud Gonneke for her comments.  Breastfeeding encompasses a variety of
feelings and emotions, like any other physical act.

Breastfeeding encompasses so much and it creates a variety of feelings,
thoughts, and concerns.  Every woman will view breastfeeding in her own way.
Some women will view breastfeeding as mostly pain.  Some women may view
breastfeeding as mostly pleasure.  Some women may view breastfeeding as a
duty.  While some women will view breastfeeding as a lifestyle.  Some may
view breastfeeding as just simply part of life.  They all are right in their
views.  Breastfeeding is all those things and more.  If we dismiss other
views without reflection and discussion, we diminish our ability to counsel
the wide variety of people we will meet in our practices.
Valerie W. McClain, IBCLC






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