My letter to this human...'
Tis a bit long, but it says what I wanted to say...


Mr. Schram,
As a mother of 3 breastfed children and a Lactation Consultant in
Sacramento, California I have to say I am amazed at your ignorance.  As a
reporter I would think that you would have done more research on your topic.
But clearly, as evidenced by your ignorant and stereotypical comments, you
did none
First of all you stated that, and I quote:  " When some woman sitting next
to you pops it out and starts suckling little Johnny or Suzie, I think it
makes MOST people uncomfortable!"   So tell me - how do you KNOW that it
makes MOST people uncomfortable?  Have you gone to most of the people in the
USA and asked them?  I haven't seen or heard of you here in Sacramento
asking around, so I would guess that you haven't asked MOST of the people in
the USA.   Where is your research on your statement?  Back it up. I bet you
can't.
Then you state, and I quote: "But for guys, it is nigh on impossible to
switch from breasts as something sexual to breasts as take-out-food. "
Again, you generalize and lump ALL males into this group of yours making
them ALL sound as if they are ignorant sex-crazed idiots who can do nothing
but see the female breast as a sex-toy.  So again, I ask, have you asked all
the males in the USA if they are able to switch their mode of viewing
breasts as sexual vs. functional?  I seriously doubt it.  Not all males view
breasts as sexual objects designed to be their play-toys.  Not all males
view breasts as a sexual object.  Many males I have known over the many
years I breastfed my children had a healthy appreciation of the female body
(or breasts) as being multi-functional as well as pleasurable.  They were
amazed that their partners could not only grow a baby, but could also
continue to grow that baby after birth in both the physical act of feeding
and the emotional act of nurturing simply by breastfeeding.  They were
extremely supportive and respectful of the role that a woman plays in
respect to infants.  I have also had many single male friends who also
shared that respect.
Next you state, and I quote:  "But that doesn't mean new moms should feel
encouraged to forget all about modesty, while expecting everyone around them
to just go with the flow."   Again, I feel you are placing an unfair
generalization on women - one that really shows your ignorance about new
mothers and women in general.  It is NOT about encouraging new moms to
forget about modesty - it is about encouraging them to feel comfortable
giving their baby a gift ONLY they can give - breastfeeding.  The women I
work with here in Sacramento, and many around the country strive to be
modest while nursing in public.  They strive for modesty mainly for their
comfort but also for others comfort as well.  It is the unusual woman who
"pops it out for all to see".  Sometimes that happens, but with my
clientele, it is not the norm, nor is it the preference.  The preference for
the woman I work with is to learn how to get ready to nurse discreetly and
quickly, and then to get baby on the breast quickly and discreetly.  ALL new
mothers should be encouraged to nurse their babies anywhere they want to at
any time the baby is hungry.  An infant has the RIGHT to receive the best
nutrition s/he can receive - that would be from his/her mother.  Those who
say the infant should suffer so that other humans don't have to see the baby
breastfeed need to so some serious research and re-education on what
breastfeeding (and breastmilk) are all about.  Breastfeeding is NOT a
lifestyle choice, Mr. Schram - it is a HEALTH ISSUE.  
Finally you state, and I quote:  "It's natural.    Well, so is urinating,
but most folks don't up and pee in a glass jar in the middle of the mall. " 
For goodness sake - can any statement be more ridiculous?  It is only the
ignorant and uneducated, in my opinion, who compares breastfeeding, a
life-giving, nutritional, nurturing gift that is the gold standard for
infant health and mother's health, to urinating, a simple method of
eliminating waste products from the body.  

Mr. Schram, if you wanted to show yourself to be ignorant and uneducated
about what breastfeeding is all about - you did a great job.  The comment of
the female reporter at the end really did hit the nail on the head:  "What
an Idiot."

Janet Simpson, IBCLC

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