I sent this today in reply to the previously mentioned letter to "Annie's
Mailbox" about breastfeeding with an exposed breast at an all female shower.

Dear Kathy and Marcy,

I read your column daily and am writing in reference to today's column
(October 16, 2003) regarding the baby shower where the women with babies
exposed their breast while breastfeeding their babies.  Your reply really
missed the boat by saying "we're all for nursing babies, but it is rude to
make one's guest uncomfortable."

Anybody with a pulse who can read has heard that "breast is best." It makes
me very uncomfortable to see a baby being given a bottle - as I can't help
but think that poor baby is being exposed to significantly higher risk of
developing a long list of illnesses and having a lower IQ (all of this is
well researched and documented).

Our breastfeeding rates in the US are shockingly low and part of the reason
lies in the letter you printed and your response.  Remember, women used to
not go out in public when they were pregnant because it was evidence that
they had sex and was considered unseemly.  Breastfeeding is normal, but
sadly is not seen as the norm.

When someone is uncomfortable watching a woman breastfeed it is because they
are unable to see the breast as a means of nourishing a baby as opposed to a
sexual part of the woman's body.  It is only by seeing many women breastfeed
will it become the norm.  I applaud those women for proudly feeding their
babies the way mother nature intended, and I say shame on you and shame on
the author of the letter for making it seem like they were doing anything
improper or inconsiderate or rude.

Andrea Tran RN, IBCLC
Erie, Colorado

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