Breastfeeding is Beautiful.
It is the ultimate expression of femininity and being a woman. It is a magnificent, selfless act of love that nourishes one’s newborn with perfect physical nourishment and strong emotional bonds that will last a lifetime.
You can imagine my surprise when I learned about a couple of military Moms who caught some serious flack when tasteful, professional photos of themselves breastfeeding in uniform on an Air Force base began circulating online.
Washington Air National Guard spokesman Capt. Keith Kosik said that a formal military response to the photos which have gone viral since being posted at BreastfeedinginCombatBoots.com was necessary as they were a violation of regulations against using the uniform to promote a civilian cause.
I beg your pardon, Captain, but breastfeeding is not a civilian “cause”. It is the simple act of feeding your baby, something that has been performed by Mothers far longer than armies have roamed the earth in fact!
Would pictures of women feeding their babies with bottles while in uniform have gotten a “formal response” from the military if these photos had been posted online?
Ahem. I don’t think so!
What’s really surprising is that some breastfeeding Moms were also critical of the photos with one commentor on BreastfeedinginBoots.com posting the following:
“I would never nurse in uniform. I took my child to the bathroom or a private office when her nanny brought her to me …. Not because I was ashamed of nursing, nor of being a mother. All the guys knew I pumped. The military is not a civilian job. We go to combat and we make life or death decisions, and not just for ourselves but for those we lead. The same reason I would never nurse in uniform is the same reason I do not chew gum, or walk and talk on my cell phone, or even run into the store in my utility uniform. … We are warfighting professionals. Women before us have worked too hard to earn and retain the respect of their male peers. I don’t want my Marines to look at me any other way than as a Marine. When I am asking them to fly into combat with me and do a dangerous mission, I do not want them to have the mental image of a babe at my breast. I want them to only see me as a Marine. Let’s be a realistic folks. We give up many freedoms being in the military…Breastfeeding in front of my fellow Marines was one of them.”
With all due respect, but would you like to eat in the bathroom?
Nursing is not akin to going to the bathroom and therefore should not be relegated to this type of atmosphere where airborne germs and other potential threats to a nursing baby may abound.
We clearly have a long way to go in this country when it comes to understanding the role of Mom as both protector and nurturer.
A Mom nursing in uniform is a proud display of both in action and the military would be well advised to support this activity rather than reprimanding it.
What do you think? Should a Mom be able to breastfeed anywhere at any time even when on duty keeping our country safe?
Sarah, The Healthy Home Economist
Sources: Military Mom Proud of Breastfeeding in Uniform Despite Criticism
Breastfeeding Moms in Uniform Photos Were out of Line: Military
I am a woman in the military and while I do not have children, I do have plenty of friends who are also in the military who breastfeed, but with a bit more decorum. This controversy is all about this activity while in uniform. Sorry but it makes me uncomfortable to see her breasts while in uniform because this uniform is more than a personal job, but also represents the military as a whole. As someone mentioned above, when we join the military we have to adhere to a code of conduct, and that includes the wear and appearance of the uniform. We cannot wear the uniform to promote any cause, and this obviously was as they were posing as part of the National Breastfeeding Awareness Month. Bottom line, by wearing the uniform as part of this campaign, they are indirectly officially linking the military with the campaign too, even though this is a personal decision by them.
I don’t know the specifics of this situation but when joining the military there are certain cods of conduct that you agree to. If you can’t adhere to them then you should reconsider joining. However on the other hand there should be reasonable accommodations for this specific, unique, situation. Breastfeeding is something to be celebrated and encouraged.
These pictures are beautiful! Brought tears to my eyes 🙂
While I support breastfeeding as the only natural way to do it, the activity can be performed tactfully and with discretion. It is immaterial what you think about breastfeeding. These two young U.S. Air National Guard Sergeants willfully violated the Uniformed Code of Military Justice on several counts and should be charged with at least an Article 15.
I’m not surprised at all. Remember this is the same military mentality that send mothers away to war at 6 weeks postpartum to leave their babies with family. Traumatic for the baby? You bet! Attachment issues- most likely.
You mean six months? The Air Force was the shortest at four months, but recently they too have gone to six months. Where did you get six weeks??
Maternity leave is six weeks. Your name goes on the deployment list after 6 months,
Maybe it’s because the one on the left looks obscene..
Sorry, but the one on the left looks obscene; not like a breastfeeding mom.
The other problem is that mens army clothes and breastfeeding kind of, clash, if you know what I mean!
how can it “not [look] like a breastfeeding mom” when it IS a breastfeeding mom. Uniform aside… who are the breastfeeding police that say that is the wrong way to feed a baby, let alone TWO babies?
I breastfed both of my children and have done it in public. However, I do think moms need to be aware that there are freaks, or perverts or who knows out there…some people just dont feel comfortable with someones boobs hanging out…and regardless of whether or not you’re breastfeeding…they are still boobs. If you are going to breastfeed in public I just think the boobs should be covered. Even when we would have company over I would feed my kids but stay covered. I think theres a fine line there. You cant just have your boobs hanging out no matter how natural it is. I think the girl on the right looks fine. Noone bash me please just my opinion 🙂
Hahaha, love the request not to be bashed 🙂
I always covered up when breastfeeding – I often got comments as I pulled the little dude out that they were surprised to see a baby there! I personally feel uncomfortable showing too much of myself in public, which I think is because I lived in the Middle East for 5 years and anyone showing skin was leered at.
I also ended up breastfeeding him in the car after he reached about 12 months (feed until 21 months). He’s really big for his age and even at 12 months I was receiving funny looks from people that made me feel self-conscious. It’s bad that I felt the judgemental stares, but good that I continued anyway and was able to find a place that worked for me in public.
Now that we’re planning number two I guess I’ve got all that to look forward too again! 😉
I agree with Alexis. As a mom of 3 sons, I think modesty is key. I would not want my sons to see exposed breasts, like the lady on the left…that is a little much. Breastfeeding can be done with showing that much boob. Just my thoughts…..
*without* 🙂
There is no regulation against women nursing in uniform. Just putting that out there. And I know the military order is supposed to be branch, unit, family, but when you become a mother, that shit gets thrown out the window whether you want it to or not. From the moment that baby takes its first breath, he or she is your MOST important priority. Not your job, not your government, not your country. Your child and its health. That is what matters.
I breastfed my babies everywhere and anywhere I needed, luckily all I got was support and kind looks from people. 🙂 I just put myself right out there- middle of the mall, airplane. Wherever! This is the childs source of nourishment! Nobody is telling me not to feed my baby when she needs it. And NO I am not going to go hide somewhere where nobody can see me, Moms deserve comfort when breastfeeding!