What in god's name do I have to say that anyone else would be interested in reading? This is a rather masturbatory form of media, doncha think? Well. If nothing else, it'll be an outlet for my ranting that doesn't involve victimizing the Hub, who's developed a duck-and-cover reflex every time he hears one of my trigger points (and there are many). Instead, I'll be victimizing the faceless public.
Today's rant (and I'm sure it'll be recurring):
People who behave as if the difference between breastfeeding and formula were akin to Coke vs. Pepsi.
I am aware that there are women (between 1 and 3 percent, depending on whose stats you like) who are unable to breastfeed. Thank all the gods that there is formula for those babies! However, "feeling icky" or "not wanting to be an animal" doesn't constitute "unable". I am not making this up, these are reasons I have been given by ostensibly intelligent women who have access to all the information about the disadvantages of artificial baby milk. It took every fiber of self control that I possess (and it's not much) to refrain from suggesting a basic biology course to the Anti-Animal chick. As to being uncomfortable with the idea of a critter using you as a dairy bar, there's a long list of stuff I do that makes me feel uncomfortable. SUCK IT UP, SISTER. I don't like changing diapers. Paying taxes. Getting a pap smear. I do it, because I'm a grownup and it's necessary for the well-being of myself and/or others. If you are so uncomfortable that you can't tolerate the idea of breastfeeding, you need to seek therapy. (I'm not being snotty, I really believe that would indicate some sort of abuse or dysfunction that would need to be treated.)
I think what irritates me the most about these women is that they make it that much more difficult for the 1 to 3 percent who really, truly can't do it, no matter how good the support is, no matter how many things they try, no matter how much they want to. They cheapen the effort that 1 to 3 percent have made, and they make it easy for breastfeeding advocates to be cynical and disbelieving.
An aside: I was chatting with an online friend who's not from this country, and used the term "breastfeeding advocate". She was both amused and horrified, as if there were a need for a "breathing advocate" or a "wipe your ass after you pee" advocate. She couldn't understand why something so obvious needed promoting. I don't understand it myself.
Pamela
