Breastfeeding and the Sexual Objectification of Women

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Breastfeeding and the Sexual Objectification of Women

The sexual objectification of women is detrimental not only to women, but also to their children and even the environment. This objectification may prevent women from breastfeeding.

Breastfeeding is extremely beneficial to both mother and baby and the environment as well. Breastfed children are less likely to have ear infections, allergies, vomiting, pneumonia, urinary tract infections, chronic digestive disease, insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus, bacterial meningitis, research also indicates that breastfeeding may help protect against Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS), women who were breastfed as infants have a lower rate of breast cancer, and breastfeeding helps promote bonding between mother and child. Breastfeeding has also been related to possible enhancement of babies' cognitive development. It's good for the mother because it burns more calories; it increases levels of oxytocin, resulting in less postpartum bleeding; it builds bone strength; it helps the uterus return to its regular size more quickly; and it reduces the risk of ovarian and breast cancer. The environment benefits because whereas there is waste generated from formula packaging and bottle inserts, there is no such waste with breastfeeding. There's also the use of water and fuel to heat the bottles as well. (Dermer and Montgomery). Businesses benefit when their workers breastfeed as well. Aetna Inc. found that parents of breastfed babies missed fewer workdays and saved a total of $2,500 per newborn in the first year alone. CIGNA established a program for nursing mothers. They found that that saved them $240,000 a year in health care and $60,000 in reduced absenteeism. (Redbook, ...

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...Gift of Extended Breatfeeding." Nurturing Magazine.

Corbin, Michael. "The Milk Train Doesn't Stop Here Anymore. House Upholds Limits on Public Nursing". Baltimore City Paper Online. March 21 - March 27, 2001

Davis, Marie. "Breastfeeding." http://getattached.com/winter99/breastfeeding.htm1 1999

Dermer, Alice, and Anne Montgomery. Breastfeeding: Good For Babies, Mothers, And The Planet.

Dermer, Alice. "If Breastfeeding is So Good, Why Aren't More Women Doing It?" Medical Reporter.

Dettwyler, Katherine A. "Breasts" October 30, 1995.

La Leche League. "Toddler Tips: Criticism from Relatives" 2000.

Leonard, Sue. "Jealous men banish breastfeeding" The Times November 12, 2000.

McKenna, Kate. "Moms at Work;: The New Discrimination" Redbook January 2001. 100-104

Stork.net. Breastfeeding Cubby: "Breastfeeding in Public"

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