Jan 20 2008
How would anyone see breastfeeding video/photos as inappropriate?
Thought breastfeeding is clinically proven to be the best for babies, and is supported by WHO, we – breastfeeding moms are still often scrutinized in public for this natural act.
It is understood when this happened in community that is not aware of breastfeeding benefits, in community that is lacking education. What is really unacceptable is when this happens in the leading media for information – the web, and by the big players who dominate top channels for communications.
Few months ago, Facebook and MySpace banned pictures of women breastfeeding their babies. Last month, YouTube banned the breastfeeding video developed by League of Maternal Justice, which was intended to help increase the awareness and to promote breastfeeding.
The Great Breast Fest Montage from mothergoosemouse on Vimeo.
Though YouTube has later responded and apologized for the ‘error’, there are a few things left for debate and question.
1. Why they banned it in the first place, instead of flag it as ‘sexually explicit’, which viewers must enter their birthdate to be able to view the video.
2. Why those pictures more revealing, exposing more skin of women, more sexual connotations, get to stay in the network? Why they didn’t ban these videos? Bear in mind that the video that YouTube removed in error, only consists of still pictures of various women breastfeeding their babies and toddlers!
3. Why something so good and beneficial always get scrutinized?
Until now, I believe we haven’t heard of any apologies or response from Facebook and MySpace.
Remember some time ago, a breastfeeding mom got kicked off from her flight because she breastfed her baby?
Another example happens here in Malaysia. A friend of mine, did her shopping with her baby and husband. Her husband walked away to get something, and the baby chose that moment to cry – wanted to be fed. My friend didn’t have the choice, as she couldn’t just go to the nursing room without informing the husband. She sat down nearby and fed the baby, covering her breast and the baby with a scarf.
Guess what? A Malay lady walked to her, curiously checked out front and back, and then told her: “Awak tak malu ke, menyusu di sini?” (Don’t you feel shameful to breastfeed here?)
My friend just nodded nervously, and when the husband got back to her, she couldn’t help but cried. That was her first baby, first experience in public breastfeeding. It could easily make her give up! Of course, she is not an expert in this already, and she is actively promoting breastfeeding now!
It is indeed very sad, being scritinized for something so sacred and so natural. It is worst when it comes from the big boys in the front end of communications!
i think i would never asked myself what you are asking on the title
bye
PS: nice blog
Hmm, this is a very debatable subject..
but i don’t think there’s anything wrong watching it.. it’s natural?
there should be more baby units anyway in malls etc.
TESCO had started the trend….
Best regards
Azrin @ http://www.kedai.tv
azrin: this is something we have been wanting. Though it is still lacking, but we do see the increasing number of nursing rooms. I heard that the new buildings/shopping malls must include nursing rooms in their floor plan, as part of the criteria for approval. Not sure how true it is though.