*Breastfeeding is supposed to be a natural next step after a child comes into the world.
It’s natural right?
Well, black women are and have been getting major heat over this decision for years.
It appears that within the last 30 years, black women have not been representing well in this area. And not only is there immense criticism, but some of the questions being, insensitively, asked are:
”Are they putting their careers before the baby thing?”
”Are they not physically able to produce the milk that breastfeeding requires?” (more…)
How soon they forget?
It was usually slaves breastfeeding all of the master’s children.
Anyway, we make less money and many of us are the head of one-parent households so, that means a lot of sistas don’t have the time and/or energy that is required to breast feed.
Mine your business and get over it!
It’s really starting to piss me off that people think they can dictate everything that everyone else does. I have no problem with those of you who bottle feed. You are working with what you’ve got and there ain’t nothing wrong with that. As long as your kids are fed, clean, clothed and well-cared for, you’re alright with me!
Of the Black mothers that I know only the ones that were married breast feed their children. It did not matter if they worked outside the home or not. These women also pumped and stored their milk for use in bottles. They always seem very concerned with making sure to build the immune system and protecting the brain development of their child.
The non breast feeders that I know are all single mothers and some work and some don’t. They either say that it hurts too much and give up–while still in the hospital–or declare it a “nasty” practice and don’t bother to try. Then they make jokes about breast feeding women and their saggy breast and their inability to get/keep a man.
While they claim they are joking I believe that is their true feelings on the subject. Their need to keep the “girls” perky for the knuckle heads is greater than the need to provide the best for their child. Breast feeding also seems to be a hindrance to getting back out into game of dating and hanging out.
The idea of black women as the symbol of mother/goddess is starting to become an illusion. I just feel that more and more black women see kids as a means to an end rather than precious gifts from God that need to be cared for and nurtured.
I am a black woman and I am surrounded by black women and this is what I am seeing. Sad, sad.