Comments on: A Conversation About Breastfeeding in Mongolia and Jack Newman

By: Feminism and Equality For Breastfeeding Women | Breastfeeding Moms Unite

Feminism and Equality For Breastfeeding Women | Breastfeeding Moms Unite — Wed, 26 Aug 2009 15:17:14 +0000

[...] education, they usually are not discriminated against for their God-given right to breastfeed. Take Mongolia for [...]

By: Sally Jackson

Sally Jackson — Fri, 14 Aug 2009 13:33:01 +0000

I loved that Mongolian article, and I love that you wrote about it. It was a fun read and made me laugh out loud so many times.
Like always, though, I had to walk away from it feeling very sad for my American culture that is so far removed from this one.
I feel this deep longing in my heart to be a part of a culture where our natural motherly instincts are honored and supported.
Like the part where she’s breastfeeding in the taxi cab and the driver gives her the “thumbs up.” Wouldn’t that be awesome if everyone would get over themselves and their dumb opinions and give the “thumbs up” to breastfeeding????
Always an advocate,

Sally

By: Melodie

Melodie — Fri, 14 Aug 2009 04:13:13 +0000

@Mrs. Uzra Hashmi – I didn’t mean the differences in culture are funny. The author’s style of writing was funny and the vivid visual scenes she was able to create was funny. I don’t know if you read the article or not but she wrote it in a way that revealed that the people in the article she referred to were having a good time and having fun with their breastfeeding style.
Anyhow, I just wanted to clear that up – that I certainly wasn’t laughing at Mongolian culture. I think it is pretty wonderful that breastfeeding women in India and Mongolia breastfeed so openly and that it is so accepted. I wish our North American culture would lean a little more in the way of your direction. Thank you for your comment!

By: Mrs. Uzra Hashmi

Mrs. Uzra Hashmi — Thu, 13 Aug 2009 11:06:31 +0000

This is a fantastic and thought provoking article. The differences in culture need not be labelled as “funny” as people in other cultures (here Mangolia) are happily living with their diffrent mores.
I may share that in rural India and even in cities in some families breastfeeding of older children is not seen as something alarming. Actually nursing mothers are respected by society generally. Women here too frequently lift their children (who are still nursing) into their laps and offer a boob if they fear that they are hurt or seriously upset. It is considered a natural reaction that conveys “caring motherhood”. Similarly, in the presence of other women, mothers don’t feel shy to bare their breasts or feed children

By: Desiree Fawn

Desiree Fawn — Wed, 12 Aug 2009 03:45:59 +0000

Love this post — so informative!!

By: Melodie

Melodie — Wed, 12 Aug 2009 03:28:18 +0000

Well said Amber. I concur!

By: Amber

Amber — Wed, 12 Aug 2009 03:24:53 +0000

I have had that copy of Mothering on my coffee table for weeks and haven’t gotten around to reading it. Clearly I need to, and quickly.

I think that if we had a true breastfeeding culture we wouldn’t need groups like La Leche League. If everyone could count on getting good information from their family, the medical establishment, and so forth we wouldn’t need breastfeeding support groups. Until that day, though, I’m glad we have people and organizations working to support breastfeeding in our culture.