Breastfeeding: A Site Of Objectification? Trending

Highlights

Are public spaces accessible to breastfeeding mothers?

A lactating mother felt ‘uncomfortable’ breastfeeding her child in public.

Uncomfortable, embarrassed, vulnerable! But why is it a site of objectification?

It is rare to find nursing rooms in public spaces where a woman can breastfeed.

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“Next station is Rajiv Chowk. Change here for the blue line. Doors will open on the right. Please mind the gap.”

It was during one of my morning metro rides. As soon as the door of the metro closed, a woman came running from the general coach. She seemed in a hurry. But more than her swing of motion toward the moving train, what caught everyone’s attention was her little baby draped in her dupatta crying his throat out.

She came to the women’s coach and sat next to me. And started breastfeeding her child instantaneously. The crying voice ceased just seconds after. Well, she answered the unasked questions pointed to her with many women gazing at her. She said, “I felt uncomfortable there” and smiled.

Breastfeeding In Public Is Uncomfortable

She felt uncomfortable about doing nothing more than feeding her baby.

Uncomfortable, embarrassed, vulnerable! Breastfeeding in public is a barrier to breastfeeding in general. But why is it a site of objectification? How society perceives the act of breastfeeding is a question of concern.

The Infant and Young Child Feeding Guidelines 2016 (IYCFG, drafted by the Indian Academy of Pediatrics (Indian Pediatrics 2016) states:

“Nursing in Public (NIP): Mothers should feel comfortable to nurse in public. All efforts should be taken to remove hurdles impeding breastfeeding in public places. Special areas/rooms shall be identified/ constructed or established in places like bus stands, railway stations, airports, etc.”

Public places are immensely crowded, with people pushing each other, being stared at, and harassed. This ordeal doesn’t have much comfort to offer. In addition, it is rare to find nursing rooms in public spaces where a woman can breastfeed her child without the stares of objectification.

From a woman being mocked by a fellow employee in Kolkata for breastfeeding her child in the office to a magazine receiving flak for featuring a model posing like she was breastfeeding – it is unfortunate and illogically unsettling how so many people still consider breastfeeding a stigma and view the process as mere sexualization, exclusive for gaze.

There are no laws in India that prohibit breastfeeding in public. However, the environment is not conducive to a breastfeeding mother either in a metro or at the workplace?

This raises concerns about the social conditioning and unavailability of proper infrastructure in public spaces, including malls, metro stations, railway stations, bus terminals, airports for breastfeeding mothers.

The World Health Organization recommends exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months. The WHO also states within its guidelines:

Men Stare, So Do Women

The scorn of society is not the sole reason for the barrier in breastfeeding in public spaces. Lack of hygiene, no facilities of nursing rooms are among the other reasons which make the environment far from encouraging to protect the right of a child to be breastfed irrespective of where they are.

Michelle Branch, an American singer, recently took to her social media after getting flak by another mother for breastfeeding in public. Branch wrote, “I am in shock that this kind of judgment was coming from a fellow mom!”

I just got shamed by another mother (who was holding her own young infant!) for nursing my 6 week old baby on a bench at a playground while my toddler was playing 🤯 She said I wasn’t “being modest” I am in shock that this kind of judgement was coming from a fellow mom!
— Michelle Branch (@michellebranch) March 15, 2022

Well, it is ironic that you’ll find a smoking room around different public spaces, but rarely you would find a nursing room to breastfeed a child.

The concerning thing is the fact, in 2022, women aren’t able to enjoy the freedom to breastfeed in peace. The possibility of being stared at, photographed, and harassed grips the basic fact of life.

According to the survey conducted by Mompresso.com, a user-generated platform for Moms, 93% of lactating mothers feel uncomfortable in public because of a lack of breastfeeding facilities.

No Space For Breastfeeding In Public

Shaili (name changed), a resident of Delhi, says, “I felt extremely uncomfortable breastfeeding in public during the first few months. I was directed to the washroom. We wouldn’t want to eat in a freaking public toilet, so why do many think it’s okay to tell a mother to breastfeed their child in a stinking toilet where they themselves wouldn’t eat?”

Pallavee, an IT professional with a leading firm in Gurugram, says, “I have breastfed my child in public parks, toilets, malls, restaurants, and trains. I was nervous when I had to nurse in public, surrounded by glares. I will never understand why breastfeeding in public is shamed upon. There are no places where I can breastfeed peacefully. I gotta feed my baby.”

“I do not attract anyone’s gaze while I breastfeed my child,” said one respondent.

As of now, there is no law in the country which mandates public spaces to have lactation rooms. If metro stations had a nursing room, we, as a society, normalize breastfeeding and not stare when a woman breast-feeds. It could have enabled that lady on the train and many more like her to take care of her infant without panicking and rushing to avoid the stares of objectification.

We need society and laws to build a more empowering and accessible environment for lactating mothers and build necessary infrastructure which is clean and safe for a mother to breastfeed their child.

Let’s Support Nursing Mothers!

Larissa Waters, an Australian MP, made international headlines in 2017 when she breastfed her 14-week-old baby while addressing the nation’s parliament. Her gesture is a clear representation of how rarely there have been talks about breastfeeding in public.

Larissa Waters, Australian senator, breastfeeding her baby, while addressing the Parliament.
*_{Source: YouTube screengrab}*

Babies need to be fed. Let’s be more empathetic and make it better for them without making them feel unnerved. The feeling of humankind should incite compassion and not oppose or associate accusations of indecency with breastfeeding.

Instead of misogynistic attempts to shame the natural act of feeding babies, let’s ensure to normalize the gaze with which the society views the act of breastfeeding and work on providing well maintained accessible for all spaces, free from intrusion at workplaces, malls, metro stations, railway stations and other public spaces for women to nurse their children without the fear of public glare.

Let’s ensure no lactating mother gets directed towards the toilet to feed their babies. Let’s not objectify a mother’s choice – the next time!

Also Read: Placenta: The Life Supporting Organ

Is good thyroid health and good menstrual health related?

Thyroid health is an important part of overall health. When the thyroid gland is not working properly, it can lead to menstrual irregularities and other fertility issues. Thyroxine (T4) and Triiodothyronine (T3) are hormones that regulate the metabolism, as well as the menstrual cycle. The thyroid also produces these hormones, so it needs to be healthy for proper levels to be maintained. Thyroid function is a key component in regulating good menstrual health, and thyroid health are crucial for good reproductive health. Thyroid problems can lead to menstrual disorders such as amenorrhea, irregular periods, and ovarian cysts. Inadequate thyroid hormone may also result in early miscarriage or infertility. Maternal thyroid problems can also cause problems in the baby. When the mother is deficient in the thyroid, her baby may be born with a syndrome called congenital hypothyroidism. This is a group of symptoms that can include slowed growth, poor mental function, heart problems, and decreased life expectancy.

How do you know if your thyroid is out of balance?

There are many signs that will help you determine if you have a thyroid problem. Some of the more common symptoms include weight loss, palpitations (rapid heartbeat), cold hands and feet, unexplained fatigue, and a feeling that you are not getting enough sleep at night. In addition, when people have a thyroid disorder they can feel more tired and older than their age. If you have a thyroid problem, you need to see your doctor get the diagnosis, treatment, and follow-up care. The best way to do this is to make an appointment with your primary care doctor.

What are the signs of thyroid disease in women?

Thyroid disorders are some of the most commonly treated conditions in women. The thyroid gland is the size of a lima bean and sits at the base of the neck, below Adam’s apple. It controls how fast or slow your heart beats, how quickly your mind thinks, and how well you move. The thyroid gland creates thyroxine, which helps release the body’s energy. If your thyroid doesn’t produce enough of this hormone, you may have symptoms of slow metabolism, hair loss, weight gain, and mood swings. Women are more likely to be diagnosed with hypothyroidism than men because they are often more sensitive to low levels of thyroxine. When the thyroid hormone iodine is deficient, thyroxine levels fall. Problems with the thyroid can happen for a number of reasons including Inadequate intake of iodine, pregnancy, or taking medication that interferes with thyroid function.

How can you know if you have a thyroid disorder?

If you have a thyroid disorder, you may notice that your menstrual cycle is irregular. Some women may experience heavy menstruation with clots and pain, while others will experience infrequent periods, prolonged bleeding, or an increase in bloating. If you are on birth control pills or other medication that affects the menstrual cycle or if you are pregnant, it is also possible that your period could be irregular. The most common way to detect thyroid issues is to take your TSH (Thyroid Stimulating Hormone) blood test. If the thyroid gland isn’t producing enough of this hormone, your levels will be low on this test. An abnormally high level of thyroid hormone can cause an increased risk of heart problems, diabetes, and cancer.

How to get diagnosed with hyperthyroidism?

Hyperthyroidism is a condition characterized by an abnormally rapid heartbeat, increased nervousness, and rapid weight loss. It’s important to note that hyperthyroidism can also cause menstrual irregularities. This means that it is even more important for those who have been diagnosed with this condition to make sure they are taking care of their thyroid health. If you’re experiencing any of the symptoms of hyperthyroidism, it’s important to get diagnosed right away. You can ask your healthcare provider for a simple blood test that will determine if the levels of thyroid hormones in your body are too high. If they are, you may need treatment beginning with anti-thyroid medication. It’s also important to monitor where on your body you feel symptoms because some people experience side effects on different parts of their bodies.

How to get diagnosed with hypothyroidism?

Hypothyroidism is a condition in which your thyroid gland doesn’t produce enough hormones. Untreated hypothyroidism can affect many parts of your body, including your skin, weight, menstrual cycle, and fertility. The most common symptom of hypothyroidism is high levels of cholesterol since the body doesn’t produce enough thyroid hormone to break down fat cells. Another symptom of hypothyroidism is an irregular menstrual cycle which must be confirmed by blood tests. A doctor can diagnose hypothyroidism by checking our TSH (thyroid-stimulating hormone) level with a blood test. If the level of TSH is high, it means that the thyroid gland is underactive and needs treatment. The doctor may also perform additional tests to check for other possible conditions that may be causing your symptoms.

Thyroid illness is an illness that can cause a person to feel very tired, even when they’ve gotten enough rest. It may also cause many other problems and affect women’s health. Getting diagnosed is extremely important because it could do much damage to your body if left untreated. It is important to have a proper diagnosis before starting any treatment. This way, you’ll know the exact reasons for your symptoms and find the best ways to manage them.

For more blogposts by Infano on maintaining good menstrual health, click here.