The Precious Life…

Ever touch your baby in the middle of the night just to see if she is breathing? When we were new parents, at the first sign of sickness we would call the pediatrician or even rush to the ER in complete fear of the unknown. And we’re usually assured that it’s just a passing cold, and in time it indeed passed.

As parents, many of us take our children for granted. At the playground last week, I met a mother of a young boy and she told me she doesn’t get frustrated with her son as easily as most mothers because he was her miracle baby after seven years of trying to get pregnant with no success. This made me think: my children are not something I should ever view as a burden not even for a second- not even when they’re writing on the walls or crying all night.

So my little one, Saji, has been a little under the weather the past couple of days; nothing to panic about thank God, just a cold. But at barely nine months, it is difficult for her to sleep and nurse with so much congestion. I hate seeing her like this. But we must remember that sickness is a purification. When you or a loved one is sick, it is a time to pray and reflect. It is a time to rest and rejuvenate the mind and body.

But most of all, it is a time to be thankful.

Breastfeeding in Public: An American Stigmatism

I keep hearing stories about these “Disgusting”, “Outrageous”, “Hippie” moms who are unapologetically breastfeeding their babies in malls, restaurants, and supermarkets. And some of them have the nerve to do it uncovered! Just baby suckling breast with no shame!

In a society that claims to be “forward thinking” and “green” and sensitive to the rights of its citizens, we should be ashamed. In a society where it is the norm to see people kissing and fondling in public, where actresses are called sexy for wearing next to nothing at award shows and bikini tops are acceptable wardrobe for a night out with the girls, it is depressing that breastfeeding moms are the ones met with outrage and disgust.

This is just another indication that the portrayal of liberation and freedom women have in American society is merely a political farce used to make other countries feel inferior to American values.

Do I breastfeed in public? Yes I do. Would you notice? Probably not, because I always use my scarf or other garment as a cover. But does not mean I would be outraged to see another women do it uncovered? No I would not because I have seen much more outrageous things than a mother nourishing her child in the open. And frankly, I’d probably be more happy to see another mother who has embraced the best way to feed their child in a society who pretends they support it, but in reality it is a deep seeded taboo.

Why is breastfeeding taboo in America? What is at the base of American values? Capitolism. And corporations, like Enfamil and Good Start have infiltrated the minds and hearts of American women, telling them their own milk was not good enough for their offspring. And formula was better. So we have not only bought into this rhetoric, making their pockets fat, but we have sexualized and demonized breastfeeding and the people who do it.

This is not a blog about breastfeeding vs. formula. This is a blog about how an entire society can be brainwashed into thinking that something which is good and natural is something that is sick and inappropriate.