Contrary to what the fashion, ‘adult’ entertainment, and marketing industries might have us believe, the mammary glands have evolved for one purpose only, to produce the absolutely ideal food needed to nourish the young of each species.
The only species that seems to have a problem with this most basic biological process is us, Homo sapiens – in particular, the over-precious, westernised version of H. sapiens. And, to our shame, we in Ireland are the poor men (or, in this case, women) of Europe, a low spot we have occupied for two generations now. Why?
It can’t be that we don’t know any better: the simplest small farmer knows that a baby animal that is free to suckle its mother whenever it feels the need to is far healthier and thrives far better than one fed milk substitutes at designated times convenient for the farmer. This fundamental rule of nature holds true for all species, even humans. A species apart we may be, but only intellectually; biologically, we’re far from special and we flaunt nature’s basic laws at a cost.
Whatever the original cause for the dramatic decline in breastfeeding – misguided, ignorance-based fashion, or unprincipled pressure from the commercial interests of that era – it’s likely that behaviour patterns are reinforced by example: perhaps today’s continuing low percentage is because young mothers didn’t see their mothers breastfeeding. Peer pressure may also be at work, e.g., some women coming to Ireland from societies where breastfeeding is almost universal, now choose not to, just to be seen to fit in. Another factor may be lack of confidence, though every mother, apart from a rare few (in all mammal species), is programmed to produce milk at the same time that she gives birth.
A significant off-putting factor is undoubtedly the relatively high level of public disapproval in Ireland for breastfeeding in public places: a young mother may decide that she has enough to worry about without being stared at or even chastised for embarrassing people, being an exhibitionist, making people uncomfortable.The benefits of breastfeeding are so marked that virtually every country in the world promotes and facilitates it. At least in this regard, we are no exception and it is actually illegal to ask a nursing mother to stop, or to request that she leave a public area while she is doing so.
In a drive to facilitate a choice that ought to be a no-brainer for any mother with the best interests of her infant at heart, breastfeeding
is being encouraged at all levels. Mothers-to-be are being made aware of its advantages and the disadvantages of opting not to. And the public is being exhorted to facilitate nursing mothers in every way possible. Signs like ‘You Are Welcome To Breastfeed Your Baby Here’ should be prominently displayed in public places, both as an encouragement to mothers and as a deterrent to those who might, misguidedly, complain.
