A genuine need indeed

In Kerala, a magazine ‘Grihalakshmi’ featured the picture of 27-year-old Gilu Joseph while she was breastfeeding. After the controversy on the ‘Breastfeed freely’ picture went viral, a campaign was launched on social media promoting free and open breastfeeding by women as part of the International Women’s Day celebrations.

Nothing is wrong with public breastfeeding which is not exhibitionism. It is feeding a baby. There’s a huge difference between opening your bra to feed your baby, and “whipping it out” for others to stare at. One should understand there is nothing to feel ashamed of breastfeeding in public. “Recently, I visited the hospital with my one-month-old baby and when the baby started crying I don’t know why but I started searching for a place to feed my baby. I know nothing is there to get embarrassed, but I don’t think I will be able to feed in public,” says Bimala (name changed).

Last year Australian Senator Larissa Waters has become the first politician to breastfeed in the nation's Parliament. It became an international news, whereas women have been breastfeeding for as long as time immemorial. Mother of two Arshiya Begum, a homemaker from Tolichowki, says, “There is nothing to be afraid of or be embarrassed about it. It is a very genuine need. And one should feel proud about feeding.”

In the olden days' people used to say if you feed in public without covering your breasts, they would dry up very soon. These are all age-old superstitions, which many believe even today. “I still believe in these. If you are on your periods, you cannot enter the kitchen, but I feel this is something needed when a woman could get rest. In the same way, if one feeds in public kids may take in dust. This is for health purpose though it is a superstition,” says Anju Yadav.

Dr Rooma Sinha, a Gynaecologist, says, “I feel breastfeeding is good for the baby. But in public places arrangement should be made to feed the baby. Be it an airport, railway station, malls, etc. There must be an area where mothers can feed the baby and come out. It is the government duty to provide the facility. There is smoking zone/room in every place. Why can’t they allot a room for mothers to go and feed? We should take this campaign in a positive way.

But at the same time, I am not saying that every mother must feed on a road or in a public place. That’s also not correct. We must maintain some decorum too. But yes, the government has to create a special place for breastfeeding mothers.”

Hyderabad-based gynaecologist, Dr Vimee Bindra Basu says, “These are all beliefs what we have developed over time and now it is difficult to change those beliefs. People have believed that women should go to another room or cover her breasts while feeding a baby. We as doctors don’t feel anything wrong with breastfeeding in public.”

“I, as a doctor, believe that there is nothing wrong and there is no shame in this. A woman can feed her baby wherever she wants. But we must see how people will react. We must educate them first. We must create awareness. We have to change our beliefs a little bit,” the doctor informs.

Dr Basu reiterates that the people’s beliefs have to be changed and awareness has to be created. “It’s a natural process and nothing is wrong in that. But women are not feeding properly not just in public but even in private, which would result in a long-term effect on the baby. And no formula milk can ever replace mother’s milk. Even if they are low on breast milk.”