In order for breastfeeding to be seen as "normal" and natural, and not frowned upon in public, we clearly need to be doing more than what we are doing. The nurse-ins are wonderful, and extremely supportive for nursing moms, but to the general public may be seen as a big nuisance. Which is why I think it's a good idea for older kids to see moms breastfeeding. No need to hide this natural act. Older kids don't have to go to a bathroom to eat, why should babies?
I've always loved the clip of Buffy nursing Cody and explaining it to Big Bird on Sesame Street (below). Why did segments featuring babies eating from the breast go away? Not sure. Throughout the show's history, there were numerous nursing moms on the show, but that stopped sometime during the '90s. Thankfully mom Lani Michelle of the blog Boobie Time (love it!) has started a petition to get Elmo and friends to welcome some breastfeeding moms on their show. Great idea, Lani! We need to support this!
How cool would it be for a celebrity mom who is breastfeeding to appear on the show with baby telling Elmo and Abby all about it? (Jennifer Garner ... I'm talking to you! Think about it!) My daughter, who is 25 months old, holds her own doll to her chest and says, "Baby's eating." I hope this stays with her and she will always know that breastfeeding is just something moms do, and nothing to freak out about if you see a mom doing it. If it's on Sesame Street, the reach would be great and could positively impact the way our society views nursing mothers by starting with the kids of today. It's exactly what the cause needs.
To sign the petition that Lani has set up, visit Bring Breastfeeding Back to Sesame Street.
You can also tweet: #BFBack2SesameSt.
Thanks Lani! I hope we can make a difference!
Will you be signing the petition? Do you think breastfeeding should be on Sesame Street -- why or why not?
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Comments 58
100% agree. How will it ever be accepted again if we are not exposed. It is natural and normal and shouldn't be tucked away. Why is the bottle the only acceptable way to feed a baby? Bring on the nursing moms!
blah, could not be more bored with this debate.
Totally with fave82. It's a private matter that I'm tired of on blogs.
I agree partially with this. As a mother of 5 my older children have all been exposed to breastfeeding and think nothing of it. However, having known people who have been unable to breastfeed, perhaps a better way to go about it would be to have more than ne parent on the show. Someone could be breastfeeding, someone could be giving their little one a bottle. If there were older ones as well, they could be snacking on finger foods. This way it shows that there are several different ways for babies to eat and they are all normal.
Public breastfeeding is a socially debated issue. It's not Big Bird's (or Elmo's) job to take sides on that. Breastfeeding is also a completely irrelevant issue for Sesame Street because it's a preschool program designed to teach children basic things they need to know to be prepared for school. It's irrelevant whether or not it was on the show in the 80s.
This would be about as useful to a 3 year old's school preparedness as making Bert and Ernie gay lovers.
Completely and totally irrelevant.
If this is an issue you are impassioned about, teach it to your own children. It's called parenting. Quit expecting society and the media to teach your kid everything you want them to know about life.
I agree with the majority of commenters. And I'm pretty tired of breastfeeding advocates pushing breastfeeding at everyone. Everyone already understands its better and more natural and blah..blah..blah. My 2 year old son doesnt need to be learning breastfeeding tips and benefits off of seasame street. I agree with Mama2MonkeyBoys, if you really are that concerned with teaching your children breastfeeding basics from toddlerhood, then teach them yourself. Don't expect some tv show to do it.