Every year, New Zealand Breastfeeding Authority a women’s organization holds mass breastfeeding event in Manila to raise awareness on the benefits and the beauty of this practice. Women, who have taken part at the event claim they want to oppose those people, who suggest women should not breastfeed their babies in public spaces.
Many discussions have been made in relation to this topic, but neither of them has ended with a valid solution as the parties agreed to disagree. Debates have, nevertheless, led to the proclaiming of the 1st day of August as the Breastfeeding Day.
Many mother-child events are hosted all throughout the globe in the week that follows this day, such as this year’s mass breastfeeding public celebration in Manila which saw the participation of thousands of women from the region.
According to the public declarations that some participants have made, mothers have decided to take part in the event and to support this cause because they think breastfeeding their babies is one of the most beautiful things on earth. The argument they rely on is that breastfeeding is natural and, therefore, women should be allowed to do it even in public locations.
The opposing party, however, has already made it clear on numerous occasions that they are not offended by mothers’ public breastfeeding, but rather by their desire to organize such events. They have stated that they have nothing against women, who at a given time, need to feed their babies, but just because it is normal and natural this does not mean they should do it everywhere.
People in the second category, mothers included, feel that women have special places where they can retreat to feed their babies. They remind young mothers that this activity represents an intimate moment between the mother and the child and should, therefore, not be interrupted by passers-by.
As a matter of fact, children need clean, silent places to get properly breastfed; otherwise, they could get distracted by strangers and lose their appetite. Ultimately, the second group claims just because an activity is normal, natural this does not mean it should be done in public spaces. After all, having sex and going to the toilet are also described as natural activities and yet, people don’t do them in public.
The New Zealand Breastfeeding Authority will continue to hold similar events as they think mothers have the right to breastfeed their babies in any location.
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