The thing is: a breast is a breast, is a breast, is a breast. Have I repeated it enough for the emphasis I need? I am 100 per cent for women breastfeeding their children until they can clearly say: “Mummy, sit down so I can drink from your bosom” or whatever… but I don’t find it necessary to make our point by whipping them breasts out everywhere, anyhow.
It is still a nutritious session when a woman throws a scarf over her shoulder to preserve her modesty, should she find it necessary to breastfeed in public. It is the unique body part that God gave multiple roles: it is a natural feeding bottle to your baby, but also an important erogenous zone for your husband.
At the risk of sounding like I am a spokesperson for the boy child today, do not completely demystify everything about your body that once pleasantly gave him sleepless nights. I have taken several ‘beatings’ before for my controversial views in an era where political correctness overrides every truth.
But where is the line that separates breast – the object of sex to many men, from breast – the baby’s feeding bottle? Think of it like this: baby will one day be all grown up and turning his nose up at you at the suggestion of breastfeeding, but your marriage, husband and the sensual facts and factors in that will most likely still be around.
Don’t suddenly go from your coy, discreet-about-your-breasts self, to brandishing them like weapons everywhere, just because it is our right to breastfeed our children how we deem fit.
These days, even modern breast pumps are thoughtfully fitted with a chest band that only exposes the necessary part of the breast to pump milk for one’s baby without feeling like one is being an exhibitionist.
All that people like me are saying is, it is okay to still choose reasonable privacy when you have to breastfeed baby in a public place. I have sat next to a breastfeeding mother at a funeral before, and no one cared what she was up to, because she ‘tastefully’ attended to her hungry baby.
I have also seen EE-cup breasts unleashed at a function at Railway grounds, with no scarf, shade or anything. Both babies were fed, alright. What is wrong with striking a balance by feeding babies as and when they demand it, but also be equipped to preserve our modesty and sensuality?
Of course no sane man will openly complain about baby suckling on mummy’s breasts in public without any covering, but believe it or not, how you handle the whole breastfeeding business is part of the small things that can easily take the oompf! out of your sex life.
It is a free world, indeed, but think outside the political correctness box too! Fact is, for men, breasts are and always will be heavily sexualised in their heads. Keep that in mind, but also feed your toddler until kindergarten, if that is what you choose.
carol@observer.ug
