A photograph of two military moms in uniform breastfeeding their babies has sparked a degree of controversy, and the moms depicted in the image have spoken out about the debate.
The image was taken as part of the Mom2Mom Breastfeeding Support Group located at Fairchild Air Force Base. In the pic, Terran Echegoyen-McCabe, an Air National Guard member, is pictured feeding her twin baby girls in uniform alongside another breastfeeding mom, also in uniform. Posted to the group’s Facebook page, the seemingly benign pic has attracted attention due to the unfamiliar sight of moms in uniform breastfeeding.
Even on the page, the military moms breastfeeding are prompting a slew of comments- many encouraging, but some like this:
“Breast feeding in public is not illegal but public nudity is! Keep up the good work but please cover up the girls. I know my male children are confused by why some women have there girlie parts hanging out at the mall. Much classier to use a small blankie
”
But not everyone clucks for the proud moms to “cover up the girls,” and a fellow serviceman comments:
“While I kind of understand the paranoid publics’ outcry over the two airmen in uniform, being a Soldier, I see no problem with it, and applaud the photos. True, I am not a woman, but I still have my own opinion and it is that the images are perfectly acceptable. So congratulations on being normal,, good mothers… the world could use more of you, in or out of uniform!”
Echegoyen-McCabe appeared on the TODAY show to discuss the controversy, and stood by her decision to appear in the pic despite the backlash- she explains:
“I have breastfed in our lobby, in my car, in the park, and I pump, usually in the locker room… I’m proud to be wearing a uniform while breast-feeding. I’m proud of the photo and I hope it encourages other women to know they can breastfeed whether they’re active duty, guard or civilian.”
Sadly, according to Yahoo Shine, no particular protections are in place to ensure that servicewomen are encouraged to breastfeed babies, and even goes so far as to indicate that female military members “are encouraged to pump and bottle-feed their babies while they’re in uniform,” a practice known to harm a breastfeeding relationship.
Personally, I see nothing wrong with breastfeeding whether in public or in private. Nature gave the women breasts to feed their babies. It is the hypocritical society that is making this obscene. What is the difference between a native woman in a remote village and a high socialite breastfeeding their babies. The obscenity of this act is in the dirty mind of an individual. I often see my mother, sister, and daughter breastfeeding their babies and I feel love, joy and peace.
Let nature express her beauty freely. Nature never never gives something that is bad. But the good of nature is often being overshadowed by the bad man-made law of our society.
BTW, which looks immoral, a girl in a skimpy bikini where only her nipple is covered on a beach with thousands of people, or a woman breastfeeding on a train station where her nipple is covered by the mouth of her sucking baby?
BTW, which looks immoral, a girl in a skimpy bikini where only her nipple is covered on a beach with thousands of people, or a woman breastfeeding on a train station where her nipple is covered by the mouth of her sucking baby?
What an adorable mothers are they! Even, I, myself, giving breastfeed to my son in public or private places feel so proud because its one way of showing how much I love and care my baby.
Breast Is Best!
If we hadn't created man made baby milk and encouraged bottle feeding in the 70's no one would think anything unusual about seeing a woman feeding her baby. Personally I think it's a most beautiful and serene sight to behold and encaptures love, bonding and peace.
I breast fed my daughter and took the attitude that if someone has a problem with it then it is just that……..THEIR problem! I have to endure looking at tattoos and flesh rings in ears which turn my stomach when I'm in a restaurant but you have to live and let live – the short answer is, if it offends you then don't look.
No one complains when they see adults eating – what's the difference? I'm thankful I have a husband that is very pro breast feeding and so would have defended me if anyone had commented although I must say no one ever did. I think it's become 'the done thing' over here in the UK and it's hip to be an 'Earth Mother'!
Also, all power to women like these. If it were not for them and women like them, breast feeding mums would still be hiding away, perching on toilet seats in cubicles and being tutted and frowned at for the heinous act of feeding their babies naturally!
I am in total support of breastfeeding. It was God's design and for very good reasons. I breastfed all of my children. However, I believe that God also intended for woman (and men) to be modest. There is absolutely no reason why a woman can't be discreet about breastfeeding. It is very simple to cover up while breastfeeding in public. I breastfed everywhere we went, but didn't expose myself while doing it. It is a wonderful thing. I wish that women would see it for what it is; a necessary part of nourishing our children and not be flaunting it in public. Some things are meant to be "for our husband's eyes only" and breasts are one of those things.