baby symbol

the baby bottle is a distinct and powerful image. it may evoke comfort. that milky white container of nourishment symbolizes health and satisfaction to millions of babies worldwide. this is what has sustained us. generations of babies have been fed by no better means than this wonderful comforting container. this IS the symbol of baby to so many. this image has built the human race up from its neanderthal roots.

what? well isn't this THE container for feeding? isn't it perfect and traditional? isn't it properly industrialized? don't we see this image as THE symbol of everything pure and 'baby'? how more perfect could this container be?

am i the first person to notice the subliminal image of the bottle and compare it to breastfeeding? i can see why the breast isn't used as a symbol for baby... but why a bottle?

no. no. no. this is not my original idea at all, but it is one that has stuck with me (sorry, forgot the source!) i am going to be a breastfeeding momma and the resources out there for me all have these atrocious warnings.... mom's don't always have the best success stories when it comes to breastfeeding. mom's don't get the right support from their loved ones and even their medical professionals let alone public opinion. but it is clear that breastfeeding is the healthiest choice for baby (and mom.)

why? why should it be so challenging? isn't breastfeeding normal or at least natural? isn't that why the breasts go through all those changes during pregnancy and right after? isn't that why babies have instincts to root and suck? don't baby formula companies out there openly admit that breastfeeding is really better than their product? yes. even scientists and pediatricians are amazed at the power of breast milk and baby's ability to thrive. we are miles away from even identifying all the lovely cozy 'comfort proteins' and other 'goodies' that are in breast milk.

so why am i doomed to be a breastfeeding challenged mother to start with? why does society make me worry about my breasts and their abilities to upset people or dissatisfy my baby? i have taken the breastfeeding class. i have read a few breastfeeding books. i have reached out to my breastfeeding relatives and friends. i have located the local la leche league. i have purchased a breastfeeding bra and pajamas.

and now i wait. are my breasts prepared? these are my guns. will they be loaded and ready? will they know that i am expecting them to qualify me in this breastfeeding race? will they adequately equip me with at least a years supply of nourishment? can they hold up to that stranger who hollers for me to put my 'sexual' object away in public? can i defend them in return for such service?

there are choices to make when it comes to the bottle or breast. there are lives and emotions at stake. the decision may even be more complicated as breast milk is sometimes used in the bottle. but it isn't a war against moms who formula feed or moms who breast feed in my book. my choice is not a license to ridicule the moms who have made the opposite choice. i don't want this post to be about upsetting moms who have formula fed their babies. i actually believe that moms and dads are the ones that make the best choices for their babies, not me. this post is about how society makes bottle=baby bottle=baby bottle=baby. we need to separate the two images. wouldn't most parents think that an image of baby could actually symbolize baby? wow, baby=baby!

i want to empower the parents out there. now that i can visualize myself as a parent, the ability to parent is something that i must stand up for. these are our children whether we hold them to the breast or the bottle, they are precious. for first time parents like us, we must realize that sometimes our rights as parents have been limited by those who have come before us. we must educate ourselves and observe what makes our society work. where do we fit in? how have we been supported? how can we maintain and establish the best society for our children to be raised in?