Comments on: Oh The Tyranny! http://www.thecowgoddess.com/2008/02/22/oh-the-tyranny/ The Evolution Revolution Fri, 10 Oct 2008 21:06:39 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.1.1 By: wiffersnapper http://www.thecowgoddess.com/2008/02/22/oh-the-tyranny/#comment-2924 wiffersnapper Sat, 23 Feb 2008 17:57:49 +0000 http://www.thecowgoddess.com/2008/02/22/oh-the-tyranny/#comment-2924 OK... so we have two things. One MIGHT protect my baby from bad/painful/deadly things happening later in life. The other definitely WILL NOT offer the same protection. Why would I not choose the chance that my baby might be spared things like allergies and asthma? We could apply this same logic to infant car seats- having your child strapped in will PROBABLY protect them in a crash. Having them run about loose is DEFINITELY more dangerous. But that choice isn't left to mothers. My midwife worked for years in Africa, where the water isn't the sort of thing you want to drink. She tells me that their breastfeeding success rate is like 99.9%, because there just isn't another option. Why can't that be here? I also found his comment about it isn't a mother's job to give her breast milk to her baby. Funny- I thought that was why we had boobies in the first place! OK… so we have two things. One MIGHT protect my baby from bad/painful/deadly things happening later in life. The other definitely WILL NOT offer the same protection. Why would I not choose the chance that my baby might be spared things like allergies and asthma? We could apply this same logic to infant car seats- having your child strapped in will PROBABLY protect them in a crash. Having them run about loose is DEFINITELY more dangerous. But that choice isn’t left to mothers.

My midwife worked for years in Africa, where the water isn’t the sort of thing you want to drink. She tells me that their breastfeeding success rate is like 99.9%, because there just isn’t another option. Why can’t that be here?

I also found his comment about it isn’t a mother’s job to give her breast milk to her baby. Funny- I thought that was why we had boobies in the first place!

]]> By: amyphilo http://www.thecowgoddess.com/2008/02/22/oh-the-tyranny/#comment-2925 amyphilo Sat, 23 Feb 2008 18:48:26 +0000 http://www.thecowgoddess.com/2008/02/22/oh-the-tyranny/#comment-2925 Ha ha and in related news, read the last 2 comments on "It's Super To Be So Normal" on Youtube. Q: "Why don't you just drape a simple blanket over the baby? I am pregnant and not planning on breastfeeding." A: "Well then you have no idea what you are talking about then. Duh" WHy do people bother after watching a video like that, obviously created by lactivists? http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c__pUPoGRBw Ha ha and in related news, read the last 2 comments on “It’s Super To Be So Normal” on Youtube.
Q: “Why don’t you just drape a simple blanket over the baby? I am pregnant and not planning on breastfeeding.”
A: “Well then you have no idea what you are talking about then. Duh”

WHy do people bother after watching a video like that, obviously created by lactivists?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c__pUPoGRBw

]]> By: mamaof5 http://www.thecowgoddess.com/2008/02/22/oh-the-tyranny/#comment-2926 mamaof5 Sat, 23 Feb 2008 20:00:31 +0000 http://www.thecowgoddess.com/2008/02/22/oh-the-tyranny/#comment-2926 I want to post... breast isn't best it is NORMAL! All the benifits of breastfeeding are not benifits, but how we are suppose to be. Breastfed babies are not smarter... they are NORMAL! AGH. This stuff makes me nuts. Why are breastfeeding mamas called names and formula feeding moms not (not that that would be good or nice at all) and why do we promote something that cost a freakin' fortune to families and not something that is pretty much free? Heather in Tucson I want to post… breast isn’t best it is NORMAL! All the benifits of breastfeeding are not benifits, but how we are suppose to be. Breastfed babies are not smarter… they are NORMAL! AGH.
This stuff makes me nuts. Why are breastfeeding mamas called names and formula feeding moms not (not that that would be good or nice at all) and why do we promote something that cost a freakin’ fortune to families and not something that is pretty much free?

Heather in Tucson

]]> By: wiffersnapper http://www.thecowgoddess.com/2008/02/22/oh-the-tyranny/#comment-2927 wiffersnapper Sat, 23 Feb 2008 23:13:28 +0000 http://www.thecowgoddess.com/2008/02/22/oh-the-tyranny/#comment-2927 I worked one summer in a grocery store as a checkout clerk, and it always made me wonder why moms on WIC were spending all their WIC money on formula, when they could just be buying good foods for themselves and nursing. Many of them told me that they weren't working, so it wasn't like they needed the formula to feed the baby at daycare while they were at work. This baffled me even before I had my daughter and nursed her! (And found out for myself how truly cool it was.) Also- when we were discharged from the hospital, even though they knew I was nursing, we were given a rather nice diaper bag, compliments of Similac. I used it for about two weeks, and then realized that I just didn't need all that room! I kept a diaper, a little pack of wipes, and a clean onesie (just in case!) in my regular purse, and we were good to go! Yet another advantage of breastfeeding! I worked one summer in a grocery store as a checkout clerk, and it always made me wonder why moms on WIC were spending all their WIC money on formula, when they could just be buying good foods for themselves and nursing. Many of them told me that they weren’t working, so it wasn’t like they needed the formula to feed the baby at daycare while they were at work. This baffled me even before I had my daughter and nursed her! (And found out for myself how truly cool it was.)

Also- when we were discharged from the hospital, even though they knew I was nursing, we were given a rather nice diaper bag, compliments of Similac. I used it for about two weeks, and then realized that I just didn’t need all that room! I kept a diaper, a little pack of wipes, and a clean onesie (just in case!) in my regular purse, and we were good to go! Yet another advantage of breastfeeding!

]]> By: angelofthenorth http://www.thecowgoddess.com/2008/02/22/oh-the-tyranny/#comment-2928 angelofthenorth Sun, 24 Feb 2008 00:44:41 +0000 http://www.thecowgoddess.com/2008/02/22/oh-the-tyranny/#comment-2928 Hmmm, perhaps in the comic, the free choice would be an additional information leaflet about breastfeeding, with a short note saying that "bottled breastmilk is also available where breastfeeding isn't medically possible, and in a few rare cases formula may be appropriate*", so that mothers who can't feed for whatever reason would be aware of that, but the overwhelming message would be breast is best. *for example where there is no milk bank, and there is a risk of mother-child transmission of HIV/other infection, or the mother is sick. Hmmm, perhaps in the comic, the free choice would be an additional information leaflet about breastfeeding, with a short note saying that “bottled breastmilk is also available where breastfeeding isn’t medically possible, and in a few rare cases formula may be appropriate*”, so that mothers who can’t feed for whatever reason would be aware of that, but the overwhelming message would be breast is best.

*for example where there is no milk bank, and there is a risk of mother-child transmission of HIV/other infection, or the mother is sick.

]]> By: esper_d http://www.thecowgoddess.com/2008/02/22/oh-the-tyranny/#comment-2929 esper_d Sun, 24 Feb 2008 08:37:09 +0000 http://www.thecowgoddess.com/2008/02/22/oh-the-tyranny/#comment-2929 It saddens me how many mothers don't even try to breastfeed, or give up easily... too sad! It saddens me how many mothers don’t even try to breastfeed, or give up easily… too sad!

]]> By: esper_d http://www.thecowgoddess.com/2008/02/22/oh-the-tyranny/#comment-2930 esper_d Sun, 24 Feb 2008 08:38:16 +0000 http://www.thecowgoddess.com/2008/02/22/oh-the-tyranny/#comment-2930 To wiffersnapper! Yes! I'm the same way, I don't use a diaper bag. For what? You throw a diaper or two with wipes in the purse and you're good to go! To wiffersnapper! Yes! I’m the same way, I don’t use a diaper bag. For what? You throw a diaper or two with wipes in the purse and you’re good to go!

]]> By: wiffersnapper http://www.thecowgoddess.com/2008/02/22/oh-the-tyranny/#comment-2935 wiffersnapper Mon, 25 Feb 2008 00:50:26 +0000 http://www.thecowgoddess.com/2008/02/22/oh-the-tyranny/#comment-2935 Don'tcha wonder what mommies are lugging around in those diaper bags? And why? Don’tcha wonder what mommies are lugging around in those diaper bags? And why?

]]> By: Julinda http://www.thecowgoddess.com/2008/02/22/oh-the-tyranny/#comment-2940 Julinda Mon, 25 Feb 2008 13:37:44 +0000 http://www.thecowgoddess.com/2008/02/22/oh-the-tyranny/#comment-2940 Okay, this seems to have been hijacked! But since we're going that direction, I carry a diaper bag. It is stuffed. 5 diapers, a spare shirt and pants, a few books and toys for church, a container of Cheerios. But since Alex is 2 and really doesn't need to be changed that often, I admit have been thinking about keeping extra diapers and clothes in the car having more space for books and toys. Okay, this seems to have been hijacked! But since we’re going that direction, I carry a diaper bag. It is stuffed. 5 diapers, a spare shirt and pants, a few books and toys for church, a container of Cheerios. But since Alex is 2 and really doesn’t need to be changed that often, I admit have been thinking about keeping extra diapers and clothes in the car having more space for books and toys.

]]> By: sheepdoc http://www.thecowgoddess.com/2008/02/22/oh-the-tyranny/#comment-2941 sheepdoc Mon, 25 Feb 2008 14:42:01 +0000 http://www.thecowgoddess.com/2008/02/22/oh-the-tyranny/#comment-2941 Guilty on the enormous diaper bag. My diaper bag has water, crackers, cheese, diapers, cloth wipes, and recycled newspaper baggies for wipes and the occasional diaper that is too stinky to be trashed alone, My sanitary pads, children's Tylenol, children's benadryl, dosing spoon for said. My ibuprofen. Rescue Remedy - also for me. Arnica, Bandaids, Crayons, crayon bits - if not cleaned that day. Pens, business cards, my planner/calendar. Cell phone. wallet and keys. Changing pad and toys. Whichever books the kids stuffed it with. We use a full size backpack - go figure. Mostly we leave it in the car. Guilty on the enormous diaper bag.
My diaper bag has water, crackers, cheese, diapers, cloth wipes, and recycled newspaper baggies for wipes and the occasional diaper that is too stinky to be trashed alone, My sanitary pads, children’s Tylenol, children’s benadryl, dosing spoon for said. My ibuprofen. Rescue Remedy - also for me. Arnica, Bandaids, Crayons, crayon bits - if not cleaned that day. Pens, business cards, my planner/calendar. Cell phone. wallet and keys. Changing pad and toys. Whichever books the kids stuffed it with. We use a full size backpack - go figure. Mostly we leave it in the car.

]]> By: mfindley http://www.thecowgoddess.com/2008/02/22/oh-the-tyranny/#comment-2946 mfindley Mon, 25 Feb 2008 20:09:05 +0000 http://www.thecowgoddess.com/2008/02/22/oh-the-tyranny/#comment-2946 This is not about my diaper bag. Less said on that topic, the better. On the comic: It struck me looking at it that the way the comic is drawn is like the "breastmilk is better" rather than "breastmilk is normal" debate. When you show the hospital room with labels like "no billboard," "no formula ads on TV," "no free samples" you are calling attention to the lack of those things. Really, the lack of those things should be NORMAL. So I would show just an empty hospital room with no words in it. Nice, clean, simple. Mama and her baby in a peaceful environment. Then the second room should have all the extra cr*p from the formula makers, with all the labels and signs showing you where they are, and how that's really not normal at all but a barrage of aggressive marketing shouting at you so you can't hear yourself think. Oh, and as I do my backseat-comic-drawing let me make it clear that I bow before Hathor's awesome artistic genius, and she can do nothing wrong. This is not about my diaper bag. Less said on that topic, the better.

On the comic: It struck me looking at it that the way the comic is drawn is like the “breastmilk is better” rather than “breastmilk is normal” debate. When you show the hospital room with labels like “no billboard,” “no formula ads on TV,” “no free samples” you are calling attention to the lack of those things. Really, the lack of those things should be NORMAL. So I would show just an empty hospital room with no words in it. Nice, clean, simple. Mama and her baby in a peaceful environment. Then the second room should have all the extra cr*p from the formula makers, with all the labels and signs showing you where they are, and how that’s really not normal at all but a barrage of aggressive marketing shouting at you so you can’t hear yourself think.

Oh, and as I do my backseat-comic-drawing let me make it clear that I bow before Hathor’s awesome artistic genius, and she can do nothing wrong.

]]> By: Hathor http://www.thecowgoddess.com/2008/02/22/oh-the-tyranny/#comment-3007 Hathor Tue, 26 Feb 2008 17:11:08 +0000 http://www.thecowgoddess.com/2008/02/22/oh-the-tyranny/#comment-3007 Dearest MFindley, thank you so much for the constructive input. As a goddess I don't generally do well with criticism of any kind, but when you add the part in which I am an "awesome artistic genius", well...it just makes everything all better;o) And bowing down to me, heck, that's just icing on the cake. thank you. (See dearest superhero husband I CAN take criticism, it just has to be followed by foot-massages!) Love, Heather Dearest MFindley, thank you so much for the constructive input. As a goddess I don’t generally do well with criticism of any kind, but when you add the part in which I am an “awesome artistic genius”, well…it just makes everything all better;o) And bowing down to me, heck, that’s just icing on the cake. thank you.

(See dearest superhero husband I CAN take criticism, it just has to be followed by foot-massages!)

Love,
Heather

]]> By: ethele http://www.thecowgoddess.com/2008/02/22/oh-the-tyranny/#comment-3040 ethele Thu, 28 Feb 2008 06:59:23 +0000 http://www.thecowgoddess.com/2008/02/22/oh-the-tyranny/#comment-3040 I liked his tactic of claiming that there wasn't even a total ad ban on alcohol. Um . . . are they allowed to advertise to people who are underage, for whom alcohol is especially unhealthy? Because that is what the ban on advertising formula for babies under 6 months is comparable to, if I understand correctly. Can't they still advertise it for older babies? Great idea from the EU. We should do that here. Oh, and my hospital delivery looked like the top picture, except that I did get a bag of goodies from the doctors. Lanolin, disposable nursing pads, and some nice pamphlets on the first days of nursing, reminders about the free lactation consultants available, etc. Baby Friendly hospitals aren't perfect, but are a step in the right direction. It wasn't perfect - the LC after my birth was an idiot who didn't listen to me and who didn't give me basic advice. I think she'd already decided I would fail at nursing twins since I was "poor" and "young" and therefore "stupid". I liked his tactic of claiming that there wasn’t even a total ad ban on alcohol. Um . . . are they allowed to advertise to people who are underage, for whom alcohol is especially unhealthy?

Because that is what the ban on advertising formula for babies under 6 months is comparable to, if I understand correctly. Can’t they still advertise it for older babies?

Great idea from the EU. We should do that here.

Oh, and my hospital delivery looked like the top picture, except that I did get a bag of goodies from the doctors. Lanolin, disposable nursing pads, and some nice pamphlets on the first days of nursing, reminders about the free lactation consultants available, etc. Baby Friendly hospitals aren’t perfect, but are a step in the right direction.

It wasn’t perfect - the LC after my birth was an idiot who didn’t listen to me and who didn’t give me basic advice. I think she’d already decided I would fail at nursing twins since I was “poor” and “young” and therefore “stupid”.

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