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So the Wing CC at Mountain Home AFB recently made a new policy regarding women breastfeeding in public. The social media sites are (rightly so) exploding over it. What are your thoughts?
Posted in these groups: 
Policy
Discrimination
Policy Discrimination
Edited 9 y ago
Posted 9 y ago
Responses: 21
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Forward that memo to the IG. Col Iverson is breaking the law.
Public Law 108-199, 118 STAT. 357, Section 629:
Notwithstanding any other provision of law, a woman
may breastfeed her child at any location in a Federal building
or on Federal property, if the woman and her child are otherwise
authorized to be present at the location
Public Law 108-199, 118 STAT. 357, Section 629:
Notwithstanding any other provision of law, a woman
may breastfeed her child at any location in a Federal building
or on Federal property, if the woman and her child are otherwise
authorized to be present at the location
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I don't believe it is too much to ask to breastfeed in private or to cover-up. Most women I know or have known would never purposely expose their breasts in public, breastfeeding or not.
I also don't buy the "it's natural" argument as justification to breastfeed in public without covering up. It is natural to urinate also, however, I don't foresee anyone jumping to my defense if I decided to pee in the TV section of the PX.
All one need do is practice a little discretion...
I also don't buy the "it's natural" argument as justification to breastfeed in public without covering up. It is natural to urinate also, however, I don't foresee anyone jumping to my defense if I decided to pee in the TV section of the PX.
All one need do is practice a little discretion...
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SrA Kelly Richard
Well, I was going to leave a detailed comment, however SrA touched on most of what I was going to say.
This is one out of two reasons why my husband and I decided it was best for me to separate from active duty. Though I absolutely LOVED my job, I LOVED the military, deploying was the third best thing that has ever happened to me in life (just below falling in love with my husband, and carrying his baby), and I was in the process of moving on to work with some of the coolest missions!!! However, I don't see long term breast feeding being practical while on active duty. As friendly as the policy letter seems, it was written by people that don't understand the details of breastfeeding and how each baby and each woman are so vastly different.
I'll just leave it at that, since I don't know if we can handle discussing such topics with a woman. I do not wish to offend anyone or make anyone feel uncomfortable.
I feel that both sides got their feelings involved in a discussion where reason and logic could be sufficient. It's like LGBTQ+ and what is acceptable by the military. You may have feelings one way or another, and sometimes, the military forces us to not express those opinions, and sometimes those opinions have to change, but that's for those above us to decide, and if we disagree, well, I wasn't afraid to walk through that door when I felt the military was not copacetic for my views and way of life, as far as caring for my child. Afterall, the military didn't issue me a baby, right?
This is one out of two reasons why my husband and I decided it was best for me to separate from active duty. Though I absolutely LOVED my job, I LOVED the military, deploying was the third best thing that has ever happened to me in life (just below falling in love with my husband, and carrying his baby), and I was in the process of moving on to work with some of the coolest missions!!! However, I don't see long term breast feeding being practical while on active duty. As friendly as the policy letter seems, it was written by people that don't understand the details of breastfeeding and how each baby and each woman are so vastly different.
I'll just leave it at that, since I don't know if we can handle discussing such topics with a woman. I do not wish to offend anyone or make anyone feel uncomfortable.
I feel that both sides got their feelings involved in a discussion where reason and logic could be sufficient. It's like LGBTQ+ and what is acceptable by the military. You may have feelings one way or another, and sometimes, the military forces us to not express those opinions, and sometimes those opinions have to change, but that's for those above us to decide, and if we disagree, well, I wasn't afraid to walk through that door when I felt the military was not copacetic for my views and way of life, as far as caring for my child. Afterall, the military didn't issue me a baby, right?
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SrA Kelly Richard
Sir, I was in the process of forming my thoughts as I didn't want to say anything inappropriate or make this about something it was not. I have extensive research to back up my opinions as well as those I did not touch on, but some of the supporting medical information can be uncomfortable for some. If you wish to know more in an emotion-free setting, feel free to send me a message. Though it may take me a moment to respond.
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SGT Toby Woodrich
COL Jean (John) F. Burleson
Maybe we want change each others opinion but shouldn't we give it a go before retreating so easily. I mean everything I say in good form with point's trying to be made as best I can. But if you have said your peace then I will say no more about the subject.
It's been real.
Maybe we want change each others opinion but shouldn't we give it a go before retreating so easily. I mean everything I say in good form with point's trying to be made as best I can. But if you have said your peace then I will say no more about the subject.
It's been real.
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COL Jean (John) F. B.
SrA Kelly Richard
Thank you for your heartfelt response. I appreciate it.
I am sorry you decided to get out of then Air Force, although I know some find it very difficult to balance the responsibilities of being in the military and being a mother. It is difficult enough in civilian life, and even more-so in military life.
I am certainly not against breast feeding and think that it is a natural act and one that many studies have shown to be what is best for the baby, both in terms of nourishment and in bonding with the mother. I greatly respect mothers who decided to nurse their babies. There are certainly much simpler ways to get the babies the nourishment they need. Nursing mothers show that they care more about the well-being of their babies than they do about convenience.
Although I think nursing babies is a wonderful, natural act, my personal feeling is that it should also be a private act, to the extent possible. I do not believe that most women want to expose themselves in public while nursing their babies and, as such, most seek a private location or do their best to cover-up/be discreet about it. In my opinion, those who do not appear to be more interested in making a personal/political statement than in providing nourishment to their babies.
While I fully understand the right of nursing mothers to nurse their babies, I believe that right should be subject to certain limitations. I see nothing wrong with requiring nursing mothers to do so in private or to not unnecessarily expose their breasts in public. Comments such as posted by TSgt (Join to see), which attempt to compare nursing with women wearing bikinis, fail to state that women wearing bikinis would not be allowed in most public facilities (PX/BX, federal buildings, malls, offices, etc.) without covering up. Again, rights have limitations.
Thank you again for your response. I appreciate it when people at least state the reason for their down vote.
Thank you for your heartfelt response. I appreciate it.
I am sorry you decided to get out of then Air Force, although I know some find it very difficult to balance the responsibilities of being in the military and being a mother. It is difficult enough in civilian life, and even more-so in military life.
I am certainly not against breast feeding and think that it is a natural act and one that many studies have shown to be what is best for the baby, both in terms of nourishment and in bonding with the mother. I greatly respect mothers who decided to nurse their babies. There are certainly much simpler ways to get the babies the nourishment they need. Nursing mothers show that they care more about the well-being of their babies than they do about convenience.
Although I think nursing babies is a wonderful, natural act, my personal feeling is that it should also be a private act, to the extent possible. I do not believe that most women want to expose themselves in public while nursing their babies and, as such, most seek a private location or do their best to cover-up/be discreet about it. In my opinion, those who do not appear to be more interested in making a personal/political statement than in providing nourishment to their babies.
While I fully understand the right of nursing mothers to nurse their babies, I believe that right should be subject to certain limitations. I see nothing wrong with requiring nursing mothers to do so in private or to not unnecessarily expose their breasts in public. Comments such as posted by TSgt (Join to see), which attempt to compare nursing with women wearing bikinis, fail to state that women wearing bikinis would not be allowed in most public facilities (PX/BX, federal buildings, malls, offices, etc.) without covering up. Again, rights have limitations.
Thank you again for your response. I appreciate it when people at least state the reason for their down vote.
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As a military mom who breastfed, this memo is very backhanded. One one side, it looks as if they are attempting to accommodate mothers, while at the same time, trying to hide us.
If I am at the PX running and errand, and my daughter starts screaming that she is hungry, I don't want to have walk around looking for a customer service rep to ask to be shown to a room where I can feed my child. I am going to find the nearest chair, get my cover out, and feed my baby & play on the phone.
I don't know if that was his intent, but that was how it made me feel. They could do what many places have done and designate a nursing room.
I have had all sorts of weird things happen while nursing, I have been given high-5s, hugs, scowled at, been told I'm disgusting. It can be such a divisive activity.
If I am at the PX running and errand, and my daughter starts screaming that she is hungry, I don't want to have walk around looking for a customer service rep to ask to be shown to a room where I can feed my child. I am going to find the nearest chair, get my cover out, and feed my baby & play on the phone.
I don't know if that was his intent, but that was how it made me feel. They could do what many places have done and designate a nursing room.
I have had all sorts of weird things happen while nursing, I have been given high-5s, hugs, scowled at, been told I'm disgusting. It can be such a divisive activity.
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TSgt David Holman
Ma'am, then you are already following the intent of the memorandum. They aren't saying you have to be in private, they are saying they have to offer you a private room, or you have to use a cover... you use a cover, there is nothing wrong with that.
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