Building Arks Through Collaboration in Black Breastfeeding Support: I AM My Sister's Keeper (Video)

I came across a video by the exceptional Johnetta B. Cole who, over the past while, has been on my list of women I most admire. Now, I do have my biases on why I refer to her this way, and admit some of these come from being exposed to her work as well as her long list of accomplishments. She is unbelievable. And phenomenal, which is why I'll use some space on this post to express how amazed I am with such a brilliant figure! For starters she has served on several boards, and even though I have serious all-around issues with Coca Cola, there's something to be said about being the first woman ever elected to their board, which she was. She was also the first female president of Spelman College -- an all-woman's school -- a position she held for 10 years, from 1987-1997, and while under her watch the University was listed as the number one HBCU. Not surprising. In 2004, she founded the Johnetta B. Cole Global Diversity and Inclusion Institute at Bennett College for women, whose mission was to "Create, communicate and continuously support the compelling case for diversity and inclusion in the workplace and the "worldplace." She has reinvented herself several times in spite of society's views on women after a certain age, and is currently the director of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture in Washington, D.C. Of course there's countless other accomplishments I could add, but saving the best for last (if at all possible here), she is a Black Feminist Anthropologist, who has both an MA and PhD in the discipline, and her first teaching job after graduation, was right here -- at Washington State University! So as you can see, my praise for her is biased, but rightfully so. 

I have found several of Dr. Cole's presentations and speeches online, and the first thing that always stands out to me, regardless of the forum, is how captivating her messages are, and how she engages the crowd with such meaningful, insightful and impacting words. When Dr. Cole is on stage, her slow, southern drawl and carefully enunciated words like hypnosis draws you in. And you listen. During this talk, she used a Biblical story in order to highlight ways to enact change on a more proactive and progressive level -- by practicing what she learned is the 'Noah Principle.' Of the many things that are at the base of this theory of being more proactive in taking care of ourselves -- our physical, mental and spiritual well-being to be at our best when in 'rough waters' and challenging situations, having confidence in what we do as women of color and giving our all at the things we do what stood out to me the most was about allies and finding ways to assist each other:

"We Women of color must insist, as happened in the story of Noah, that we're get on board at least two-by-two. If you are in a position of power in a corporation, then it is your responsibility, my sister, to do all that you can to bring other sisters on board. And once that new sister of color is on board don't you dare leave her by herself. Be her mentor. Be her sponsor. Or help her to find one."   

Although Dr. Cole is speaking to a room full of women of color who are navigating through the world of corporate America, the message she conveys is not only relevant in other sectors, but it is necessary and should be framed in order to address the issues of the particular audience. The idea of mentorship and responsibility towards others stood out to me because lately it's been on my mind quite a bit. Of course I've seen too many times -- in education for example, when people are looking for advice and no one offers assistance. But lately I've seen this even more in Black breastfeeding support. I've been in conversations with people who've complained about the inability to find help in promoting and increasing the numbers of Black women who breastfeed -- that they have reached out to members of our community -- to well-seasoned breastfeeding advocates, for information and guidance on building their approach towards social change, only to be turned away and ignored.

Aside from a single incident of not receiving a response when I asked for input from someone to support an event, I have been extremely fortunate from day one of my advocacy. At first I didn't have a clue what to do about breastfeeding promotion, and called La Leche League and other organizations and even though I wasn't qualified because I don't have any children, people were definitely interested in at least hearing me out. Others, who were not necessarily here in my locale, were happy to offer information and point me in a helpful direction. When I first contacted the State coalition here, not only was I greeted with enthusiasm about my endeavor, but since that day the manager has always shown a willingness to help me find info, keep me in the loop on local, state, and sometimes nationwide happenings, but has been helpful in introducing me to others who not only share the vision of promoting breastfeeding among women, but who can also understand me on a more personal level and who put their greatest efforts towards Black breastfeeding support. I am now at the point where  others are asking me for the same information I once asked -- "Where do I begin?" And what I've said about those who've help guide my path I want them to say about me.

I know the road isn't easy. In fact not only is it not easy but often times it may feel as if it's a long, arduous trek uphill. Because it is a long, arduous trek uphill. It is pathetic at least, to have to promote the natural ability of a woman to feed her child from her body, through activism, writing, laws and legislature and other policies. But we do it -- to contribute to the health and well-being of our community, and keep our children free from the milkshake of chemicals that is infant formula -- to save our lives. For 'twofers' -- Black and female, it also encompasses the grueling task of not only combating the overarching message society gives against breastfeeding, but sexism, racism, class division and other isms and phobias we encounter. But it is these exactly which underscore the importance of building allies and remaining available to others working towards the same goal. As advocates, it is our responsibility to mentor and sponsor our community members on their path to Black breastfeeding advocacy, and when we feel we can't relate find someone who can. Or be accountable for the role we play in supporting disparities.

Dr. Cole emphasizes we "stop talking about floods and start building arks!" Finding ways to fix the issues happens by working together -- to stay afloat during this 'torrential downpour.' We're are responsible for bringing others on board -- to challenge issues at their core and foil the devastation on our community -- and lift as we climb. Because we are, each of us, our sister's keeper.

University of North Carolina's 8th Breastfeeding and Feminism Symposia

I didn't end up sending in an abstract to speak at last year's event, but someone just shared the Save The Date flyer with me for the UNC's Breastfeeding and Feminism Symposia for 2013. Next year's theme is: "It Takes A Village: The role of the greater community in inspiring and empowering women to breastfeed." I don't think I really have to go into much detail at all about this one – as far as if I'm interested or not. And if you know me or have kept up with this blog you'll know this is the undercurrent of all of my work – on inclusion and community, and getting more people involved. So of course I'd be thrilled to share my ideas.

I don't want to jump to conclusions and all, but I do wonder about the audience, though, and who'll be reviewing the submissions and picking and choosing – especially when I look on the website and middle-aged white women are representatives of the conference, and they along with older white men symbolize the institute. And feminism – the large-scale critique of the structure to eradicate domination directed at female populations, has always focused on the experiences of white women. That is undeniable. This is the same with the lot of so-called breastfeeding advocates who fail to put, especially race at the forefront. So it has me thinking. Breastfeeding advocacy needs more input from feminists of color. I am so there! Well, at least I'm responding to the Call for Papers this time.

Don't Know Much About (Birth) History. Don't Know Much #Midwifery (Video)

The other day someone asked me for information about birth -- for books or other types of references on midwifery, and how Black women experienced this in past generations. Not surprisingly I didn't know much, and had it not been for a local midwife I've met on a few occasions, who appears in the video below and reading Listen To Me Good -- a book she recommended when I asked about Black breastfeeding history, I would have been completely clueless.

I have been around family and friends who, over the years have given birth, and shared in their different stories and experiences -- and have played a hand in helping raise all of these children. Also, when I was in my mid 20s not only did I want to have babies of my own -- in the bathtub of my house -- with all of my family in the next room eating pizza and playing games, but I wanted to be a midwife and assist other women during that incredible time. At this point in my life I'm not on that path. It's interesting how things change. Today, if the universe drew me in that direction, I know it would be by becoming involved through vying on the side of justice and working towards equity for better birthing outcomes for disadvantaged and marginalized groups, more than just having a desire for the custom overall. But it has not done so. But even with this in mind, it does not mean I cannot and should not be able to point someone in a direction and have a few resources up my sleeve.

In addition to Listen To Me Good, Motherwit is another text I checked out from the library but was too busy and didn't get a chance to read. I also decided to look up a couple more to add to this small list that I know of, and put the links below this video -- on birth and midwifery. They are ones I may possibly like to read someday. I also gathered some information on other sources like films and documentaries, too, to ensure I am at least somewhat armed with info the next time I'm asked. And also, you can feel free to leave a link to your site or one you know of, or a book title or video url in the comments section below.

Community Story: Catching Our Babies: 3/14/2011 12:26

Michelle Sarju is one of the few African-American midwives in Washington state. While following her career path, we`ll explore the efforts being made to help women of all cultural communities find more positive pregnancy and birthing experiences

   
   
   

Below are videos and other sites on birth and midwifery.

• Sites I Visit

International Center for Traditional Childbearing
it's better at home

The Mahogany Way Birth Cafe 

Soul Veg Mama

• Videos

All My Babies: A Midwife's Own Story
Bringin' In Da Spirit
Killing Medical Self-Help Tradition among African Americans: The Case of Lay Midwifery in NC 
The Legacy of the Black Midwife w/Shafia Monroe  (Playlist)
Safe Delivery: Traditional Birth Attendants in Liberia
The Healing. Author Jonathon Odell Interviews Midwife Mrs. Willie Turner (excerpts) (Playlist)
Toughest Place to be a Midwife

• Other Birth and Midwifery Websites

Black Women's Birthing Justice
Midwives of Color
Musings From The Mind of Sista Midwife
Sistah Midwife International

• Additional links and interesting articles

A Ritual Tradition: Midwifery Among Southern African Americans
Black Midwives, from Africa to Now
Black Midwife Launches Campaign To Stop 'Baby Mama Epidemic' - But Is Marriage The Answer?
NPR: Lessons from African American Midwife Traditions
The Hands of Black Midwives Have Always Saved Lives
The Persecution and Prosecution of Granny Midwives in South Carolina, 1900-1940

Wordless Wednesday: We are ALL to blame. And we can all do better! #endworldpoverty

Black Lactation Consultants DO Exist!

Some time ago -- about a year, at least, when I first contacted breastfeeding coalitions here about Black breastfeeding advocacy, I was told by one of the managers that she couldn't think of any Black IBCLCs in the area -- or in the entire state -- of Washington. I have written about this before and the Seattle Breastfeeding Examiner even asked the question: "Are there really no Black Lactation Consultants in Washington State?" Even though it was pretty devastating, I wasn't all that surprised, since Washington State's primary ethnic group consists of white people. In fact, I believe it's around 80%. Shortly after that email, I received another telling me that there was in fact one, and more recently I learned of another, and they are both in Western Washington.

The first is Delores Baccus. Delores has been an IBCLC for five years and a Registered Nurse for two. She works for King County Public Health, and is co-founder of an up and coming non-profit, focused on increasing Black women's healthy birth outcomes and breastfeeding initiatives, and is involved in various other projects, including summit planning and anti-racism committees, among others. She recently attended the ROSE Summit in Atlanta, focusing on ways to improve Black women's access to breastfeeding, and is helping to plan the upcoming racism, power and white privilege summit. If you'd like to contact her, you can do so here, but also make sure you keep an eye out for Mahogany Moms -- the organization in the works. 

The second, Nisha, is founder of Mother Rites, which provides doula and lactation services for King and Kitsap Counties. According to her website, she has been practicing since 1999 and has a number of accomplishments under her belt, including being a Certified Nurses Assistant, a birth and postpartum doula, promotes the health of parent relationships, specializes in infant mental health, is CPR certified, has critical care experience and she studied cultural anthropology at the University of Washington. Woot! She'll also do henna artwork on your baby belly, too -- which can last up to two weeks. You can contact Nisha here.

Even though I've shared my thoughts on what I've felt is the increasing commercialization of breastfeeding and have been concerned with the many layers of intervention, I had a conversation last week with a very prominent figure in breastfeeding advocacy, who helped me to see things just a bit differently. When I told her I think there are just too many people with their 'hands on' women and their breasts, she said that the tradition of breastfeeding among our community is largely lost and has been for the past number of years and throughout generations and we've got to get that back. Once that is regained and we receive a firmer foundation, what I refer to as 'commercial intervention' may not be all that necessary, but right now it is. That makes more sense to me.

The significance of these women who are lactation consultants goes much deeper than I will in this short post. I cannot stress enough the importance of Black women being around other Black women who we can identify and feel comfortable with. We need to be able to be in the presence of someone who understands us on various levels, and around those who can address what is specific to our community. We need safe spaces. We also need to see others who look like us and have those people be accessible in order to work on that foundation and inspire more community members across the board. This is what changes things and what will help combat disparities. I'm definitely excited about this because the reality is when there is a more diverse group of health care professionals and clinical practitioners who are able to address what concerns us, meet with and connect with us in that necessary safe space, there is a more diverse group of people who are getting the proper care and treatment they need and deserve. I'm keeping my eyes peeled for other Consultants of Color here in Washington State, but for now I'm really glad to at least find these.

If you are in Washington state, and identify as a Black IBCLC and would like to be linked to this post, please contact me and let me me know. 

Male Breastfeeding Support: It Takes Three. . . . At Least (Video)

The video below was presented by Dr. Yvonne Bronner at the ROSE Summit last month, during her presentation on engaging fathers in breastfeeding support. Dr. Bronner's emphasized that instead of making breastfeeding about only a mother-baby dyad, it needs to become a triad, counting fathers as an integral part of the tradition.

Interestingly enough this morning I came across another article on making fathers count by targeting dads, and it talked along the same lines, saying that fathers often have stigmas or misconceptions about breastfeeding and body image and too often relegate breasts as a "sexual thing and not a feeding mechanism," which are ideas many subscribe to -- including moms.

I think the universe wanted me to post about fathers and breastfeeding support today. Ironically, as I've been taking my time re-reading The Black Woman's Guide to BREASTFEEDING, I happen to be on the chapter talking about including dads -- It Takes Three, Chapter five, and just finished reading the author's husband, Noel Barber's insert on understanding breastfeeding from the father perspective. Though my opinions on this are slightly varied because I think these ideas are horribly idealistic -- meaning I understand fathers exist of course, and must take part, but I also know that not every situation is made up of a triad -- and the ones who have those extra figures tend to not necessarily be the ones feeling the greatest effects of breastfeeding disparities. Also, even though I absolutely understand fathers and partners should be supportive, believe it just lets too many people off the hook when it comes to stepping up to the plate and becoming involved. Soceity. But that's just me. However, I still believe this is very necessary information for those close to the mom-to-be.

Word(less words) Wednesday: A (Cross-Cultural) Constellation of Madonnas

Madonna of Soweto

After the previous Madonna With Twins post my curiosity was piqued about others, and after I started composing this 'Wordless Wednesday' article, couldn't help but weigh in a bit. It took minimal searching to find a number of 'Madonna and Child' images that were close to the original artwork but I've been more interested in gaining an understanding on how this Holy dyad is depicted and experienced on a larger, more global level -- around the world, and how it reflects those different social and sub/cultural ideas and locations. Below are some of the images I've come across so far -- all linked to the sites where I found them, and you can continue to conduct your own research as well. Also, I don't know enough about the figures to know why some are breastfeeding -- which is what initially caught my attention about the Virgin, while others are not and what the significance of that is within the context, but I'd definitely be interested in finding out. I may do more research if I can get around to it, but in the meantime check this post often, because I may update it when I come across others -- there's a countless amount out there, and they vary even within cultures and within religions. It's so fascinating, and such an awesome example of seeing how these are projected through each creator or on-looker's cultural lens.

  

   Mambo Ezili Danto (aka Erzulie Dantor)      black madonna + child via Pinterest

Adriaen Isenbrant - The Virgin Nursing the Christ Child

My friend took this image on his visit to New Orleans Museum of Art. 3/13/13

                          Madonna and Child by David Forte                Apache Virgin and Child

                               Isis/Auset and Horus                       Soup's On Madonna and Child

                            Indian Madonna and Child                          By Olga Polun, 2008

 

                        African Madonna and Child.                           Massai Madonna and Child

                               Country not specified.              

 

                           'Gladys and Elizabeth'                      Moghul 'Hennaed Madonna and Child'

 

                         Lunar Madonna                                             Virgin and Child, Ethopian

                       

                      Black Madonna and Child, Nigeria                           Madre Mestiza

DIY Nursing Bras

I can't remember who tweeted or re-tweeted this. All I remember is that it came through my twitter feed not too long ago, and it got me thinking about others. The first article I saw was on Nordstrom converting your regular bra into a nursing bra for only 10 dollars -- adding that it is not necessary to have purchased it from the Department Store in order to do this. Because of that post, I wondered if there were other places that did the same, so I did a quick google search and found some sites that are DIY and give step-by-step instructions that don't seem too complicated. Here are a few:

Nursing Bra Tutorial
How to make a regular bra into a nursing bra

Convert A Regular Bra Into A Nursing Bra

Even though everything I've heard has told me how comforting and convenient it is to have a nursing bra, I know there are many out there who cannot or do not get  them largely because of their price -- bras are expensive in general so it's awesome to see this. So for all bra-wearing nursing women out there who could benefit, and I imagine that pool is probably large, in my opinion this information is fairly sweet.

Cigarettes and breastmilk: Can you smoke while nursing? (Video)

Since I still have many of the ideas from the ROSE Summit fresh on my mind --  hearing all of the ways organizations, healthcare officials and advocates work to increase breastfeeding rates among Black women, I decided to google some of the speakers so I can take a deeper look at their work. I came across this recently-made video featuring Dalvery Blackwell, who is a Board Certified Lactation Consultant, and co-founder and program manager of the African American Breastfeeding Network of Milwaukee, and found it helpful.

In it, Dalvery encourages finding ways to stop, or at least lessen smoking, and explains a few ways to minimize second and third-hand smoke around babies, and talks briefly about bottle-fed babies whose mothers are smokers. She also explains that although quitting is ideal, a woman who smokes up to 10-15 cigarettes per day passes minimal amounts of toxins into her milk, and breatfeeding still produces the optimal effects for a newborn baby and provides a level of protection against ailments even smokers get. Crazy, eh?! I thought her scientific explanation was helpful and necessary, since this is something that is not too often discussed. She even goes on to give a short account on her own connection with tobacco -- on how she started and how she stopped, and those are always nice to hear.

As a former smoker myself (last month, I celebrated three years of being smoke-free, after a very long and drawn out 15 year habit), I understand what it's like to struggle with tobacco -- and the desire or the non desire to stop, as well as the difficulties that come with it. As I've mentioned before once upon a time when I saw myself with kids figured I'd just stop when I found out I was pregnant, though looking back I'm not exactly sure what it was that possessed me to think I'd be able to kick the habit at the drop of a hat, since most times being able to quit seemed simply impossible. Cigarettes are exceptionally addictive. Of the many reasons behind my quitting, which include being a positive example for my family members -- the younger generations especially, wanting to increase my health, learning about the history of slavery and tobacco, gaining a greater understanding of the industry whose predatory marketing tactics are largely directed at Black and Brown communities, saving myself some money and just being 'so over smoking,' I firmly believe the universe was preparing me for breatfeeding advocacy before I even stepped into the realm; in order to promote health among the communities I seek to represent, even though I don't have children, encouraging me to be as healthy of a representative as I could. I am very thankful for that. But that's just some of my story. What about you? Do you have a breastfeeding and smoking story? On quitting or continuing? Do you struggle with tobacco while having a newborn? Has it interfered with your breastfeeding journey? I'd love to know.

There are many places that offer smoking cessation support. 1 800 QUIT-NOW seems to be a number that has been implemented in several states across the U.S. Do you know of others?

Wordless Wednesday: Black Madonna With Twins - White Madonna With Twins

Read about the images here.

Tell me something good....TO READ

I recently read Listen To Me Good: The Story of an Alabama Midwife, a book on Black lay midwifery as told by a granny midwife in the earlier part of the 1900s. Things may look different in Black birth today as far as most Black women having their babies in a hospital, but back then Black women giving birth at home was the norm -- well, that's just the way it was. It was racism that created many segregated birthing spaces which, ironically, is what also prevailed, outlawing lay midwifery in Alabama, and paving the way to turn this traditional practice into an industry. This book was recommended to me by a Black midwife here in town, when I asked her for information on Black breastfeeding and history and she suggested I start there. I also recently read Soul On Fire and The Vegetarian Myth, -- and that one will be reviewed on this blog over the next few weeks. Currently, I'm again reading The Black Woman's Guide to BREASTFEEDING, since Kathi Barber is assisting with the Summit here for next year and I thought it'd be nice to revisit her work.

I took a look at my wishlist on Amazon.com recently, to see what sounds good or what I'm in the mood for at the moment, because I love getting my hands on a good book. Here are a few titles from it, but there are many, many more. Most of the texts below are on breastfeeding -- on culture, politics and theory, and I want the anthropology and archaeology texts more than anything. I checked out Is Breast Best along with Motherwit, from the library a few weeks ago but ended up being entirely too busy and didn't get a chance to read them before they had to go back. Here are some titles that I want but haven't been able to get just yet. Have you read any of these and if so, what are your thoughts? What are you currently reading and what do you recommend? What's on your wishlist?  

    

     
   
   
   

Look for my review of these titles in the near future!

Breastmilk is 100% Love? WTF?

I came across some of what I consider to be the most offensive breastfeeding 'encouragement' bumper stickers I've ever seen. It's right up there with the 'Breast is Best,' saying -- one I have serious issues with, though I'm wondering which is worse. The first one "Breastmilk is 100% Love" obviously infers that providing breastmilk is the epitome of loving a child, and the second, "After all the proven benefits of breastfeeding, it's hard to believe some people still don't get it!" may be open to interpretation, that all mothers should breastfeed and society does not 'get' that, but judging from the theme of the site where I found these, I'm going to go out on a limb and say its creator relegates formula feeders as people who just don't have a clue. 

Aside from being completely asinine in their thinking, the makers of these couldn't be more wrong. First, they make it seem as if breastfeeding is simply the mechanics of putting a baby on a breast, only involves mother and baby and that there are no outside forces that interfere with rates in initiation and duration. And it absolutely blows my mind to think that someone would actually view breastfeeding as a marker of a woman's love for her child. Hell, both of them make my blood boil. Some people don't get that outside forces are the largest hinderances in breastfeeding disparities -- racism, class elitism, insularity, prejudice, white supremacy and a slew of others, including support from society, or excuse me, the lack of. I'd be interested in knowing when the creator of that message put in some time to dismantle the inequality that's rooted in many women's ability to 'get it' -- to get a baby to her breast, or how have they placed themselves in situations to combat injustice so the playing field is leveled. Breastfeeding is more than a baby and a tit. 

I want to work on increasing breastfeeding rates just as much as the next person, but it won't happen through falsities like the ones in these messages. I recognize that looking at the surface -- at why some women are and some are not breastfeeding is just that -- looking at the surface. And in order to get to a place where we can all have an equal opportunity and access to information and resources, we must understand that statements like this do nothing at working on what truly needs addressing -- changing the foundation, the structure. Once that's understood and smoothed out, then maybe we'll be able to make judgements on love and breastmilk. But I have yet to meet, or hear of a woman who does not love her child 100%, or who doesn't want the best for her baby -- whether the infant is at the breast or the bottle. Some people don't get that, apparently.

Animal Rights and Mother's Milk: Why aren't babies included?

This may be a controversial topic. Not because I'm trying to start any 'mess,' but because there's many a debate on what constitutes ethical eating -- what we should be eating, who has access, food justice, etc.

To be clear, I am not a vegetarian or a vegan. Anymore. Nor do I believe we were meant to be. But when I was 16, when I thought it could make a difference in preventing animal cruelty, I stopped eating meat -- a lifestyle I practiced for almost 10 years, and within that timeframe was a vegan for one. More recently -- just over a year ago, I decided to stop eating meat in an effort to raise my consciousness around food justice -- for humans. What that meant, and examining just who could practice this lifestyle that relegates consuming animals as barbaric and inhumane -- and connecting that with what I've found many people saying is a marker of colonialism (for some, at least). That journey lasted for about one year, when I realized that the vegetarian and vegan lifestyle does not constitute food justice. At least the way I see it. And looking at meat-eating along a single trajectory of animal rights, in my own opinion, is either ignorance of the overwhelming amount of poverty, ethnocentric in not taking into account the various reasons behind eating habits, or just a plain marker of privilege. People are eating (or not eating) for too many reasons.

But that's not the point of this post. Well, not exactly.

I always try and get people to recognize the importance of breastfeeding -- regardless of who they are. To see how they are affected by it whether they realize it or not, which is often the case, because my ultimate goal is to get them to see how they can effect change. Or at least be more aware.

I volunteered at camp for queer youth recently and stayed at the home of some of the organizers. There were four who lived in the house along many other guests -- who, I learned, mostly practiced the same eating habits. Most of them were vegetarian or vegan. Most were young, white and in my mind, privileged kids, who talked about the reasons behind their journey. To prevent animal cruelty. Of course I just can't keep my mouth shut when it comes to breastfeeding -- but to be fair, we all got into a conversation on what we 'did' for a living. I think they were kind people, who probably didn't want to candidly shut me up, so they listened. But during the conversation about their diets and the look on their faces when I told them that they indeed were affected by breastfeeding -- since none of them had any kids, I realized that animal rights and the desires to protect these animals from factory farming, or just being consumed, doesn't really seem to go beyond what adults are eating. Why are babies never included in the conversation when it comes to eating habits and vegetarianism -- especially in large organizations?

If someone believes rejecting certain foods from their diets will produce change towards the greater good in humanity -- or in this case, towards non-human animals, why do we not integrate this message when it comes to them -- to promote more breastfeeding -- especially among people who don't believe they are or can become involved? Why is veganism and animal rights centered around adult lifestyles? After all, infant formula is cow's milk.

I am not promoting vegetarianism or veganism at all. I am promoting breastfeeding. And though I do agree, like many others, that factory farming is undeniably inhumane, like I said earlier many people, communities and individuals are eating many different things for just as many reasons. I advocate practicing what people feel is best aligned with their moral, physical, social, cultural, spiritual and ethical beliefs. But these were just some thoughts.

         To posts. 

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