Buzz Bishop: Daddy Buzz

Nov
16
2011

Breastfeeding is Slavery

In Defense of Nicolas Sarkozy

Before we dive into the deep end on this latest breastfeeding bombshell, you need to know my bias:

I'm pro-breastfeeding, but I can't stand the lactivists. My wife tried with both of our sons, but couldn't last longer than a few months. So, I agree that breastfeeding should be the first choice, but I will hardly parade, boycott, and hate on those who need to make another choice to suit their family's needs.

Here's the quote from Nicolas Sarkozy that has some nipples in a knot:

Mr. Sarkozy aired his views on breastfeeding while chatting to young mothers at a family benefits agency in south west France yesterday.
He said: 'Carla is feeding the baby. I think it's much better for protecting against allergies and illnesses. 'But the woman, it's both a joy and a kind of slavery.
'However it does free men of blame because we don't have the problem of bottle-feeding. You don't have to get up at night, although out of solidarity, I do open one eye.'  The president added: 'But you know, she is worried about not having enough milk.'

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Sarkozy has spoken the truth. While some may call breastfeeding a labour of love, for others it is a labour. It's obvious Mme Bruni is not having the easiest go of it, so it feels like a chore. I'll also join him in the admission of pretending to be sound asleep when the kids are crying in the middle of the night.

Want one more lie dads tell? "I can't smell anything."

Listen, we all love our kids. We all want them to grow up and be healthy and happy, but it's not always easy. My wife, in her struggles, would spend the time feeding and then double the time pumping trying to get enough milk for our sons. She said she felt like a dairy cow (her words, not mine).

Sarkozy has called a spade, a spade. He's gone Simon Cowell on the notion of breastfeeding and said what we're all thinking.

Sure, slavery is a little bit of a strong image to link to this topic, but I can tell you my wife felt chained to that Medela pump for nearly a year. It is what it is.

Do you have a problem with what he said? dadcamp
 

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