Monday, May 21, 2012

Breastfeeding in Uniform?

I'm an avid supporter of breastfeeding and I don't mind breastfeeding in public. However, I think there are things that just might cross the line. A female service member breastfeeding in uniform might be one. I'm not completely sure how I feel about it, I kinda have mixed feelings.


I think that when breastfeeding in public it should be done appropriately. If you have to wonder what is appropriate, then I don't have time to explain it lol

But I'm wondering if breastfeeding in public, in uniform, is really appropriate, even when covered up. I've always been told that when in uniform, service members are suppose to be professional at all times. Now, while I know that it just doesn't happen b/c there are some bad apples, I don't think that breastfeeding in uniform looks professional. I thought women who were breastfeeding were given time to pump throughout the day? I know I have seen female soldiers do it. (Well not seen, but I have been in the bathroom at the JAG office and heard it lol)

What are your thoughts on this topic? and what do you think of this picture? Professional pics of breastfeeding in uniform? (I personally see nothing wrong with the picture if that's what they want in their baby album lol)

((picture removed b/c apparently I "stole" it, even though it was all over FB lol... the picture had two female soldiers in it, in uniform...the one on the left was breasfeeding 2 babies and the one on the right was breastfeeding 1 baby - you can find the picture HERE))



This picture was brought to my attention this morning and I thought it would be a good topic for my page - *AWDIWH* - However, I am doing a blog post instead of posting it directly on the page b/c I know someone will report the picture if I do.

37 comments:

  1. I don't see the big deal. Baby needs to eat when baby is hungry, and it shouldn't matter what Mom is wearing when she feeds him/her.

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    1. I completely agree!!! A mom is MOM regardless of what she does for a profession or what uniform she wears.... even stay at home mom's have a "uniform", it may be sweatpants and a tshirt :) I can't believe this is even a debate!!

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    2. It's a complete disrespect to those men and women truly serving their country. The uniform is not meant for media whoring attention grabbers that seek fame or accolades for breast feeding. You're putting your own personal wants and desires a head of the military's needs. When you wear the uniform, you are directly representing the United States of America, and all of our military forces. This is why no one can make political appearances IN uniform, or show ANY endorsement while in uniform, without prior authorization from their chain of command.

      Women seek equality in the military, and then try to pull crap like this. Way to make a fool out of yourself. Tighten up your boot straps, shut up, and get back to work.

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    3. Breastfeeding is not a political issue. There is no crap. It is just two women in uniform feeding their children. This is not whoring for anything, and if they are "representing the United States of America" by breastfeeding, who cares? Do you suggest these women should go on break, change to civilian clothing, spend 20 - 40 minutes feeding their children, change back and then "tighten their boot straps and get back to work"?
      There isn't anything unamerican about breastfeeding, nor about being a woman soldier, nor about doing both simultaneously. Mothering and soldiering, are both very patriotic activities.

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    4. I'm not even against breastfeeding at all, nor did I call it a political issue. I'm not suggesting that they waste their break time by changing back into civilian clothing in order to feed their child. I am however suggesting that they A) Don't bring their children into the work place, or B) go to a private place to do your business. These idiots are using their status as military in an attempt to prove some kind of point about a personal belief, which in turn makes everyone look bad.

      It comes down to professionalism in the work place. They have the option to get out of the military when they get pregnant, instead they chose to continue their "service" while publicly sucking at the government's nipple in order to receive a pay-check, while accomplishing no work in the process. Mission comes first, any military service member knows this, and you DO NOT put yourself ahead of the military's / other service member's needs. They are undermining everything that the uniform stands for.

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    5. I bring my children to my work place all the time in my off time. I am in the military, and if I had to, yes I would breastfeed in uniform. The only difference is that I would find a quiet place.

      Women are not given an option to "get out" while pregnant. I suppose we could request due to hardship, but to imply that women shouldn't breastfeed while serving their country is the dumbest thing I have ever heard. Believe it or not, those women have a right to feed their child whatever way they choose, whether you like it or not.

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    6. Not sure why they think it's okay to breastfeed in their uniform. The way I see it, and I'm sure many Commanding Officers agree, that it is against the UCMJ Article 92. They are out of regulations when they wear their uniform wrong to breastfeed. Respect the uniform. Not that hard do it in private.

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  2. Go go a private place if you're gonna do it IMO that picture is a little much I don't think I would want my 12 and 5 year old walking up on this one! JS

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    1. I am sorry but all I see is cleavage. Can't hide your kids from all cleavege. I would rather my son and daughter see this cleavage than some skank tryin gto get attention.

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  3. I think its disrespectful to the uniform & flag, they're displaying. I'm all for bf, but this attempt at a 'bold' statement makes me really wonder how else the flag is disrespected by our military people.

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  4. I totally agree with teresa on this ... baby has to eat i rather see a woman in uniform feeding her child then to see one letting her baby cry in outbrust ... but the way the picture looks i do agree they should atleast have a blanket or something covering over them.

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  5. Breastfeeding is an amazing thing but i do not think her breast should be hanging out. women in the military already have so much to over come and i just see thisasking for a sexual harassment claim.

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  6. The picture is beautiful thanks to the mommas and babies and the NATURAL aspect of it all.
    A an Army wife and a breast feeding mother, I support these women and their RIGHT to breast feed, UNCOVERED, where ever they please.

    PS Disrespecting the flag and the uniform? How about violating WOMEN'S RIGHTS?

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    1. I agree that the picture is beautiful...especially for a baby book..showing the love and affection..the connection and intimacy that breastfeeding holds...I don't know if I would have it done professionally though out in the open like that... I would choose to have it done at home...that's just me lol

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  7. Beautiful picture! Baby's hungry, they have to eat! Why pump when they are right there with you? As a breastfeeding mommy and a veteran, I can say this is no way disrespects the military or the flag. They are just doing what's natural!

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    1. Agree 100%.... I think it's great to have these pictures so that their babies can be proud of their mommys! A mom is a mom regardless of their profession or what they are wearing!!

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  8. Just want to say thank you all so much for reading and taking the time to comment. I appreciate it =)

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  9. I personally don't think there's anything wrong or disrespectful ab it,it's a natural thing to do..I see it as this,if their command doesn't have a problem w/it than no one else should either!! Plus there's nothing in the UCMJ ab mother's not being allowed to breast fed in uniform..

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  10. Unbloused sleeves, obvious make-up in uniform, untucked shirts, showing ur mid-drift, being outside without a cover on their heads.. I could go on but these are just some of the uniform violations I see. If they are going to BF in public then it should be done properly within regulations. I think we are a lot more lenient on women in the military in general. And at times the envelope gets pushed a bit too far. Do whatever is best for their child(ren) but as soldiers we are all 'uniform' as to not stand out. Perhaps they misunderstand why we wear uniforms and follow regulations to begin with.

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  11. My name is Crystal Scott and I am the one who organized the Breastfeeding Campaign and the photo that you are using. I am not sure how you got it but I ask that you please take it down as you did not get permission to use this photograph. They are going to be used in our campaign and we would like to keep it that way. If you want permission to use it, then you need to write me at m2moffafb@gmail.com. And if you do NOT take it down, then I will seek someone who can and will. Thank you!

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    1. Crystal, this picture has been posted all over FB, that is how I found it. I was not trying to "steal" your picture. I will gladly remove it.

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    2. Hey! Ask her for permission - she invited you to! The photo is awesome, by the way, Crystal!

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    3. I'd rather just not have on there since she said on my page that I stole it when that was not my intention. So, thanks but that's alright.

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  12. Hey, if baby needs to eat, baby needs to eat! They don't care about uniforms!

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  13. "Unbloused sleeves, obvious make-up in uniform, untucked shirts, showing ur mid-drift, being outside without a cover on their heads.. I could go on but these are just some of the uniform violations I see. If they are going to BF in public then it should be done properly within regulations. I think we are a lot more lenient on women in the military in general. And at times the envelope gets pushed a bit too far. Do whatever is best for their child(ren) but as soldiers we are all 'uniform' as to not stand out. Perhaps they misunderstand why we wear uniforms and follow regulations to begin with."

    Yep. What a bunch of crap. Breastfeeding is wonderful, and I have been a Soldier and breastfed my 3 kids. But this is too far. It is all for attention. Any kind of in your face behavior while in uniform is wrong.

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  14. Ask yourself, would the picture offend you, had they been bottle feeding their child while in uniform?? No? Then the picture of them nursing shouldn't offend you either. I see it no different.

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    1. If they were bottle feeding in uniform with thier shirt up and breasts out then yes it would offend me.

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    2. Does victoria's secret offend you too?

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    3. You do realize you just compared the female soldiers to Victoria Secret half-naked models while in uniform, don't you? HENCE the reason they should either do it in private or just pump/bottle feed, not as a representation of females in the military.

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  15. HAHA y'all want to fuss about moms BFing in uniform as disrespecting the uniform and the flag. Yet you have soldiers doing alot worse than this. I would rather see a mother BFing then witness half the dumb mess I have seen while in uniform, and around post. SMH. I personally dont find anything wrong with it. Yes it could have been done a little move privately but it was for a campaign. Sorry but if my child is crying because they are hungry, my child comes first and they would get fed. rather in uniform or in civilian clothing. At least my baby is hollering and crying and then aggravating other people. Cause they the next thing you know you will have the people screaming "Female service members dont know how to be proper mothers" LMAO

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    1. It's not the issue with females BFing in uniform. It is the issue of doing it while still having respect for the uniform in general. There is an appropriate way to keep within regulations and BF. They are NOT being an example of this unfortunately. People are jumping on the BFing bandwagon as if it is some accomplishment. It is just a bodily function that has been done for millions of years and even a MONKEY could do it. I do not think I should give them some extra special privileges just because they made a personal choice to BF and do it in such a public manner. As a soldier we are not INDIVIDUALS and it is always put the greater good of the group before your own personal needs/wants. If this goes against their "beliefs" as a parent, they did have the option to chapter out when they got pregnant. Mission is always first. And using the uniform for some personal agenda/vendetta/cause they feel strongly about is FROWNED upon. If you feel the need to do so, do it on your off time. But always remember until you are no longer a service member you represent the military on/off duty and in/out of uniform. Period!

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  16. Thank you all for taking the time to read and comment =)

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  17. So many people have said "go someplace private to do your business" Are they feeding a child or taking a crap? "Do your busniess" implies that you are doing an unsanitary bodily function, which breastfeeding is not. Also, how many photos have you seen of a newborn baby laying on/in his daddys uniform/helmet/combat boots? How many maternity shots are done of the pregnant mama proudly wearing her husbands top with her belly showing between the buttons? And I know we've all seen the beautiful women posing in their undies with a uniform top barely covering her breast, yet no one complains that those photos are disrespectful do they?

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    1. What a military wife does with her husband uniform has no bearings on this argument. They did not sign on the line to be a service member. They are just someone's wife so the 'regulations' for proper uniform wear does NOT include them obviously. We are talking about two female service members who should know better then to wear their uniforms like this. I do not see how anyone can even argue about the regulations and standards that are expected while wearing their GOVERNMENT issued military gear. Your point is invalid since you basically are comparing apples to oranges. Do I think anyone should pose in someone's PC or with their SO's uniform blouse on? It is distasteful but no one can control what a family member does. However the military does have the right to control that service member's inappropriate actions while in uniform.

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    2. I happen to know the ladies in the photo and they had prior approval from their chain of command to take the photo in their uniforms. I will also add that even though they were approved, they were not endorsed by the Air Force meaning they did not receive and funding for the campaign. There is also AFI's protecting a nursing mother while in the AF. You are the one who needs to do your research.

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    3. Not sure what "research" I am suppose to do but I guess this hit a little bit closer to home then you would have liked. No one said the AF endorsed them but they are using their uniform to get some personal gain (which doesn't necessary always mean monetarily) out of it. If their COC approved it, well good for them that they decided to at least follow SOPs. No one has an issue with them BFing. Most people are not getting the point that using your uniform for some personal agenda or to promote a cause is typically frowned upon. If the AF is allowing them to use their uniform to promote BFing then I wonder what else they are going to allow people to promote all while in uniform. It isn't the issue of them feeding their babies, it is the issue of putting their needs above the greater good of their comrades. I now am getting a better idea of why the AF is so relaxed and so proudly called the "chair force". What a sad way to represent other females in the military and please don't forget to scream and cry for equality. It just makes a bad name for all other females who serve by showing how we use our gender to get attention and our way all the time.

      SN: I do know MANY females who BF their children while serving their countries, but not once did they have to do it in such a PUBLIC manner, in such a PUBLIC FORUM, or do it just to bring attention to themselves. Those are the females that I am proud to say I serve beside.

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