Every month I am highlighting an empowering woman. This month it is:
Alyssa Milano
Alyssa Milano came to fame playing Phoebe Halliwell on
Charmed. Phoebe was an advice columnist who once channeled Lady Godiva and rode
naked on horseback in San Francisco to protest against a restaurant owner’s
treatment of her sister when she was breastfeeding her baby. I find this
interesting considering this is a fight Alyssa has fought in real life.
She has two children and has openly discussed
breastfeeding, something that all women do to nurture their babies and give them
life. Once, her breast milk was thrown out by airport security. “Every ounce of
milk I’m able to produce for my child is nothing short of a miracle, and to
watch that milk be thrown away without any regard for my baby was
heartbreaking.”
Public breastfeeding has become a hot topic of debate
lately with people strongly being on one side or another. For or against.
Alyssa has raised a question: "why it’s okay to show a photo of Miley Cyrus
wearing only two suspenders covering her breasts, but it’s not okay to share
images of nursing mothers."
She also pointed out how breasts have been sexualized away
from their natural purpose. “Biologically, they’re not made for sexual things,
that’s what we’ve done to them.”
Alyssa has argued against even using a blanket to cover up,
prompting if you’d eat under a blanket and adding that women shouldn’t have to
hide their nursing babies.
She’s famously shared her breastfeeding journey with her
kids on Instagram.
“When I post pictures of me breastfeeding Bella, it’s not that I’m trying to be very outspoken about breastfeeding, it’s that it’s a very special moment in my life.”
QUESTIONS: Did you ever watch Charmed? It was one of my favorite shows. What do you think of breastfeeding in public?
Inspiring Song:
I still watch Charmed. The reruns are on cable in the morning. I first remember her from Who's The Boss. She was great in that too. I've also seen her in a Castle episode. A wonderful actress and I love that she stands up for her beliefs.
ReplyDeletesherry @ fundinmental
Yes, she was a bride on a Castle episode. I saw that one...which was the only Castle episode I ever saw. haha
DeleteI have no problem with breasts in public. I should probably just stop there.
ReplyDeleteHAHAHA! Too funny.
DeleteSeen Charmed and Who's The Boss. I have no problem with breasts in public at my zoo. I probably shouldn't expand on that view lol
ReplyDeleteYou and Alex. Oh boy. Well, I bet most men feel the same way. lol
DeleteI used to watch Charmed. Now I only catch the occasional rerun.
ReplyDeleteAs for breastfeeding in public, I feel that's a personal choice/decision to be made by the individual, and the rest of society should just stay out of it. But I feel that way about a lot of things.
I have all of the Charmed seasons on DVD and still do marathons. :)
DeleteYES! I love that, MJ. More people need your attitude. ;)
I'm old...I remember her first from Who's the Boss.
ReplyDeleteI breastfed all my kids. I did use a blanket because I never wanted to flash my boobs to the world. I can understand why they had to throw the breast milk out. The guidelines say no fluids, so they can't really start making exceptions. And the great thing about breast milk is there is always more on tap- especially if you're not queasy about nursing in public.
That's true, but still...I think breast milk is harmless. There are mother's who can't breast feed and some seek out milk donors. So it's sad when you think about how the milk was wasted like that.
DeleteNever watched the show, but am familiar with the actress. Breast fed both of mine. Doesn't bother me for mom's to breast feed anywhere. Once the baby is latched on, there is really nothing to see, yet I always preferred to use a light covering when out of the house. I wanted the privacy for the same reasons she said she posted pictures. To me it was a private, intimate, beautiful time between just me and my child.
ReplyDeleteCaneyhead: My Handsome Man
I would also want a little privacy for myself with a light covering over me, but not my baby.
DeleteI'm really enjoying the responses so far. This post is creating a neat discussion. :)
I never watched Charmed. Like the other males here, I do enjoy a good breast or two. Preferably two. And I really don't care if women breastfeed in public. A baby's got to eat. I carry protein bars in my pocket for if I get hungry on the fly. I don't see how that's much different.
ReplyDeleteI truly love the responses of the men in this thread. That's what we need to do from now one...if there's ever a debate about breastfeeding in public, just ask men what they think! :P
DeleteI've never watched Charmed.
ReplyDeleteI certainly don't care if women breastfeed in public. I can't say what I'd personally do since I'm not a mom, but I think whatever a nursing mom is comfortable with is what she should do.
I think that's what should matter most...if the nursing mom is comfortable. And is she is, then let he be. :)
DeleteHaven't seen Charmed, so I can't "charm in." Sorry. That was bad. However, I don't see why there's even a question about breastfeeding in public. It's a natural human event. Most women prefer privacy just because it's a nice time to be alone with the infant. Here's to more empowering women.
ReplyDeleteAlyssa has appeared on the Wendy William's show and they discussed breastfeeding in public. Wendy was dead-set against it. Their debate was interesting.
DeleteI'm one million percent pro-BFing in public. It really saddens and angers me when so many of my friends in the online skeptical community bash these women and claim they're doing it to get some kind of gold medal, act like sanctimommies, or make it harder for formula feeding moms to get respect. It's how babies are designed to be fed, and breastmilk is nutritionally better than formula. That's not supposed to denigrate those women who are incapable, for whatever reason, of nursing. I've honestly heard these people say nastier things about BFing advocates (and advocates of natural childbirth) than I've ever heard anyone in the mainstream crunchy community say about women who went right to formula and birthed in hospitals!
ReplyDeleteI'm very different from most. I think breastfeeding in public is fine. And I think breastfeeding is natural. If I did breastfeed, I'd only cover myself, not my baby. But...I've always known I wouldn't want to breastfeed, but I would use my milk first, then formula.
DeleteAmericans have such a different view of nudity than Europeans. Not sure how I feel. I know I wouldn't have exposed myself in public.
ReplyDeleteI would cover myself up, that's for sure.
DeleteI was hooked on Charmed because of my daughter.
ReplyDeleteCharmed was an awesome show.
DeleteNever did watch Charm and don't mind public breastfeeding. I remember my mother telling me that when she was a girl, it was common to see women in church feeding their babies and it seems natural (I wonder if the formula folks isn't responsible for the bad publicity on breast feeding?)
ReplyDeleteI'm not sure where the bad publicity came from.
DeleteI don't really have an opinion. My mother is of the cover with a blanket persuasion. (It's what she did with my brother and me.) Just yesterday there was a woman with her newborn. And I wouldn't have even thought of that again if you hadn't mentioned it today.
ReplyDeleteWell, that's good. :)
DeleteThey threw her breastmilk out?? I understand if it is regular milk or juice but this is just for her kids and women have said that sometimes they need to have their breastmilk around when they can't use their own boob. I have had clients come in and while they are discussing their deep debt issues, the woman pulls out her breast and the kid latches on. Now this happens just when I am ready to tell them that they may have to sell their home or go bankrupt so I naturally lose my gran of thought. I guess I am a prude in some ways. I found it distracting...I am not one for seeing this when I am out for dinner either. I commend her right and her beliefs but I find that it does distract me unless I'm at the beach or shopping for clothes In a mall. For some reason, that doesn't bother me:) in Europe, they have been doing this for decades and it's no biggie
ReplyDeleteIt would be distracting if a strange woman started breastfeeding her child in the middle of a professional meeting. I would personally be more discreet about it.
DeleteLoved both the read and the music.
ReplyDeleteYvonne.
Thanks, Yvonne!
DeleteCame to fame on Charmed?! *gasp* What about Who's the Boss? :)
ReplyDeleteThough not all mothers breastfeed, for a multitude of reasons, I feel those who do should feed their babies wherever and however they like. If it were me, I'd probably still cover up because of all the prying, judgemental eyes. It takes courage to breastfeed openly, which is a sad statement on our society. In short, I agree with her. :)
Well, I didn't watch Who's the Boss. LOL
DeleteI would do the same as you.
I watched Charmed in reruns, like most shows from my working days. I breastfed all of my boys in the 70's and did not care what folks thought in public. I did not cover them with a blanket. Folks who have a problem with this surely have many issues to deal with.
ReplyDeleteI agree.
DeleteI remember her from Who's the Boss and Charmed. Loved her in both and had no idea she was such a strong advocate for breast feeding. I have no problem with freedom of choice. :-)
ReplyDeleteAnna from elements of emaginette
"I have no problem with freedom of choice." Great way to put it!
DeleteI breastfed my daughters and I think it's the healthiest method for everyone involved and also just full of sweet moments of memories. I'm so thankful that breastfeeding was encouraged when I had kids and so thankful for my husband for being supportive (not everyone in our family was, but he supported and that mattered most).
ReplyDeleteIt surprises me that anyone could be unsupportive when it comes to breastfeeding, or even formula feeding. It's a choice, after all, that only involves the mother and her child, no one else.
DeleteI liked Charmed best when Shannen Doherty was on the show; although I like Rose McGowan and think she's very talented, I didn't like her character on the show. As far as breastfeeding goes, I think women should do whatever they want, whether it's cover themselves up or not. I must admit, though, that if I ever have kids, I'll cover myself up when I breastfeed; I just have this slightly irrational fear that someone will take pictures of me and then my chest will end up on the Internet.
ReplyDeleteI do like Shannen, but I didn't like her character. I liked how the show evolved with Paige. But I loved Charmed either way. :)
DeleteI've never seen 'Charmed' but I remember her from 'Who's the Boss'. I believe in modesty.
ReplyDeleteI'm so surprised to hear how many people say they have never seen Charmed. It was and still is my favorite show.
DeleteGood choice for an empowering woman, Chrys. I have not watched Charmed. Somehow I missed that when it was on the networks. Is it still in reruns or on Netflix? I'd like to check it out. I breasfed both my babies in public. There was no other way unless I wanted to remain house bound. I always through a 'receiving blanket' over my shoulder to cover the boob...but I still would get glares from old men. No kidding. I just ignored them. It felt like the most natural thing in the world, so I wasn't going to even acknowledge anyone who thought differently. I guess that was my way of coping.
ReplyDeleteThere are reruns. I don't know if it's on Netflix, but it should be easy to find some way to watch the seasons.
DeleteI love your stance. Yup, just ignore them. :)
I see I made a very funny typo. Through should be threw---LOL
ReplyDeleteLOL!
DeleteShe's amazing and admirable. One of the prettiest faces on screen plus she's empowering. Thanks for featuring her.
ReplyDeleteShe is all of that. :)
DeleteI wish we could undo society's twisting on the purpose of the body, but unfortunately, that would take generations to pull off. In the meantime, I'm pulled both directions because I have sons. And a husband. Nursing is the most natural thing in the world, but I do feel it's a private thing between mother and baby. I wouldn't feel comfortable doing it in front of my teens.
ReplyDeleteI wish the same. And I would feel uncomfortable nursing in front of teen boys as well.
DeleteCharmed was one of my favorite shows for years! I admire Alyssa. I'm lucky to live in a progressive town where moms breastfeed openly, and I did so with my son. Though the rest of the state isn't so tolerable!
ReplyDeleteMine too! I still do marathons because I have all of the seasons. :)
DeleteI'm a fan of Alyssa too, although I didn't watch her in Charmed, I watched her on Who's The Boss. I'm not sure why breastfeeding is such a taboo thing in our society. It's the most natural way for a baby to eat.
ReplyDeleteElsie Amata
I don't know why it's a taboo either.
DeleteI've never seen charmed and, being a mother of two, I've never had issues with breast feeding in public. I did cover up, like Elizabeth in the comments, but that's just because I'm not a boob-flasher either. Not that I have a lot to flash, but hey.
ReplyDeleteHowever a mother wants to go about feeding her child, I'm good with it. As long as that baby is getting the food s/he needs.
YOU have never seen Charmed? I thought you would've not only seen it but been a fan. :O
DeleteShe is one amazing and empowering woman. Good choice.
ReplyDeleteThanks.
DeleteShe is a brilliant woman! I use to watch her on Charmed! For me, breast feeding is private, but if I saw a woman breast feeding her child, it would not matter to me!
ReplyDeleteI like that. If only everyone felt the same way.
Delete