Sometimes I hear the weirdest reasoning from people... it makes me think that they are just repeating something they have heard. Because if they heard themselves saying what they are saying, they would realize they sound insane.
Regarding breastfeeding:
"He's almost one huh? Time to start weaning!"
- Now, I was guilty of this thinking also, before researching and following my own instincts. The doctors and lactation consultants in the U.S. recommend breastfeeding for at least a year. Yes, AT LEAST a year. But most mothers skip over the words "at least" and all they hear is "breastfeed until he is 1". The World Health Organization recommends breastfeeding for 2 years and beyond. Well, anyway, this isn't a post about the awesomeness of breastfeeding but let me tell you it sure is.
"Once the baby can ask for the milk, he should be weaned."
-So because he can communicate his needs, he no longer deserves it? Not logical. And kind of mean.
Regarding circumcision:
"I want him to look like his father."
-Will you also dye his hair if it isn't the same color as his dad's? I have no clue what my mother's vagina looks like and in no way,shape or form do I want matching vaginas with my mother!! Weird reasoning.
"His brother is circumcised so I'm just going to go ahead and circumcise him too."
-Same as the previous one, brothers do not need matching penises. I have 2 sisters. Ummm yeah, I'm sure all three of us are okay with not being identical down there lol.
"I don't want him to look different in the locker room."
-No one wants their child bullied. This may have been a reason to worry in the past but circumcision rates hit record low, 33%! That means that the majority of this generation is intact. Thank you, oh internet, for spreading information!
"I've heard there are benefits."
-Oh, you've heard. I've heard chupacabras exist. Do some research before putting your newborn through an elective surgery. As I said on my previous post, the doctors come in and tell you it's elective. For my 2 sons and once for my nephew, I have been in the room when they tell you this and have you sign a form saying you want it done. It isn't medically necessary in a healthy baby boy. Look at some research and studies, or sit down for a minute and think about this: the penis is an internal organ. The foreskin is there for a purpose. Without the foreskin, the head of the penis isn't protected and a lot of things can go wrong during circumcision. Hundreds of babies die every year in the U.S. from this elective surgery.
"He won't remember it."
-A baby shouldn't suffer because you think he won't remember it. MRIs have shown that the brain is permanently altered after circumcision.
And one that isn't often spoken out loud:
"My son's future wife/girlfriend will prefer him circumcised."
-How do you know that? That's about as sick as me injecting my daughter with hormones to make her boobs grow, or convincing her to get breast implants because men prefer big boobs. Female circumcision isn't accepted, and yet male circumcision is?
"It's cleaner."
-Vaginas have a lot more places to get "dirty"... sure, a circumcised vagina is easier to keep clean. Why don't you make an appointment to get it chopped up and save yourself the hassle of washing down there? Okay, sounds a bit extreme... doesn't it?
Regarding Cesareans:
"I've already had one, so I decided to get a 2nd c-section."
-It IS your body. But if the risk of uterine rupture is less than 1%, why go through MAJOR surgery if you don't have to. Yes, we are a society that is scared of birth. We see the mothers on t.v. screaming in pain that just want it done and over with. But we can do it, we can birth vaginally and naturally like our bodies were designed to do.The a-hole of a doctor I had with my second son kept trying to scare me into scheduling a second c-section, but it never made sense to me to go through that hell again. On purpose? Nope.
More and more natural parenting websites and groups are popping up. We are informing ourselves on birth and parenting. I have high hopes that things can and will change for the better. I know I have.
