I recently got into an argument with a friend over whether or not children should be introduced to breastfeeding, mainly addressing little girls. My god-daughter was not breastfed due to the fact that her mother was not producing milk. As a result, her mother never speaks about breast feeding. I just erased a sentance stating that the fact that she was never breastfed was niether here nor there, but I just realized thats a crucial part to the story.

When my god-daughter grows up and asks about her childhood, her mother will never tell her a story regarding her breastfeeding her beautiful baby. Therefore, the act of breastfeeding will not be a conversation had until school brings it up (if they ever do), its seen via person or TV, or until she is preparing to have a child of her own. Due to this reason I decided to teach Elizabeth about breastfeeding using her baby doll as an example. She now knows the biological purpose of breasts and occaisionally feeds her baby doll via imaginary breast milk.

When my dear friend found out about this, she went crazy! She said I was confusing Elizabeth, and that it was an unnecessary lesson. I counterargued that confusion only occurs when things like this aren’t discussed in a open setting within the family.