Wednesday, March 2, 2011

Milking It

"Breast is best", as you've probably heard about a bazillion times this year. (Even the IRS is getting in on the action, making breastfeeding paraphernalia a medical expense). And, that's just in general. You'd be surprised how often complete strangers have an opinion about how I should should be feeding my children; I've even had people congratulate me for nursing my twins. "Good for you," they say, as if it is any of their business.

Michael, on the other hand, has not been so supportive. The other day he walked in on me nursing both babies at once and said, with a sort of bewildered look in his eye, "That's really weird, Mom." Honestly, he is rather right. I do feel like something of a milk cow when I've got both babies having a snack at the same time.

I do think breastfeeding is a good thing, and I'm very grateful that I've been able to breastfeed my children without any significant problems. That said, I do think we are carrying our breast-milk-as-nectar-of-the-gods thing a little too far.

Exhibit A: a London ice cream parlor is selling ice cream made with human breast milk.* (Because what says "YUM!" more than a treat made from some strange woman's bodily fluids?)

Ick.

I'm not sure what is more disgusting - that the first batches sold out as soon as the product was launched, or that the owner of the ice cream parlor described the breast milk ice cream as "organic, free-range, and totally natural." I'm so glad to know the breast milk is free-range and that there aren't groups of women sitting in cages armed with nothing but bottled water and a Medela brand breast pump.

I'm not one to say no to a frosty treat, but in this case, I think I'll pass.

*Since I drafted this post, local government officials have removed the ice cream from the shop because of concerns about food safety. Thank heavens.

5 comments:

Dr. Mom said...

Wow! I'm speechless. I feel a little bit like David when he said he could feel his mouth drop open and there was no stopping it. This story takes first place in the wackiest and tackiest.

Sara said...

Wow. I'm all for breastfeeding as well, but that is taking it WAY WAY WAY too far.

Now - can you please tell me how to WEAN my before bed "snacker"?

fiona said...

Ewwwww! That is just gross! Who would have ever thought that was even a slightly good idea?

Nuala remembers the nursing days and now regularly tandem nurses baby dolls. She's always been of the opinion "one boob per kid". Except for a short period when she wanted to cut Bran off and have both. Which I'm sure you wanted to know.

By the way, even though it doesn't mean as much since I'm not a complete stranger, I want to say CONGRATULATIONS for nursing your babes. Good for you! ;) No, but really, good job :)

Aubrey said...

I am sick to my stomach from reading about that place. So disgusting!

kws said...

I'm not surprised that some weirdo would come up with the idea of making breast milk ice cream- it is, however, a bit of a shock that enough weirdos ate the stuff that it sold out. Ugh!