Friday, February 13, 2009

Sharing the Wealth?

Salma Hayek breast feeds a one week old African Baby.

Have y'all seen the video? If not, I've provided the link.

I've decided to share because I wanted to get some thoughts on this - as well as share my own.

To be perfectly honest, my first, very first thought was, "Yuck." But in the very next second I thought, "Why not?"

If you had asked me if I would be willing to feed another baby while I was breastfeeding Baby Gurl or the Boy (7 or 11 years ago, respectively), I would have told you absolutely not! It's not that I thought it disgusting...but just weird.

This video, however, makes me rethink my position.

This is a child who is starving - whose mother cannot give him any milk. Selma feeds him. You can see him greedily suckling from her breast.

So, I guess my question to you is - do you think Selma did a gross or gracious thing?

And really, what are the implications of this? Could you imagine milk banks? We have blood banks. We have no issue at all with sharing our blood with those in need. What about our milk?

I wanted to give you something to think about this Friday morning - especially in light of the hardships occurring in the US right now.

Until next time...

11 comments:

  1. I think it is awesome. If you have the wealth to share, share it.

    I seen and had mixed feelings about it until I thought about it.

    I pumped for 8 months for JT and he only got 1 oz of it when he was 3 days old. My freezer was packed with it. If I would have known about donating it, which you can by the way, I would have.

    There are breast milk banks just like blood banks. There just aren't that many. You have to really research it to find one. I hope this goes through for some reason I have a hard time commenting your blog. It'll say duplicate action or something. Anyway, here goes.

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  2. I had a friend who lost a baby (stillbirth) and she pumped breastmilk and donated it to our local milkbank. And it was very therapeutic for her. I think it is a wonderful way to share something so valuable and help other babies get a good start in life.

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  3. Both comments came through just fine.

    I agree with you both. Now. Before - not so much.

    So, it makes me wonder..have I grown as a person since my opinion on this matter has changed?

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  4. (not sure if the first, partial comment came through...if so, please delete it Iva)

    I would have not considered it when I was nursing my babies 20+ years ago, but now I can see & know it is a gift only women can give. I would do it.

    I think as we mature, our selfishness diminishes. We can see outside our little box.

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  5. I think you're right, Kay. And I can just say - whoo hoo for maturing! :)

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  6. I've never had the priviledge to be a mommy, so, if I'm wrong I apologize.
    I think that the life of a child should come before anything else. I totally understand how one would be leary of this act. But feelings lie to us (that why it's always best to look at facts.) To the child, you've saved his life. This is Christ in action: showing affection and compassion to those less fortunate.
    God bless! ♥ ∞

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  7. I don't believe you're wrong at all, Sparky. And I love how you brought it full circle - a circle that many of us (me!) forget sometimes - it really is a CHRIST like thing to do if you're able.

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  8. When I first read this a couple of days ago on the news, I was offended, but since have changed my mind. I do not see anything wrong with it.

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  9. Thank you for being honest, Linda. Like I said, eleven years, I would have been totally grossed out. Now, I'm just not so sure.

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  10. In "years gone by" it was considered quite normal to have a nursemaid for your baby. How is this different? A hungry baby needs fed, if you can do that...why not?

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  11. Bizz,

    Wow! You did some searching in my blog. Thank you for checking it out!

    It has been two years since I've written this blog entry and my views are stronger now. I am convinced that feeding a baby, however you feed it, is not wrong; as long as you feed it.

    Thanks again, Bizz for visiting!

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