Sesame Street Breastfeeding: Moms Push To Bring Nursing Back To TV Show

Before "Sesame Street" was hosting the likes of Katy Perry, Michelle Obama and Emma Stone, the acclaimed children's television show was home to other more frequent guest stars -- breastfeeding moms.

During the 1970's and '80s, the show frequently featured women nursing. The main grown-up characters would explain the concept to the Muppets and younger characters, for the audience's benefit. Like in this clip, from 1988. Maria, who has been played by Sonia Manzano since 1974, tells a young girl, "She's drinking milk from my breast." When another Sesame kid asks whether that's the only way she can feed baby Gabriella, Maria says:

Oh no, sometimes I feed her this way and sometimes I feed her with a bottle ... But you know, I like this way the best. It's natural, it's good for her and I get a chance to hug her some more.

However, since the 1990's, breastfeeding has been noticeably absent from "Sesame Street." Care2 reported on how they have replaced nursing with bottle-feeding. Exemplifying this push for more puritanical imagery (a change from the "hippie parents" of yesteryear), the song "You're My Baby" which originally aired on the show in the '70s and included a clip of a woman breastfeeding, was updated in the '90s to be breast-free.

Following a recent wave of media attention surrounding women and breastfeeding -- women staged a nurse-in at Target stores on December 28th, several breastfeeding flash mobs took place in the UK, and ongoing "lactivism" -- mom blogger Lani Michelle posted an open call urging "Sesame Street" to bring the breast back. Another mom piggybacked off of Michelle's call-to-action and launched a formal petition.

In an email to Care2, Michelle explained her motivation for speaking out:

Women breastfeeding are the images we want to show to our sons and daughters, so that they will view a woman's body as more then a sexual object. That's the only way we will see a change in future generations. My hope for this is that all moms, however they chose to feed their babies, come together and support one another.

All of these campaigns call for the normalization of breastfeeding. In a country where public figures tweet about how public breastfeeding is "nasty," and women are kicked out of courtrooms, buses and planes for feeding their children, we're clearly not there yet. Maybe that breastfeeding doll was a good idea after all.

WATCH: More clips of breastfeeding on "Sesame Street"

Comments

[miche1432]

04:11 PM on 01/25/2012

breastfeeding is normal...freaking out about it is not. i intend to breastfeed my children, most likely just past the point of getting teeth. as for all the people who think its gross, YOU were breastfed most likely. medical reasons that you can't? fine, im sorry that you have to deal with that and i wish you the very best. the ones who dont want to because it will make their breasts saggy or look bad, grow up. we have to be so PC that we can't be normal anymore

[georginaobryan]

02:06 PM on 01/20/2012

My daughter was only a little bigger than this child. She was 2.5 lbs when she was born and looked very similar, going down to 1.25 lbs after birth. It took 6 weeks to get her up to 3 lbs and then we were able to take her home. She had a blood tranfusion while in NICU. They did a great job. She's now 6 years old and healthy. Her only problem is Autism but that had nothing to do with her early birth. As far as breastfeeding. I extracted colustrum and some milk for a few weeks, to buid her immune system and then she got formula, which had more vitamins and was thicker for faster growth. I pretty much formula fed all my kids and don't regret it. I think that's just a personal choice and in some instances, as necessary as breastfeeding is at times. No right or wrong.

[jenneli]

10:49 AM on 01/23/2012

How amazing and strong you were! That must have been such a scary time, and it's so encouraging to hear that your daughter is thriving as a healthy 6 year old. I did want to note the misconception in your post -- while formula is "thicker", breastmilk does contain more vitamins and brain and body building fats and other components. http://www.bcbabyfriendly.ca/whatsinbreastmilkposter.pdf is a good reference. The most important thing, however, is that babies are loved with their bellies full

[georginaobryan]

12:38 PM on 01/23/2012

In my case, I've always been low in iron, therefore, if I breastfed, the child would not receive all the proper nutrition necessary. The most important is the colustrum, after that, it really depends on the mother's intake. My husband's ex-wife was not providing enough for their 2nd son and the doctor insisted she give him formula. It's not always the most beneficial, with the exception of the colustrum.

[tmjennings]

09:53 AM on 01/16/2012

To all the breastfeeding Mom's... Please don't lecture me for not breasrfeeding my child. Due to medical reasons I was unable to. Everytime your start your lecture my heart breaks a little more, so PLEASE think before you speak. I did what was healthiest for my child just as you are for yours.

[sarahquinn 22]

12:23 PM on 01/17/2012

Unfortunetly the breastfeeding community has had to put their dukes up do to the anti-breastfeeding community. From what you have said I don't believe you are in this "anti" group. I feel for you and as a breastfeedin mother I don't know your pain and I am grateful for that. Stay strong, know that you are doing what you had to do, and don't take negative comments to the heart.

[Lisa Marie Van Laeken]

02:53 AM on 01/22/2012

In absolute honesty, when I lecture other moms for not breast feeding, it's because my impression is that they just didn't want to. When a mom tells me she didn't breast feed because she COULDN'T for medical reasons, it's like oh okay well that's understandable. They tried, the baby got colustrum, but then it stopped working. I'm proud of you for trying! But then I think of all the moms I know who didn't breast feed because they weren't encouraged to even try, or because they thought it was gross. I knew a mom from California who's doctor actually told her that formula was just as good as breast milk. I wanted to slap that doctor. But what really pisses me off is lazy mothers who formula feed and just lay the kid down in the crib with a bottle and leave the room. Feeding time is VERY important time for breast fed and formula fed babies. It's time for closeness, comfort, and support. I breast fed my daughter and would sit and cuddle with her and read to her, or listen to music with her, my sister did the same thing with her first born, even though she was formula fed (due to medical reasons) Don't let other moms get you down. We're all out to judge each other so we can feel better about ourselves. I have my flaws as a parent too.

[Jessica Speck]

02:36 PM on 01/22/2012

Lisa,
You said ti yourself, you have flaws as a parent. You shouldn't be lecturing ANYONE about breastfeeding. It is a very personal decision and many moms agonize over what is best for them and for their baby. I knew in advance that my very sensitive breasts would make breastfeeding unbearably painful. But I did it anyway for six horrible weeks. In that time, I didn't bond with my baby, I had severe postpartum depression, and got an hour or more less sleep a night than I could because I had to pump milk every four hours. Once I gave up breastfeeding, my life got so much better. And there are plenty of moms I know who just couldn't do it for one reason or another. It's lactation Nazis like you who made us feel like lesser moms for doing what we had to do. Breast milk may be best, but my dad, who has a PhD and works as a dean for a major university, was bottle fed as an infant and he turned out just fine. So lay off!

[Lady Elle]

03:42 PM on 01/14/2012

I nursed my children... for approximately 15 months. At this point children have teeth and you are no longer their sole source of food. I was always discreet. I made sure that I could see my baby (if necessary) and my baby could see me. Most did not know what I was doing.

Now I am seeing women fighting for the right to nurse kids that are pre-school age (3-4). It certainly is okay to do so... I do not believe it should be in a public place (restaurant, playground).

There are women in restaurants with kids (3-4) that demand she whip it out and let them use her breasts as a pacifier. Nothing discreet! Mind you the kid has likely eaten something ordered from the menu. This is in my opinion... way different. Nobody needs to see this... except her and her family. IMO it is likely they don't want to see it either. ** shrugs **

[Helema Alkaabi]

09:37 AM on 01/15/2012

we are fighting more for the right to nurse without harassment period. most of us are a to age two group though some are a to self wean age group. there are people that even attack mothers for nurseing, i mean physically. others throw them out of establishments for it and even court rooms. in most cases they wouldnt of known that it was taking place unless thye were right up in the womans face and stareing or asking what shes doing.

[jsggrover]

09:32 PM on 01/20/2012

It is different for babies to be nursing. If a child can walk up and ask to be nursed, there is an issue. I don't believe if a child can walk up and ask to be nursed, it should not be done at a table in a restaurant or anywhere else. You are NOT providing the sole nourishment for your child. You should understand that people who DO NOT have children have rights as well. Just because you are comfortable with something doesn't mean someone else is. I am sorry if you've felt as if you've been harassed or attacked. You should not judge the group based on the actions of a few. I'm not sure if you've been physically attacked. If you have been, then you should have called the police. If someone physically attacks you, then you have rights. If someone has given you a dirty look, then you should ignore them. Who cares what they think of you? They don't pay your bills. They aren't responsible for taking care of you or your child, so forget them. I wonder if the 'attacks' have been people actually doing something or what you've perceived as a threat. Maybe it is your inner voice telling you something. I dont' know. Look at yourself and take care of your self. Quit worrying about what other people think or you are going to have a miserable life.

[c8edid]

09:33 AM on 01/14/2012

Sesame Street was, in fact, promoting breastfeeding by showing women doing it on TV. We can all cringe or feel uncomfortable when a woman nurses in public or on TV, but really it's because our media teaches us that breasts exist for only sexual purposes. I'd much rather have my kids see breastfeeding moms on TV than whatever pop starlet of the week showing off her cosmetically enhanced cleavage.

[Annie VerSteeg]

12:14 AM on 01/14/2012

As a kid (in the 60s), I went to a farm camp where counselors openly breastfed their infants. It all seemed quite normal. All the other farm mammals nursed their young too. Why is this even an issue?

[archarabia]

05:31 PM on 01/12/2012

I'm also amazed to hear so much criticism of nursing, yet I read other articles in which both men AND women defend companies' rights to plaster pornographic lingerie ads on billboards and in other public places where children are exposed to them. To get to Stride Rite @ South Shore Plaza near boston, u have to pass Victoria's Secret, with their delightful pin-up posters in the display. No one's protesting that, maybe because it's so fun and arousing to look at, unlike nursing. I agree with being discreet, but if you're going to hassle a nursing mom, your store better have a dress code for lightly dressed women,

[archarabia]

05:20 PM on 01/12/2012

How sad that nursing has become an activist issue. Back in the day, this was a moot point because nursing was the ONLY way to feed the baby, and those who couldn't hired a wet-nurse. In pre-formula days, a woman nursing was as natural as going to the market or doing housework, it was a natural part of daily life that people took for granted.

[favoramber]

11:41 PM on 01/11/2012

Taking a crap is natural too, that doesn't mean everyone wants to see it, or learn about it on sesame street. If you want to breastfeed, fantastic but it's not getting anyone mom of the year so I wish some moms would stop being so in-your-face about it.

[kmburdette]

11:34 AM on 01/12/2012

Stop being so in your face about it - I agree with that. Breastfeeding should be a non-issue. Mothers should be free to breastfeed with tact and discretion, no need to make a big show of it. And breastfeeding should be a natural part of ANYTHING having to do with babies - articles on health, advice to new mothers, educational material including children's television shows, etc. The real issue and problem is that breastfeeding is any sort of issue or problem.

[Annie VerSteeg]

12:18 AM on 01/14/2012

Really? You are comparing taking crap to Breastfeeding??? What is wrong with feeding a baby in public?

[KKS278]

04:31 PM on 01/19/2012

Hopefully they mean, not so literally in your face. I don't mind at all, just cover up with a blanket. I was able to breast feed my baby for a month until I couldn't produce milk anymore so I think it is great if the mother can do it. I just don't really want to see other womens breasts out for display.

[smartypants33]

05:25 PM on 01/11/2012

Wow people have gotten insecure. So let me get this straight I'm not supposed to be offended when I see womens tits and asses all over everything media but I should be offended by someone feeding their baby or be embarassed to do so? The ones who thinks its gross are the ones who are uncomfortable but still do a double take to look at boobs not the baby. These people disgust me. Pretty soon they will expect robots to raise children, that is if anyone continues to procreate at all being so self absorbed. Maybe they should think about whether they want breast fed babies turned grown adults to take care of their asses when their old or if they want a robot to do that too!

[debi65]

03:29 PM on 01/11/2012

My mother used to whip out her breasts to feed my siblings at home and it seemed very natural. It's not like she walked around with her breasts hanging out - but she would sit on the couch and feed her babies without being self conscious. However; she always used a blanket in public. I appreciated her relaxed way of breastfeeding when I became a mother. It was never a question of whether I would breastfeed. It was natural, it was nurturing and it was healthier for my children. It was also easy because I had seen her do it so many times. Many women have problems feeling comfortable with breastfeeding and give up because it isn't easy for them. I didn't have that problem. I nursed my son until he was 2 1/2. It was a very comforting time for him and I believe he realized then that it was one time when he had me to himself and didn't have to share my attention with his sisters.

I know that my mom's way of feeding her children in our home may not have be comfortable for everyone. But I sure do appreciate how at ease it made me and how natural it felt in our home. Womens breasts have stigma attached to them - but their purpose wasn't to entertain others; it was to feed our children. Biology dictates that - and that is not gross! I feel sorry for people who can't get that through their tiny

[nixxle1]

02:07 PM on 01/11/2012

I can only say I support breastfeeding unconditionally. I am saddened our culture has become one where only the fringes fight oversexualization, but the masses push back on breastfeeding as inappropriate in public or on tv.

[matics101]

01:12 PM on 01/11/2012

The people saying that breastfeeding is "gross" must be 10 years old - especially the guys, who will probably do some breastfeeding themselves if a woman ever lets him touch her.

This conversation really is ridiculous; how are we, as a society, more progressive than ever, and people are barking about something like this? No wonder our kids are so screwed up and impossible nowadays; they don't know that french fries come from potatoes, let alone that milk comes from mammary glands (you don't know how badly I wanted to say "titties"); they don't want to eat meat off of a bone because they don't want to know that they're eating Bambi and Thumper; they're ignorant about the sociohistorical forces that shape(d) our culture because "we" want to edit Huckleberry Finn, yet those doing the editing - and the kids who "benefit" from it - are the ones to cry about playing the "(insert -ism) card".

I've gone off track, but honestly, this breastfeeding "uproar" is symptomatic of a larger issue wherein our society doesn't want to deal with ANYTHING, and "we" especially don't like to bother explaining things to our kids that make "us" uncomfortable. It's freaking breastfeeding for goodness sake! Many (if not most) of us were breastfed, it's natural, most women cover it up because they don't want their business flashed in front of everyone anymore than the naysayers see it, so on and so forth.

Get over it :-)

[kmburdette]

11:39 AM on 01/11/2012

I think the really sad and gross thing is that many women choose to NOT breastfeed because of stupid stories and "controversies" like this. Steve, "gross" guy, get a clue. If breastfeeding were as promoted to new mothers as formula is, kids in general would be much more healthy. One wonders how human beings survived all those thousands of years without C-sections and formula.

[mschan]

11:14 AM on 01/11/2012

its "gross" to feed a human from the body of another human, but not gross at all to feed humans from the t!t of an animal i.e. milk...hmmmm yeah that makes a lot of sense.