10 Reasons Why Breastfeeding and Urinating are NOT THE SAME

Every time I think the world has finally calmed its tits about breastfeeding in public, another story hits the media and the planet goes mad again. My Facebook and Twitter feeds end up full of people bickering and then lo and behold someone makes a comment like:

“Yeah, it’s natural, but so is urinating and you don’t see me doing that in public, lol.”

There’s always a “lol” because omg that’s sooooo funny and original and nobody has ever said that before, ever. </sarcasm>

There is no comparison between breastfeeding and urinating. NONE. They are in no way, shape or form the same thing. Two completely different bodily functions, two completely different purposes.

statues-of-women-carved-into-stone

For the small minority of people who need a lesson in biology some help understanding this here is a list of 10 reasons why breastfeeding and peeing are NOT THE SAME:

1. Because breastmilk is food, pee is not

Breastmilk is a complete nutrition source. Urine has little to no nutritive value. NOT THE SAME. Even if your name is Bear Grylls.

2. Because breastfeeding is not unhygienic, unlike pee

Urine might be a sterile by product but it picks up viruses, bacteria and fungi as it exits the body. Breastmilk, on the other hand, contains immunologic agents to protect against bacteria, viruses and even parasites. NOT THE SAME.

3. Because pee is a waste product, breastmilk isn’t

Humans excrete urine to get rid of soluble toxic wastes. Humans produce milk to feed their infants. NOT THE SAME.

4. Because peeing in public is deemed unacceptable by all first world countries, breastfeeding isn’t

In all first world countries peeing in a public place without a suitable receptacle is illegal, however breastfeeding in public is legal AND protected in the majority of the world. NOT THE SAME.

5. Because breastmilk can sustain life, pee cannot

If you were desperate, you could drink your pee as it does have some trace vitamins and minerals. You’d be risking exposure to all sorts of nasties though and I doubt you’d survive very long on pee alone. Breastmilk on the other hand is the sole food source for the first 6 months of many babies’ lives. NOT THE SAME.

urinating breastfeeding not the same

6. Because breastfeeding in public is perfectly legal, peeing in public isn’t

Here in the UK, breastfeeding in public is not just legal, it is protected by the Equality Act 2010. Peeing in public however could land you in court. NOT THE SAME.

7. Because breastfeeding is a beautiful act of comfort and nourishment, peeing is not

A sweet little baby, so pure and innocent, being comforted and fed: wonderful. A grown-up taking a wazz in the street: the opposite of wonderful. NOT THE SAME.

8. Because when babies are hungry, they can’t wait. You can wait to pee

When a baby is hungry, it needs to be fed. It can’t and won’t wait. A healthy adult can wait to pee. NOT THE SAME.

9. Because peeing in public is a potential public health hazard, breastfeeding isn’t

We’ve already established that pee is waste and milk is food. If urine isn’t disposed of properly, it can grow pathogens and toxins. NOT THE SAME.

And finally…

10. Because you don’t eat your lunch in the same place that you pee

This one speaks for itself. They are simply NOT THE SAME.


Are we all clear on this now?



Mummascribbles

39 comments

  1. All so true! They are in no way comparable, great post :)

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  2. So true, hope lot's of people see this! x
    Freya's Fashion Chapter

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  3. Well said and articulated, Sian! Love how your blog has evolved as a mother(your children are extremely blessed & fortunate indeed:)

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    1. That's such a lovely thing to say, thank you xxx

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  4. Whoever compares the two together needs to take a long hard look at that themselves and realize how hypocritical they sound!http://www.fadedspring.co.uk/

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  5. Not the same at all....Seriously though people who think they are need their head looking at. x

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    1. Don't they just! I see it so often though, even from friends of mine! Shocking x

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  6. Well said! who the hell would every suggest that it was honestly these people just boggle my brain!! x

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  7. Go, go, go woman, you tell them! I can't stand the pee / breastfeeding comparison ... super lazy nonthinking comment.

    Thanks for putting this lovely list together. Would be lovely to having you on the #BreastfeedingandI linky :-)

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    1. Ooh yes I will pop along to your linky too!x

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  8. Great post! Though I'm not quite sure about the being able to wait to wee point...

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    1. Maybe there are exceptions for if you've had a human being rip through your pelvic floor ;) xx

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  9. Great post and so completely true! Some people come up with such ridiculous stuff it just pees me off! Thanks so much for linking up with #TwinklyTuesday

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  10. Here here! I breast fed my baby until she was 13 months old and don't understand the fuss surrounding breast feeding. Luckily things are changing and it is definitely becoming more accepted. I just brazen it out anyway and will definitely be doing so again next time round xx

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    1. "Brazen it out" love that! Good for you! x

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  11. Fab post!!!!!!! Love it!! You've written it so well and it's all so true. It really flipping infuriates me! x

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  12. I am sure some people do not think before they open their mouths and spout that nonsense! I cannot see any possible way it is the same

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    1. I agree but some others are just out to be wind up merchants x

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  13. Great post! I love your writing style, makes me just want to keep on reading!! Some people are so ridiculous! x

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  14. Well said! The title of your post intrigued me - and you are so right! Kaz x

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  15. This is brilliant! So well written and completely true. I tried to explain this to someone who tried to make this 'point' in the comments of a Guardian article once, and *my* comment got deleted because I used the correct term for male genitalia (didn't even swear, as much as I felt like it!) They're the ones that brought up piddling in the street, not me. *sigh*

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    1. Oh how daft! Isn't it funny the things that are and aren't allowed! x

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  16. excellent. I have never heard of anyone so boldly ignorant to claim that breastfeeding in public was comparable to peeing in public but I can guarantee that they would get a shout down from me. Pen X

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    1. I have never had anyone say it to my face, but I did have an online argument with one of my closest friends for saying it! x

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  17. Thank you!!! So well said!! :)

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  18. It never ceases to amaze me at the pure stupidity of some people. Even before civilization humans knew about the dangers of waste and had a separate area for toileting. I'm sure the women breastfed in public with no hassle.

    Great post

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  19. Agreed!! It's the most ridiculous comparison

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  20. The main reason I began supporting free the nipple a few years ago was because I found out people were against breast feeding in public (when I was around 14. I'm 16 now) Then I had the realisation that it isn't fair men can walk around topless but women can't even feed their baby without someone feeling 'uncomfortable' which seems silly to me. After all, it's not like you can even see anything apart from a babies head!

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  21. This is exactly the kind of negative crap that makes me anxious about breastfeeding my baby due in June. I couldn’t do it on public last time due to stares (she found latching difficult). Urgh I just don’t know which way I’m going to go with this x

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