#1 Your baby's poo shouldn't stink

For our first-ever post highlighting a bit of ridiculous guilt-mongering rhetoric aimed at mothers, I will be examining a section from the Dr. Sears website. I use this website (and the printed reference The Baby Book) as a guide for the more practical aspects of parenting (medication dosage, when to worry about a rash, etc.). But this otherwise level-headed resource also dispenses a bit of ridiculous rhetoric when it comes to breastfeeding, providing a mom who is having trouble with nursing a New and Exciting way to feel even guiltier.  In summary: it's your fault if your baby's poo stinks.  That's right:

Unlike the stinky stools of a formula-fed baby, the stools of a breastfed infant have a less offensive buttermilk-like odor. Changing the diaper of a breastfed infant is not an unpleasant task--which is fortunate, because most breastfed babies have several bowel movements a day. When the baby looks at the face of the diaper-changing caregiver and sees happiness rather than disgust, he picks up a good message about himself - perhaps a perk for building self-esteem. 

Quote from: http://www.askdrsears.com/html/2/t020400.asp

That's right -- if you cause your baby's poo to stink because of your own selfish decision to feed him or her formula, your own disgust at the smell of this poo could affect the healthy development of your child's self-esteem.

Feeling guilty yet? Let's continue...

"Changing the diaper of a breastfed infant is not an unpleasant task--which is fortunate."

In other words, if you are the kind of good mother who breastfeeds, that beneficence will extend to a natural enjoyment of all motherly tasks, including but not limited to cleaning feces off of your baby's private parts.

I'm ready to call BS; how about you?

Send me your ridiculous Mom-Guilt rhetoric to theguiltedage@gmail.com

Cheers and guilt-free parenting,

--Lisa

Welcome to the Guilted Age

Greetings to mothers, parents, and thinkers everywhere. I am starting this blog to highlight, examine, and critique the subtle and not-so-subtle rhetoric of guilt that is presented to mothers in US culture. To start I will be posting once a week. When you find an example of ridiculous, guilt-mongering rhetoric aimed at mothers, send it to me at theguiltedage@gmail.com. Let the rhetorical analysis begin!