Michaels: Breastfeeding zealots are the least of this community's concerns

Have you heard of "breastfeeding Nazis?

The politically incorrect term bandied about by recent breeders has now been brought to the general Okanagan public courtesy of a West Kelowna council meeting.

It was offered by a public nurse who, while trying to convince the district's elected officials to adopt Baby Friendly initiatives at the municipal levelas has been done in Lake Country and Kelownawas met with an unusual rebuke.

Social engineering, boobie bullies, dubious concerns over enforcement and fears around excessive use of breast milk application were some of the arguments against adopting an innocuous policy. That reportedly prompted her to reply, "I have always made an effort not to be a breast-feeding Nazi.

It all made me snort my breakfast milk right out of my nose. Cow's milk, for the record.

There was something oddball, smalltown and ridiculous about all of it, particularly elected officials rallying against an education campaign for breast feeding. Keep an eye out for the book burning session at their next meeting. And that moment when Kevin Bacon dances into town on his way back from Taber, Alberta and makes every thing better. I digress.

The point is education is a helpful way to help make the townsfolk smarter. Clearly, when it comes to things like breast feeding, there's a need for people to do some book learning.

Handily enough for me, an example popped up in my newsfeed this morning.

Kristen Hilderman, an editor of BC Business magazine, was on a United Airlines flight last Sunday when her five month old baby started to cry because of a change in cabin pressure.

As any good mother would do, she decided to feed him. In addition to its obvious everyday soothing effect, feeding during these times relieves pressure on their wee heads, like chewing gum would do for people with teeth.

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Michaels: Breastfeeding zealots are the least of this community's concerns