Breastfeeding Photo A
One of these things is not like the other.
Last night, Facebook sent Earth Mama’s Facebook page a WARNING that a picture in our photo strip had been removed because it apparently “violated the Terms of Use (see above). Facebook does not allow photos that “attack an individual or group, or that contain nudity, drug use, violence, or other violations of the Terms of Use. These policies are designed to ensure Facebook remains a safe, secure and trusted environment for all users, including the many children who use the site.”
In order to access the Earth Mama Facebook page, we had to acknowledge that we read and understood the warning.
And here’s what we found when we got there. One, but not both, of the breastfeeding pictures on the photo strip had been deleted. Gone. Kaput. Huh? Why that one? This can’t be right, right? There were two breastfeeding photos in the photo strip, so that can’t be the reason it was removed. And Facebook has publicly stated it is not “cracking down” on breastfeeding photos.
Breastfeeding Photo B
Still, they deleted Photo A and left Photo B. We tried to figure out the difference between the two. Here’s what we came up with.
- Both women are clearly breastfeeding their babies.
- One shows cleavage, the other does not.
- One woman’s baby is latched, the other is not.
- The tiniest bit of nipple is visible on one photo, in the other photo the nipple is covered by the baby’s hand.
- Oh wait! Could it be? One woman is black, one woman is white.
Earth Mama always has supported women breastfeeding their babies. Babies get hungry. And breasts feed babies. We don’t consider either photo obscene. Each shows a human baby having lunch. We intend to repost the picture on Facebook once we get an explanation from them. We support ALL mamas as they breastfeed their babies, and we support breastfeeding photos depicting mamas and babies of all races, sizes, shapes and ages.
Why do you think this happened?
UPDATE: With all the ridiculousness about deleting breastfeeding photos from Facebook, I personally contacted Facebook [twice] to find out why they took down Earth Mama’s photos. I received one automated response. We are still working on getting them to clarify their policy and to make a distinction between breastfeeding and obscenity. Thank you for your amazing support! XO, Mama
>> Please help us tell Facebook that breastfeeding is not obscene! Submit a suggestion directly to Facebook HERE.
P.S. Mama’s NOT happy. She doesn’t consider herself a militant. Or a lactavist. But now she’s mad. Brace yourself. >> Read more.
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You may change your mind. I would urge you to consider it once your child is here. Even if just for yourself.
Actually that is not the case. Facebook’s OFFICIAL policy re: breastfeeding photos as of 2009 is that they only consider photo that show nipples inappropriate and will remove them. Pictures of women in bathing suits with more skin showing than some of the breastfeeding photos have been reported but do not get removed. It is an inconsistent policy that needs to be reviewed.
Why? They are both natural human actions, both liquids coming out of your body. I am definitely pro-breast feeding, but seriously – no one wants to see your boob out in public. Natural and beautiful to you and your husband. Not to me. Cover it up.
Why not? Babies are fed everywhere with bottles no? Are those photos something that need to be kept private as well? I don’t consider breastfeeding ‘private’. It is something I do openly and am proud to. I’m taking care of my child, nurturing them. I also do it dozens of times a day? Why wouldn’t I want photos of that? Why wouldn’t I want to share that?
Facebook’s official policy re:breastfeeding photos is only if nipple is visible. It does not deny all photos that are nude. You are wrong.
O but. Facebook will allow young girls. To post pics of themselves in swim suits with the boobs showing n cleavage showing just as much? And facebook will allow young girls 2 post pics of themselves with their legs spread holding pool stix between them. In a bikini and their crotch is nearly hanging out? Facebook thinks these pics of mothers nursing isn’t beatufil or appropriate, but those pics of young girls r?? Y r we making something so amazing like nursing into something sexual? But allowing something sexual 2 b looked at as something “beautiful?” This sight is sooooo messed up!
Didn’t compare them Amber..merely pointed out that BOTH are private matters hun…think !
Are you seriously such a low-brow you cant read and comprehend basic English structure?? Ignorant???? not even being used in the correct context…if your going to insult someone honey please use correct punctuation and be educated on the subject that your discussing.
First off how old are you?? “suck it” are you a child or a grown woman?.. I have no problem with breastfeeding but like most of us have said we really don’t want to see your boobs hanging out in the public eye. Don’t you have any self respect or for your child? If you have a problem with FB and their rules on nudity then delete your FB account. FB is a social network meant for just that… it’s supposed to be a family based site I know, but frankly I wouldn’t like my child to be surfing their friends profiles and come across a picture of a woman breastfeeding…
See this is exactly what I’m talking about discreet and classy!
Why do you feel that way?…my wife can grocery shop and change a flat tire while breast feeding..she just doesnt put pics in face book while she does it.
The people at Facebook should be educated about the Surgeon General’s Call to Action. Breastfeeding is normal and people have seen women nurse since the beginning of time. I wonder if women who work at Facebook have support to pump at work. AOL corporate has a wonderful Well Baby program that supports breastfeeding. It would be great if Facebook learned about the Business Case for Breastfeeding and how breastfeeding is smart, healthy and helps lower medical costs. Facebook doesn’t seem to understand that breasts are functional. No one would be here today if our ancestors didn’t breastfeed. A quote from the Surgeon General’s Call to Action Executive Summary, “One of the most highly effective preventive measures a mother can take to protect the health of her infant and herself is to breastfeed. However, in the U.S., while 75 percent of mothers start out breastfeeding, only 13 percent of babies are exclusively breastfed at the end of six months. . . The success rate among mothers who want to breastfeed can be greatly improved through active support.
Given the importance of breastfeeding for the health and well-being of mothers and children, it is critical that we take action across the country to support breastfeeding.”
just sent a suggestion to FB… this is ridiculous!!! I can’t believe breastfeeding is even an issue!!! A mama feeding her baby is obscene??? What about all the pics girls post of themselves (and their girly bits) while on spring break or partying or whatever? So sad… this is really a disappointment FB!!!!
Cover OK but should not have to go to a restroom to breastfeed your baby.
Is it nudity when a girl wears a skimpy bikini or covers herself with her hands? Because those pics exist. Is it nudity when a man is topless? Technically he’s partially nude. The double standard is exasperating. Do naked feet count as nudity? What about the pictures of little girls in booty shorts turned around so that the camera is taking a picture of their bums? Those kinds of things ARE sexual in nature, where as breastfeeding is beautiful and quite possibly the sweetest thing in the world.
There is nothing discreet about this picture. She is bold and putting her pride in her own body and her child and her choice out there for the world. This is the opposite of discreet! I love the picture, but I wouldn’t in any way call it discreet!
That’s not universally true. In Columbus, OH for example, women can be topless too. Most don’t exercise it, except during the pride parade for some reason, but there it is.
In your opinion both are private matters “hun” (Dear Lord can we please be less condescending???). In my mind, one is the body releasing waste, and another is the best, and most nutritious form of food for human babies. Apples and oranges.
I think the use of “suck it” was a play on words. Most of “us” haven’t agreed with your viewpoint. Two of you have. Maybe you shouldn’t allow your child to surf facebook. It’s a social network only for people ages 13 and up, so I wouldn’t really call it family friendly necessarily. If you have a problem with breastfeeding pictures you could delete YOUR profile, or block people who post them, rather than force your extreme modesty on others. How is public breastfeeding showing a lack of self respect? I think it’s showing a great respect for your child, who needs his needs met regardless of location. I don’t find it very respectful of a child’s wishes when he has to eat in a bathroom or have his face smothered under a blanket when he’s trying to eat. But you feel free to cover your head with a blanket if it bothers you.
they “missed” the other, it wouldn’t appeal to sexual deviants/perverts. although, natural & beautiful. it is also private! would you want some low-life scum “self-pleasuring” to the picture of you nurturing/nursing your beautiful bundle of joy?! our bodies are sacred. & not to be shared with the world!
photo b is focused on a happy baby snuggled by the mama. “a” looks like breasts
yes, you share your body with your baby & your “spouse (or “what have you”) but it should end their, besides trustworthy medical professionals.
they delete this but baby killers can put pictures of japan eating aborted babies up and its OK???? this is bs if you ask me!
Could it be because one baby appeared to be smiling and enjoying the attention? How sad is THAT!
I delivered my Son on the 18th of March of this year. My husband took a picture of me breast feeding our newborn son and Posted it on Facebook. It was deleted too. Plus we had hate emails about posting such a sexual act. I am 37 years old. Breast feeding is natural. I was no where near a sexual act. I was giving my son breast milk. Personaly I feel that this day in age its wrong for us Moms to cover up and not show what is natural. I am so sorry that other woman are having problem’s like this.
I don’t understand why photo (A) would be deleted and not photo (B)..I for one hope there is NOT a racial reason behind it all.. I being a breastfeeding mom myself think both these photos are very beautiful after all these moms are just feeding their precious and adorable babies…
I feel that the men and women who can’t stand to see a photo like these without thinking sexual should not have an online network account…Grow up people!
In public you’re more than welcome to avert your eyes when a mother is engaging in the act of nourishing her child. This is even more so the case on FB-no one forces a FB user to click on breastfeeding pictures! I’ve done a lot of work in Latin America teaching mothers there about the benefits of breastfeeding and attempting to reduce the negative stigma it has, but I never imagined that such a progressive company in such a modern country could respond like this to something so simple, natural, and beautiful. If posting these pictures helps to reduce the stigma associated with breastfeeding even the smallest amount, it is WELL worth the slight discomfort of a few people snooping on people’s FB pictures.
I’m with you Amber.. Seriously Bryan.. Unrinating?? And it can’t always be private. When baby has to eat, he/she has to eat, and sometimes that happens when you’re not at home. With all those baby formulas out there, young women are being taught that it’s ok to not breast feed. Research has shown breast feeding has numerous health and psycological advantages over formulas for both mom and baby. Breast feeding pictures promote breast feeding. High five to all you breast feeding moms who flaunt it!
Did Facebook say it was deleting obscene or pornographic images? No. They delete photos containing nudity.
I’m so
love this blog, already bookmarked it! Thanks.
I am pro-breastfeeding. I simply don’t think it needs to be so ‘in-your-face’. I don’t think it needs to occur in the restroom, but I think that a cover is appropriate. I don’t agree with comparing it to urinating/defecating. It is more like manners. I don’t chew with my mouth open or talk with my mouth full because it is good manners. No one wants to see the food I have in my mouth. I don’t want to see someone breastfeeding their babe with the boob hanging out. Why can’t we be considerate of others while we do what needs to be done?
Meh, I can think of a ton of things more precious than a breastfeeding baby – a puppy, a kitten, money gift basket, rainbows – it’s just a kid eating. There is no need to get all ‘precious’ about it.
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