Bette Midler Slammed for Glib Breastfeeding Comment Amid Baby Formula Shortage
Insensitive
If she hasn't up til now, she can't just start at any time. It's not like turning on a spigot.
The 'breastfeeding wars' are just another example of the class divide. It's elite WFH class judging those who can't or don't breastfeed full time.#leavewomenalone #MyBodyMyChoice
— Jennifer Sey (@JenniferSey) May 13, 2022
Many people felt that Midler's tweet was insensitive to new mothers who were unable to breastfeed or even those who chose not to before the shortage began.
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People do not understand how boobs work pic.twitter.com/bPu4g8R4Da
— Amanda Deibert🏳️🌈🌻🌻 (@amandadeibert) May 13, 2022
Bette, respectfully, this is a very bad take. I had twins. I didn’t produce enough milk for both. Without formula, I would have had to have chosen which one got to eat. To say nothing of kids that get separated from the birth mothers very young.
— Ilyse Hogue (@ilyseh) May 13, 2022
Sensitivity aside, many people responded to Midler with strong arguments that she was incorrect. Breastfeeding is not an option that is available "on demand" for many, many women in the U.S.
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— ♿️nat will be dancin in the kitchen (@lilacdecorum) May 15, 2022
Some people chalked Midler's opinion here up to a generational divide, turning instead to younger women in the public eye for their opinions here.
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TY. I'm w you on this, Bette. From moment of birth, most western hospitals thwart 1st natural instinctual needs of mom & of baby to move to bare breast/latch/suckle/remain to suckle on-demand, so too many women soon think they can't, baby won't...in reality, extremely rare.
— 🌹Deborah Dupré🌹 (@DeborahDupre) May 13, 2022
Some fans interpreted Midler's tweet to be broader, insinuating that U.S. institutions should do more to promote breastfeeding over formula. In that context, they agreed with her.
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People are piling on because you are working with old information. Women *don’t* believe formula is better than breast milk. They’re *shamed* for using formula, even if it’s their only option. Your tweet re-inforced that women who don’t breastfeed are failures. They’re not.
— Jennifer Bettina Wayne (@BettinaWayne) May 13, 2022
I teach c18/c19 African American writers, including writing about slavery. Learning about enslaved women involves learning about rape, forced reproduction, and forced breastfeeding labor. 2/7
— Dr. Brigitte Fielder (@BrigField) May 13, 2022
Sure enough, Midler followed up her tweet later with some more nuance, but for many fans it still didn't hit the mark. Her reference to the practice of "wet nursing" drew even more backlash.
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What an ignorant comment. I had a blood transfusion when I had my son and no one told me that could affect breast feeding/milk production. I wanted to breast feed but my milk dried up and my son wasn't able to get the nutrition he needed. It devastated me. Shame on you. https://t.co/yTVCJ63Jfe
— A.J. Brumley (@AJBrumley78) May 17, 2022
As the conversation continued, many women shared their personal stories and the reasons why breastfeeding was not an option for them. The wide array of reasons helped drive home the severity of this problem with formula.
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Why not just say “I was wrong?” https://t.co/xwYyfeNWVm
— J (@Gold_Ranga) May 15, 2022
Finally, many fans were put off by Midler doubling down on this argument. They thought that the actress should accept her mistake rather than backpedaling.
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