I watched a lot of Sesame Street and Mr. Roger's Neighborhood in college (don't judge me!), so it was around 2003-2006. I recall that both shows, at different times, had a segment on breastfeeding, clearly showing the nipple and using the word "breast." It's possible that there was outrage, but I didn't really follow that sort of news back then.

I feel like one of the major changes that bears influence on both of those topics (welfare, breastfeeding), in relation to kids, is that it has become less acceptable, I think, to purposely talk to children about things of a "political" import, if you are anyone but their parent or guardian.  I think it's seen as, to a certain extent, as presumptuous and a bit audacious to even neutrally discuss with children topics that are seen as controversial.  It's as though the parents are supposed to be able to decide what their children are even allowed to know *exists* as an issue in the world.

Personally, I think it comes from an increased infantilization of children.  And yes, I recognize that it seems a little odd to talk about the infantalization of children, but there *is*, after all, a difference between infants and children, just as there is between children and adults.  I think that maturity is a thing of degrees.  In the past, (much of the 1700s, for example) there was a tendency to do the opposite to children: to view them as, essentially, little adults and to have expectations of them that are concordant with that notion.  But, as we now know, that's not quite a fair representation of them.

Still, I feel like there has been some black and white thinking happening in this regard.  The thinking seems to have gone that, if children aren't quite adults, they must be *something else entirely*.  And well, that's not quite true either.  They're somewhere on the way to becoming adults.  They're not adults yet, but they're also not infants incapable of doing anything for themselves.  I've always held to the idea that parents are there to *guide* children as they navigate the world on their way to adulthood.  So, to be honest, I'm deeply uncomfortable with the idea that a child's parents have the ultimate right to decide everything that child is allowed to know -- the idea that children are little computers for a parent to program as they see fit.

I like the way  how the woman explains  what is she doing ? why in that particular way and the benefits she and her baby get from breastfeeding. I think this the right way to explain the sibling of a baby or other kids that breastfeeding is natural thing and yes you can breastfeed in public. I have collected some tips about breastfeeding in public you can read all about them here http://www.my-practical-baby-guide.com/breastfeedinginpublic.html

When were these programs aired?

Children should be knowledgeable to their age-appropriate level. They should know the facts about where babies come from (without going into detail), know how the body functions, and know how to respect their own and other persons' bodies. Too often kids are exposed to information before they know the truth, and then they don't know what to do with it. Then they develop an immaturity about sex, babies, etc.

One day my little brother came home from kingdergarten with a button on his shirt that said, `stop racism.`Up to that point, my brother had no idea that it existed. Isn`t that what we`re looking for - a positive approach to the future. (sorry my keyboard won`t do question marks.) Shouldn`t we speak of ending welfare and poverty rather than accepting it. Regarding breast feeding. I breast fed my baby privately. The reason - I didn`t want anyone looking at my boobies. That is a private part of my body reserved for me. We can make breast feeding successful by talking about it, sharing our stories, reaching out for help when it`s not working. I had lots of professionals look at me while breastfeeding so I knew what to do. When it was finally working, I kept my boobies private between me, my baby and my husband. This is a matter of extrovert liberated women who wants to be loud and proud. You don`t have to be that way for something to take place naturally. Quietly. Sometimes the best solutions are the quietest. Sesame Street should stay away from discussing things that the child already knows intrinsically and stay focused on the alphabet, numbers, and how to get ready for school, critical thinking. Life skills are a touchy subject. Your idea of life skills probably doesn`t match mine, so don`t try to teach my child. That`s my job.

BIG BIRD QUIT STARING

LOOK YOUR KIND DOES NOT EVEN HAVE MAMMARY GLANDS

THAT IS VERY RUDE OK STOP IT

I agree that breastfeeding would not be promoted so casually or easily now--our culture emphasizes the breast as sexual object to the exclusion of its biological purpose.  I just blogged about this topic today:  http://elizabethhallmagill.wordpress.com/2011/10/17/yo-mama%e2%80%94these-jugs-make-milk/

Has anyone acknowledged that early Sesame Street wasn't intended for child viewers?  It was actually intended for adults. I'm not pulling anyone's leg. I don't even know if this particular episode is included in the Early Years of Sesame Street collection that carries the same reputation. Just saying.