Listening to the local National Public Radio station on my way work this morning, I was enjoying Steve Inskeep’s interview with chef Nigella Lawson on indulgent foods. During the interview, Steve was sampling one of her recipes, “doughnut french toast,” when this reference to breast milk came up (about two minutes in).
Lawson: “Someone once said to me that vanillin (which is the thing that makes vanilla smell like it does) is present in breast milk, [Inskeep reacting in the background] so we have some very primitive desire to be comforted by the taste of vanilla ….[laughing in the background, 'I'm sorry'] ….I’m just telling you…. so you could say it’s a kind of Freudian self-indulgence.”
Inskeep: (laughing) “I had a mouthful of it while you were saything that! It’s really more than I needed to know, but thank you anyway.”
I was surprised by his reaction. Was that disgust I heard in his voice? And a twinge of embarrassment? It was subtle, instinctive. It was only a few words, laughs, and then the conversation moved on. But the reference to breast milk obviously made him uncomfortable.
What’s wrong with breast milk? Is it gross and unappetizing because it is a bodily fluid? I’ve heard similar reactions of disgust, amusement, and discomfort when breast milk enters conversation. This makes me sad. For one thing, I am a producer of this substance, and I am proud of it. Unlike certain other bodily fluids, breast milk is not a human waste product. It is the most clean, most sanitary, most natural food that a human will ever taste. Children old enough to talk and retain memories before they are weaned tell us that is is delicious. It is sweet, sweeter than cows milk.
I suspect that his reaction, though, was deeper than that. I think it was because her mention of breast milk implied that what he was eating was, in some way, like breast milk. And that enjoyment of vanilla could be related to a human desire for comfort from breast milk, or the breast itself. And Steve Inskeep sure was enjoying that doughnut french toast.
In response to Lawson’s statement about vanillin: As far as I know, breast milk doesn’t naturally taste like vanilla, but vanilla in the mother’s diet (as well as garlic, mint, and some other distinct flavors) passes easily into breast milk.
Loved the way you wrote this! I agree. Why on earth would human milk be considered unappetizing, when people consume milk products from COWS daily? Would he gag over eating ice cream or cheese? I talked with my neighbor yesterday about someone who is breastfeeding her 10 month old baby, and she said, “STILL? She’s still breastfeeding?” I was armed with responses I have learned from you. I replied, “The World Health Organization recommends 2 yrs. (”OH, NOOOO” was her response), then, I said, ” And the Amer. Pediatric Assoc. recommends one year.” (”REALLY?! she said),
“And this information is from a lactation educator”, was my final reply. Her attitude is that breastfeeding is not at all necessary, and even her own daughter didn’t breastfeed her 3 kids. What a shame that people are so un-informed. Your blog is soooo needed!
Thanks! Good job spreading the word about breastfeeding. So true about cow milk. Cow milk is breast milk too, only instead of being made by a human, it’s made by an animal. I wonder how many people think about that.
Well, the cow porn industry is still in its infancy. Maybe after people become acclimated to viewing bovine teats as sexual objects, then they will be more grossed out by cow’s milk. We’ll have to move to goat’s milk for our milk supply. I don’t predict goats getting the same kind of pornographic attention.
Well said Christina! I love your blog!
I will never understand why someone would NOT be grossed out by milk that comes from a cow udder but would be grossed out by milk that comes from a human breast. Completely illogical. I am actually in the process of pumping milk (I’m breastfeeding my three year old twin boys) for my own mother to drink to help alleviate severe digestive issues and food intolerances that she experiences which are exacerbated when she travels. She’s going on a cruise and I want her to have a really great time and not get sick. When I suggested the idea to her, rather than get grossed out she graciously thanked me for such a generous offer.