Question on "the vegan paradox": do hard-core vegan mothers breastfeed their babies?

It was a completely random question that came up in conversation today.  Is breastmilk an animal product, and therefore not suitable for vegans (hard-core ones, e.g., them + baby), or is it acceptable -- are humans a different sort of "animal" in this context?

Not looking for any hate mail, just thought it was a something to ponder ... Kind of reminded us of the Kobayashi Maru of Star Trek fame.  Here's a sample of one of the many funny, yet rather strident responses to this topic on Yahoo! Answers:

Breastmilk is vegan because it's completely consensual and there was no exploitation involved. Similarly, other bodily secretions (hint hint) of humans are also vegan if consensually given.

Cows' milk is for calves, not humans. However, in farms cows are treated as nothing more than milking machines. They are constantly kept pregnant and their calves are taken away at birth and if male, are slaughtered in a matter of weeks for veal. There's a saying that goes "Every glass of milk has a little bit of veal in it".

Humans are the only animal that drinks the milk of another animal... and past infancy too. It's funny that a lot of adults think drinking human breastmilk is completely gross but it's acceptable to drink the milk of another animal. I never really understood that cognitive dissonance.

Veganism opposes all animal exploitation. It is not about purity as many omnivores like to think, it is about resisting exploitation and commodification of sentient beings.

Comments

[Eccentric Vegan]

"do hard-core vegan mothers breastfeed their babies?"

Yes, most do. And their babies are better for it.