Since I’ve read several blogs commenting on breastfeeding and World Breastfeeding Week, I thought I’d throw my 2 cents in. Yes, I do breastfeed my children. First off, it’s very convenient (no bottles to wash, measure and prepare while my baby screams. Secondly, the bonding time is wonderful (yes, I do enjoy some middle of the night feeds…the ones I can stay awake through). Thirdly, it’s economical and as a stay-at-home mom, I’m all about economical. Fourthly (and these are in no particular order), God has gifted women with this amazing ability to nurture our children from the beginning.
I’m all for new moms who want to breastfeed too. However, I have watched, supported, and cried for friends who have felt that they were horrible mothers because they couldn’t breastfeed. I say, they couldn’t, not because of lack of education or trying but because of lack of professional support and milk supply. I have seen several posts of moms who tried to breastfeed but had low supply. Those moms, who so desparately want to nourish their babies, have tried everything possible to feed them (herbs, supplements, etc.), but to no avail.
My heart ached for a friend who tried to nurse her first baby but ran into problems. She was crushed and felt so inadequate because everyone was throwing in her face, “Breast is best!” Here I was nursing my little one, and unable to comfort her or help her in nursing her baby. My sister had a very difficult time nursing her first one, but was able to pump for her for six months.
Some moms, especially new moms, haven’t got that go getter attitude about it either. When Ace was born, he weighed over 8 1/2 pounds and, by hospital policy, had to have his blood sugar level checked at birth and then an hour later. An hour later, they found that his levels “did not meet their standards” and the nurse promptly left the room and arrived again with a bottle, without even speaking to me. I asked her what she was doing. She informed me that his sugar levels were low and that she was going to give him a bottle. I quickly informed her that no, I would nurse him again. She got a little huffy and walked out of the room, making sure to leave the bottle out “in case she needed to use it.” After she returned, she checked his levels and they had gone up. And while she was away, Mark promptly tossed the bottle in the trash can. Had Ace been my first, I probably would not of said anything. However, having successfully breastfed one child on no bottles, I knew the standard and that in order for babies to get good latching techniques, etc, they needed to have only the breast for the first week or so. Oh, and we also learned by way of our pediatrician that his “low” levels were not low and acceptable and did not show the need for a bottle.
I can see a lot of pressure on moms to breastfeed and it breaks my heart. While I do believe that breastfeeding is the best choice for a baby, I have come to this philosophy with friends. If you can do it, great! If something happens and you are stressed and it’s getting harder to do then don’t. Your health (physically and emotionally) directly effects your sweet child and if you are upset, then the baby will be upset…it’s not worth it to have both of you upset.
Sorry if I stepped on toes…just my opinions and observations.
