Breastfeeding
A few weeks ago I read an article in the New York Times on the benefits of breastfeeding and the federal government's new ad campaign to promote breastfeeding. The government is running public service announcement-like ads likening riding a bucking bronco while pregnant to feeding your baby formula instead of the all-curing breast milk. On the one hand I totally agree. Breastfeeding should become the norm in this country. There are innumerable benefits including reducing the risk of ear infections, repiratory infections, asthma and even leukemia. Not to mention that it reduces the risk of some cancers in the mother. It's also free and extremely convenient to always have fresh, moderate temperatured milk in the exact right quantity wherever you are, whenever your baby needs it. I am breastfeeding baby Doodle.
On the other hand I feel bad for those mothers who for one reason or another are not breastfeeding their babies. I only really feel bad for the mothers who aren't doing it because they have to go back to work and pumping every few hours is so daunting and sometimes impossible depending on the employer. I have come to realize that mothers who say they can't breastfeed because of over or under production of milk are really just not that dedicated to it. If you are really dedicated and really want to breastfeed you can work to correct your milk production. It is a lot of work, I've heard, but it can be done. I had a lot of trouble breastfeeding for the first six weeks of baby Doodle's life. I was sore, my nipples had blisters on them and occassionally bled, but I stuck with it and now baby Doodle nurses without incident.
This morning on Good Morning America Kate Snow interviewed the editor of Baby Talk magazine about breastfeeding in public and what Americans think of it. It turns out that 57% of Americans think that it is not right to breastfeed in public! And 74% think it should never be shown on television. They interviewed a few random people on the street in Manhattan. One woman said, and I'm paraphrasing here, "no one should breastfeed in public, it's disgusting and should only be done in the privacy of one's own home." So I guess she thinks all mothers, especially mothers of babies younger than 6 months, should never leave their houses. Young babies eat every two hours during the day! I can't imagine not being able to feed baby Doodle at the park, or at a restuarant, or in a cafe.
It has been proven that breastmilk is the food of choice for babies, and babies need to eat often. Babies should be able to eat in places other than their homes, and mothers shouldn't feel like prisoners. I breastfeed in public and have the right to do so.
posted by Doodlebug1012 @ 9:23 AM
1 comments
1 Comments:
Regarding your comments on how over- or under-production is not an excuse, you are a perfect example of someone not truly understanding someone's circumstances because they have not walked in someone elses shoes. And how terrible for women who are underproducers like me who already feel terrible that I can't provide my baby with 100% breast milk and then hear from other moms like you that it's my fault. Just so you can be a little more educated on the topic, you can hear from my example. I am a health care professional, and am extremely gung-ho about breastfeeding my baby. I took breastfeeding classes before giving birth, I demanded that my baby be brought to the breast as soon as possible after birth, breast fed around the clock despite the pain and agony, saw a lactation consultant 3 times in the first three weeks because "if it hurts, you're not doing it right," and refused formula supplementation even though my baby had lost weight and had not gained it back for two weeks. After speaking with a pediatrician and lactation consultant who was able to measure my milk production, I found out that I had a low milk supply. I tried herbs, I tried pumping in addition to breastfeeding, and NOTHING worked. After I finally started supplementing, which I was very unhappy about, my baby stopped being a scrawny, failing to thrive baby and plumped up. I continued to breast feed as much as possible and I'm still a fanatic about keeping my milk supply up. Women like you who are fortunate not to have had this problem should not be so judgemental of other women who are plagued by it.
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