Formula feeders are
celebrating, breastfeeders are complaining. Me, well I’m thrilled to bits that
it suggests my first combination-fed child is probably going to be ok, but I’m
still 100% committed to breastfeeding the new baby anyway. It doesn’t change my
opinion of anything.
What interests me is the
divide between the two camps, breast and bottle. How any research into this
area leaves one side or the other feeling attacked. I’ve read articles from
breastfeeding supporters criticising this research and clearly feeling that it
undermines their work to help and encourage women to breastfeed. I’ve read
pieces from formula feeders praising it in the hope that it will stop society
bashing them with the guilty stick over bottlefeeding. I can see both sides.
We’re all so incredibly
sensitive over the entire subject, it is such a deeply personal one it’s hard
not to be. I know I’m certainly overly defensive
based on my own history. During this pregnancy my exposure to all the
breastfeeding literature has made me bitterly sigh and think of it as
“propaganda” rather than help. When the midwife raises the subject I feel my
adrenalin rise, ready to defend my previous experience and go on the attack.
But I’m starting to realise
that attitude isn’t going to help me actually breastfeed this time. I may need
that support, it’s not good to think of them as the enemy. The crux of the
matter for me is that breastfeeding support usually includes having a go at
formula feeding or some form of guilt tripping. Are they obliged by law to
start reciting all the supposed benefits the second the subject is raised?
“Hello? I’m already sold on
the idea, just help me already!”
I’m actually nervous about
approaching people for help and advice in case the anti-formula opinions start
to fly. That shouldn’t be the case. It doesn’t have to be. It won’t make my
boobs work anyway so don’t waste your breath…
Sorry, I’m on one again!
I just don’t see the need for
the breast/bottle divide. I wish it would go away. As women, we’re damned if we
do (“pur-lease don’t whip your boobs out in public, that’s disgusting, I don’t
want to see that! Exhibitionist!”) and damned if we don’t (“Don’t you know
bottle feeding will make your child stupid, obese and diabetic? Bad mother!”)
I just wish we could all
decide to support one another and tell everyone else to butt out. Breastfeeding
mothers shouldn’t have to hide away and stay indoors in case their baby needs a
feed, it’s about time society grew the hell up and accepted boobs are there for
feeding babies and not for them to gawp at. Get over it! And bottle feeding
mothers shouldn’t be judged as ignorant, bad mothers who aren’t prepared to do
what’s best for their babies. Sometimes breast isn’t best for their
circumstances (far too many to list here), sometimes they chose not to. We are
all doing our best for our babies and formula genuinely isn’t poison. (I’m not
getting into third world issues here, that’s a whole other issue and I’m as
disgusted as anyone about the practices of formula companies in those areas).
Oh and if someone wants to breastfeed their child until they’re a few years
old, then whatever works for them, if it’s right for you and your child, go for
it I say.
For the record I am 100%
committed to breastfeeding my little girl when she is born. Just as I was with
my son. I hope that with the lessons learned from feeding him I can make it
work this time. I really, really, hope that. I chose to because I love all
things natural, and breastfeeding is natural. Simple as. If I have a choice
between something natural and something synthetic, I always choose natural or
as close to as possible. That’s just me, bit of a hippy. I just hope this time
things work as they ought to and the milk is more forthcoming. If it isn’t, then
formula is a god send and I will not hesitate to whip out my bottle in public.
And thank you science for making that possible.
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