6/14/06
Yeah like I could leave this alone
This breastfeeding article from the NYTimes of course interests me as I can honestly say I am a breastfeeding nazi and proud of it. And of course it is a hot topic and heavily debated. WHY?? Everyone knows breast is best BUT it's not about that--it's about not making people feel guilty.
And that is a bad thing? Maybe enough people will make breast feeding a priority and make it easier for working mother's to breast feed if we guilt trip them enough--it certainly has worked for my grandma (aka the Guilt Trip queen).
Guilt only goes so far--for instand ME I am immune to it--doesn't work too well over a long period of time. What is needed is a better support system and education.
Both doctors and mother's need to be educated about breast feeding...the hows and the whys and the what fors. Most peds know nothing about breastfeeding and are often no help to new moms or tell them the wrong things. Most mothers CAN breast feed...it's very rare that mom truly has not enough milk or that they infant can't tolerate it. Breast feeding is hard at first--hell I had to bite down on a teething ring or my babies bobby (kids wanted to suck 24/7) when I got thrush because of poor latch on technique. But I hung on because I KNEW that this was what was best and there was no other option. And within a few days or so--it was awesome and easy.
As for support--we need businesses not only to provide time and space for working moms to pump breast milk but also give customers a place to breastfeed as well (and the bathroom does NOT count) and or not freak out when a mom discreetly breastfeeds while she walks the aisles or eats lunch. Hospitals need to encourage it as well and STOP handing out free formula!! I have to pay for the food I ate while in the hospital why should I be given free formula which just makes it seem that hospitals/doctors support formula feeding. Health insurance companies and or businesses would also do well to provide extra benefits or incentives to breast feed since because breast feed babies don't spend as much time in the doctor's office as formula fed babies--talk about saving some bucks.
I sympathise for those who didn't breastfeed...they do lose alot...and most times it's not their "fault." Misinformation has played a huge roll in why so many babies aren't breastfed. And for the record...those moms that suffer PD and others that must take medications please do what is best for YOUR health and don't feel guilty if your meds don't allow you to breastfeed.
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