May 03 2009
Breast vs. Bottle: My Take on the Issue
There is so much judgment on both sides of the breastfeeding vs. bottle-feeding issue. I just thought I would write about my experiences with breastfeeding for what it’s worth.
I myself try to never judge if I see a mother bottle-feeding mostly for the fact that one just never knows the circumstances that that woman is dealing with. In fact, it seems to me that most women I know choose to breastfeed; whether or not they succeed or continue for a year or more is a different story. I only know one woman who chose to bottle-feed from the beginning and I am quite certain that this woman was not well informed (she lives in Poland where they tend to be 20-30 years behind the west. I know how that sounds but it’s kind of true).
Soon after the birth of my son, many people would ask me, some just mere acquaintances, if I breastfed and I very proudly answered yes. Now, after 11 months of breastfeeding I am more inclined to think, “Is that really your business?” I feel this way because if I continue to breastfeed some of those same people will be just as appalled if I told them I was bottle-feeding in the beginning. When Jonah was first born I naturally just fed Jonah when he was hungry. I was so ignorant I didn’t even know that some women put their babies on feeding schedules until I saw one woman in my doctor’s office do just that. I got so much criticism and judgment thrown my way because of the frequency in which I fed my son. I continued to feed him on demand just because it felt wrong to me to do it any other way. After doing some reading I discovered that what I had been doing naturally was completely all right. Even now, I still feel self-conscious at times to feed on demand even though I know it is the right choice for us.
I don’t yet know how long I will breast feed but would like to have a more natural weaning. I have to admit before I had a baby I thought it weird if a woman breastfed her child for extended periods. Now I that I have my own baby I feel differently. I admire women who breastfeed for extended periods because it takes quite a bit of courage since our culture is so hostile towards the idea. I can’t tell you how many times I have heard disparaging comments by people close to me towards prolonged breastfeeding. I think we have to ask ourselves why we as a society are so disgusted by the idea of a woman nurturing and feeding her child in a manner that has gone on for thousands of years. It would be great if we could somehow create an atmosphere of acceptance, where women felt comfortable breastfeeding as often and for as long as she desired. I definitely think it is a good idea to have milk banks for those women who aren’t able to breastfeed. I would market my milk if someone would buy it, I could use to money right now. Anyone interested? (Just kidding… sort of).
Dont worry about what other people think about when you should wean your child it is none of their business, besides the World Health Organization recommends Breast Feeding until age two and the people who might criticize are hardly more qualified then they are right.
I also did not feed my daughter on a schedule I fed her when she was hungry as well. When it comes to our children everyone does seem to have an opinion and while they way might be the right way for them and their situation it may not be for you.
Great article by the way… I love the way you shared your Breast Feeding experience in a non-judgmental way
Any mother needs to be commended on doing what she feels is right, and not giving in to the standards or what someone else tells you is right. I have heard of many parents talk about a feeding schedule. But I always felt that it was best to feed when he indicated that he was hungry. I mean, do we always eat on an exact schedule? I don’t. Now that he is 9 months, though, we’ve kind of unconsciously developed a feeding schedule and it’s kind of cool. It’s a good choice for us now, but I couldn’t see doing it when he was a newborn. Thanks for sharing your experiences.
Kuddos on breasfeeding! I only wish I could have gone on longer, but under the circumstances…not possible!
There certainly are milk banks that would love your milk…not sure if they pay or not though.