I disagree with the word "propaganda" but I am re-posting my post from a different site on the same topic posted by Kristin.
I was on the fence. Not an advocate either way. Saw the pros and cons. Lots of pressure to BF; but also provided samples and coupons by hospital (provided by the formula people). My baby was a preemie and feeding her (or the potential to feed her) was one of the few things I could do for her so it was important to me to pump and store it. I ended up nursing her in full or part for 16 months. Mostly because I was cheap and formula is expensive, and it was more convenient for me to not have to mix formula in the middle of the night or to tote it around when we were out. At first she was fed nutrients via an IV, then Breast Milk via the bottle and then we both figured out how she could nurse. At one point she wasn't getting enough so I had to supplement with formula. Then back to breast milk only. I was fortunate that her daycare allowed Breast milk in frig and handled it appropriately but she also always had a spare formula bottle available. During the last months, it was only morning and night, and more for comfort than nourishment. IMHO, I think BF is healthier in general for the average typical mother/baby but not everyone can/should BF. (I also could be wrong.) It was a way for me to encourage myself to eat healthily. I think it helped me lose some of the baby weight. I don't know about the better bonding - I think when you get up, feed, comfort, diaper - you're bonded or in bondage. I had a good experience with it; others I know did not. I agree that it is your personal decision - not the dr, the baby daddy, your friends, neighbors, parents ... I do think that much of the recent hoo haw stems from our society's sexualization of the female breast. I had to learn to nurse my baby in an open hospital NICU and it mattered not to me if anyone saw me. Once we were out in public I did try to be discreet so as not to offend. I wasn't "militant" either way. If you want to and it works for you - go for it. If not, find a solution that works for you, and go for it. Judging others' choices takes too much effort. We as women need to be supportive of each other. Work outside the home for money moms. Stay at home moms. Married, single, divorced, lesbian moms. Old moms, young moms. Common thread: mom. Life can be a challenge - let's give each other a break.
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I disagree with the word "propaganda" but I am re-posting my post from a different site on the same topic posted by Kristin.
January 6, 2009 - 8:34pmI was on the fence. Not an advocate either way. Saw the pros and cons. Lots of pressure to BF; but also provided samples and coupons by hospital (provided by the formula people). My baby was a preemie and feeding her (or the potential to feed her) was one of the few things I could do for her so it was important to me to pump and store it. I ended up nursing her in full or part for 16 months. Mostly because I was cheap and formula is expensive, and it was more convenient for me to not have to mix formula in the middle of the night or to tote it around when we were out. At first she was fed nutrients via an IV, then Breast Milk via the bottle and then we both figured out how she could nurse. At one point she wasn't getting enough so I had to supplement with formula. Then back to breast milk only. I was fortunate that her daycare allowed Breast milk in frig and handled it appropriately but she also always had a spare formula bottle available. During the last months, it was only morning and night, and more for comfort than nourishment. IMHO, I think BF is healthier in general for the average typical mother/baby but not everyone can/should BF. (I also could be wrong.) It was a way for me to encourage myself to eat healthily. I think it helped me lose some of the baby weight. I don't know about the better bonding - I think when you get up, feed, comfort, diaper - you're bonded or in bondage. I had a good experience with it; others I know did not. I agree that it is your personal decision - not the dr, the baby daddy, your friends, neighbors, parents ... I do think that much of the recent hoo haw stems from our society's sexualization of the female breast. I had to learn to nurse my baby in an open hospital NICU and it mattered not to me if anyone saw me. Once we were out in public I did try to be discreet so as not to offend. I wasn't "militant" either way. If you want to and it works for you - go for it. If not, find a solution that works for you, and go for it. Judging others' choices takes too much effort. We as women need to be supportive of each other. Work outside the home for money moms. Stay at home moms. Married, single, divorced, lesbian moms. Old moms, young moms. Common thread: mom. Life can be a challenge - let's give each other a break.
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