Yes, folks, there is a World Breastfeeding Week and it is now. Um, not being terribly versed in the subject myself, I’ll just address three things.
(And before doing so I will yet again publicly pronounce that yes, I believe breast is best and it is the way that God created things to be, but sometimes women do something different for their own reasons.)
First, how many women have you known who were TRULY TOTALLY UNAWARE of the benefits of breastfeeding? I mean, you cannot look at anything remotely related to pregnancy and not be bombarded by information about breastfeeding. I don’t care what social class someone belongs to – the information is everywhere.
Second, NYC officials have banned formula in eleven hospitals. No free sample, no free diaper bag, no posters, nothing. First smoking, then formula. What’s next? Pepsi?
Related to these first two… I sincerely doubt that the reason only 25% of women breastfeed is because they are uneducated. I just don’t buy that. I think it has a lot more to do with women working, the excessive demands placed on women, etc. But what do I know? I was bottle fed myself so I probably have limited brain function.
And third, for those of you who are currently breastfeeding, you can get in on the action of setting a new world record for The most women in synchronized breastfeeding around the world.
You know, in this day and age a blogger needs nary an original thought of her own. If you are a skillful surfer, there is more stuff out there than you could write about in a million years.
Cranberry Orange Nut Bread
Hee hee hee. Yes bottle feeding obviously left you greatly lacking in the wisdom and humour department Sallie! Grin! Breast feeding is slammed down your throat here too……………but people make their own choices and some of them are made for very good reasons. Oh, and though I hope to feed this one myself I can’t think of anything worse than participating in ‘synchronied breast feeding’- as if it isn’t hard enough without having to time it with everyone else!
I WAS totally unaware of the benefits of breastfeeding until I was thankfully educated by a friend who was active with La Leche League. It was only after being introduced to the thoughts of breastfeeding that I even knew to research this topic. My family has all formula-fed and from a very young age I was advised that breastfeeding was a low-class and unnecessary activity. Although most women do not share my experiences, I am sure that I am not the only one who was woefully ignorant about breastfeeding and the benefits.
Breastfeeding was a real challenge for me at the beginning due to my daughter’s prematurity, but has been a huge blessing in my life and something that I am thankful I was able to do for nine months as of today. Nursing is certainly not right for everybody and does not always work out, but sharing information about breastfeeding, and thus equipping mothers and fathers with the information needed to make a truly informed decision is still important regardless.
The idea of hospitals only exclusively promoting breastfeeding, and not offering the option of formula feeding irritates me to no end. Personally, I think by not offering formula as a valid option, the message is being sent to a new mother that if she doesn’t choose breastfeeding, she is a bad mommy. And that just ain’t so.
I had a very negative experience with breastfeeding my son. It just didn’t work for either of us, and I ended up very sick for the first 2 months of his life. If there was a breastfeeding ailment to be had, I had it.
I am now 13 days from my due date with baby #2, and I decided very early on in this pregnancy that I was going to formula feed from the start. Yes, I know that “breast is best,” but I have learned over the last couple of years that a healthy and happy mom makes for a happy and healthy baby…in all respects.
For women who want to breastfeed, I say go for it. And, I truly hope that it works well for them. But, if a woman chooses to strictly formula feed, or a combo of the two, nobody has the right to judge her, or try to change her mind.
I just wanted to note that I have at least two friends who have recently had their #4 babies. Previously, they chose to b-feed their babies. But for some reason (which I can explain in a moment), they aren’t even attempting to breastfeed #4.
Reason: they don’t like losing sleep and the previous babes have used them as “human pacifiers”.
Good for the hospitals. It doesn’t prevent women from using formula.
Do you think Nazi is a fair term though? Nazis were horrendous evil disgusting people. People who promote BF even if they do it very strongly are not in any way Nazis.
I think we use that term very loosely when it should be reserved for the real monsters that the Nazis were.
Anyway, I completely respect any woman’s right to feed her infant as she so chooses. However, the lack of information I hear on a regular basis is appalling. People are told ridiculous things by their doctors and nurses even.
The need for an awareness week or for people to help mom’s who WANT to nurse is very great.
There is never a lack of topics on which to go WHACKO in the world is there? 🙂
Lizzie – I tried to make this post a little tongue-in-cheek since I know what a controversial topic it can be. This included poking fun at myself. I’m sorry if you found the Nazi reference offensive, but I was trying to make a point about government getting involved with telling people what they can and can’t do. Seriously, why not ban Pepsi, too? I’m sure it is no good for us. For me, it is just another example of living in a country that is all about choices – except when you are making the “wrong” choice.
At this point, I’m wondering if this is a Pay Per Post? Why else would someone who is happy to choose bottle feeding mention World Breastfeeding Awareness week ?
The state does more to promote infant formula than breastfeeding–its WIC program is one of the world’s largest purchasers of infant formula.
As an educated mother, I had trouble finding real help breastfeeding. Just because everyone knows “breast is best” doesn’t mean that people, hospitals, or the state is set up to help them achieve that.
Hi Meredith – Nope, not a PPP. I’ve seen the info on other blogs about the breastfeeding week and then when I found the other two articles I thought it would make an interesting post that would probably generate some discussion. I know the vast majority of the women who read here choose breastfeeding, but I also know that there are a significant number of women who read here (like Micki) who choose bottle feeding. I’ve always made it very clear here that I am totally supportive of women who breastfeed. But I’m probably one of the very few Christian women bloggers who is totally open about my choice to formula feed which I’m guessing a lot of the formula feeding moms find encouraging. HTH! 🙂
Should it work out, I’ll be breastfeeding Liam. That being said, I support whatever decision people make for their baby….the main reason I’m planning on breastfeeding? Formula is EXPENSIVE, and I am a CHEAPSKATE. *phew – I finally admitted it!* 🙂
And anyway…we’re all going to give our kids Doritos and Koolaid when they’er older; why the judgment and the huge fuss now? Sheesh…it is amazing that folks get so riled over other folks’ decisions for THEIR children. 😉
Sallie, really, thankyou for being so open about formula feeding. I tied myself up in knots trying to feed my second and third myself, and just decided it would be better all round to FF number four. I’ve been berated a few times over that choice by professionals and other women.
Why do people not seem to understand that promoting and supporting breast-feeding doesn’t have to equate to leaving formula-feeding mums feeling second-class, stupid and selfish?
Oh and BTW, I completely agree that the low percentage of breast-feeders may well be tied more to modern hectic lifestyles than lack of awareness.
I’ve come to a conclusion on this whole topic after many years.
I put how you feed your infant under the category “That’s private.”
It’s no one’s business. It’s between you, your baby, your husband and your healthcare provider to make the decision that is right for the whole family.
Sallie, for the record, I also am a formula mom. My child is doing well, and so is the rest of our family. I’m not sure why this issue is so divisive. In some cases, though not in all certainly, breast feeding moms can barely veil their open hostility to those of us who formula feed. Why? Breast feeding does not make a woman Mother Earth Goddess, and formula feeding does not mean you do not care about your baby. Have you chosen to breastfeed? Wonderful, I support you and think that is a good choice. You don’t breastfeed?
Ditto. I think this issue is like many in our Christian women circles. “I am having a really hard time and suffering with this, so I need to convince myself that the choice you are making is wrong in order to give myself the determination to go on with my own convictions.” I have seen this on MANY sites directed towards Christian women. Is this a salvation issue? No. It is a private decision that a woman makes with her spouse and God. Period.
I think breastfeeding is great and plan to nurse my little one when he comes in November. However- there are women who are unable to breastfeed and completely nourish their babies. My sister had a struggle like this- her son just needed more than she could give him. I think that women should make an educated decision for themselves. No one should be criticised for trying to do what they believe is best for their babies. What works for some, doesn’t always work for everyone. We have enough things to fight for as moms, why fight amoungst ourselves about something as simple as feeding the baby?
I did not bring this up in my comment yesterday, but do think this is important point to consider when it comes to hospitals banning formula marketing. Each and every time a parent purchases a package of formula, they are paying for the company’s marketing campaigns. From the “free” diaper bag in th hospital, the “free” full size canisters that come in the mail, the many coupons & checks sent out for product, and those paper newsletters, all of this is being funded by the consumers, just as every product is. Formula has not always been as ridiculously pricey as it is and these marketing campaigns have driven the price of formula up and up. These campaigns will continue to this.
Formula companies frequently receive the names and addresses of new and expectant moms from ospitals and doctor’s ofice, which is a gross violation of privacy. Many parenting websites and magazines sell this information, too. As is this were not unsettling enough, the formula companies do typically send top dollar coupons and more freebies to women who left the hospital breastfeeding. Not only can this practice sabotage breastfeeding, but parents who purchase formula are paying for breastfeeding parents to get these Perks” that may wind up in the trash and/or would be far better used by those who feed formula themselves!
There are many politics behind infant feeding and they hurt ALL parents and children, regardless of how said children are being fed. I would encourage anybody who is interested in this subject to read the book, “Milk, Money, & Madness”. Feeding infants should not be a “political” issue, nor should it be some huge marketing venture; it should be about loving our children and working with our individual circumstances to give the the best that we can.
I agree with the last post. I don’t have a problem with formula – my own babe is about 90% breastfed but receives a bottle of formula on occasion. However, I can not stand the blatant and aggressive marketing surrounding this product. I think a lot of breastfeeding activists would tone it down if formula was just another product on the shelf and not so aggressively pushed.
I am so glad that I had my babe at a military hospital where I did not have to have to deal with being a consumer target immediately after birth. Honestly, formula samples are far from essential – I was alone post-partum while my husband was deployed with no help from family and just stopped for some formula at a convenience store on the way home from the hospital. You can buy it anywhere.
I also agree with Meredith. Feeding your baby formula may not be the norm in the Christian community but it is by far the norm in most of the US and is heavily supported by our government through WIC. It’s also very easy (instructions are right on the package) while learning to breastfeed is tough. Good breastfeeding help is really so hard to find, that I really applaud hospitals for moving more in that direction. I was lucky that our hospital had a great lactation consultant that I had unlimited access to through my health insurance, but if she had been on vacation that week I would not have been able to nurse my baby at all.
May I just ask, where is the Biblical evidence for “breast is best”?
In the same verse as “Babies are born to be worn”…sometimes I think that we as Christian women who worry over what is best for our families so much are much more vulnerable to the “bandwagon” mentality. A few years ago you were a good mom if you used formula and put our baby in a plastic seat…now you should be reported to CPS! Who knows…in another decade the pendulum might swing back yet again.
I have to disagree with you here Sallie. I have heard some people say some REALLY rediculous things about breastfeeding. They coudl tell you, “yeah, everyone says that breast is best” but then they would say “but breast milk isn’t really good for the baby after 6 months, it is just for the mother at that point” (I have heard this myself several times, and that is just the tip of the iceburg).
AFA educated working mothers being the most used reason for breastfeeding……..I just don’t see it. I see alot of well educated, working, corporate women taking the time to pump and get the help that they need to do that. While when I go to the WIC office, I see uneducated, welfare mom’s (which i am one of btw, so no insult was intended there) choosing to formula feed because they want there bodies back and it is more convienant and breastfeeding is weird and gross.
I could go on and on about how much money low-income people (and our goverment) could save if they would make the commitment to breastfeed (not that that is a good enough reason alone to choose bfing)……..but I won’t.
I know this probably sounds pretty judgemental, and I don’t want to upset anyone, I respect the fact that we all the right to raise our kids how we see fit. But it is an honest observation, and one that I find very very sad.
Amie – When people disagree as kindly and as thoughtfully as you have, disagreement is always welcome. 🙂
I totally agreed with #10. Do you know how many times I’ve seen a woman breastfeed her baby at McDonald’s while her 3 year old scarfs down nuggets, fries, and Sprite? I mean, c’mon, give me a break. I formula fed both of my boys (and I’m a stay-at-home mom…GASP!) and they’re both bright and advanced for their ages. Now me, on the other hand, I was breastfed and can’t even do the math in your comment box.
I’m not an advocate for either feeding option and I believe it’s up to mom to decide. But, formula is not the rat poison so many militant breastfeeders make it out to be. My boys, and millions of others, are proof of that.