Mothers, and how they hurt each other

[pne]

I liked reading this entry of ailbhe's; it was thought-provoking.

Basically, it talked about breastfeeding and problems and formula-feeding when you find that you can't breastfeed and the attitude some mothers have towards others who switch to formula and whether those attitudes are appropriate or helpful.

Comments

[conuly]

Not saying it there, since I don't know her, but this all highlights the need for milk banks. Why should there only be two options ever?

milk banks

[pne.livejournal.com]

I remember asking about the subject shortly after we left the hospital with Amy since Stella had enough milk for two or three kids, but the nurse said that while they had had a milk bank program for a while, they stopped doing it.

Apparently, part of the reason was the quality standards that were expected: while it was fine to have a mother feed her child her own unprocessed, un-quality-controlled milk, donated milk has to be examined or screened or something, certainly treated with more care, and I think the cost and/or trouble of doing this made it impractical. A pity, really.

[elgrande.livejournal.com]

I didn't know breastfeeding was such a big issue.

[asciident]

For some mothers (on LiveJournal anyway, but probably elsewhere) there is a whole breast-vs-bottle war, IME. Even terms like "boob nazi" for women who are militantly in favor of breast feeding!

A bit crazy, I think.

Re: milk banks

[conuly]

Yes, it is.

[ladyortyger.livejournal.com]

That debate is one I have examined a lot. Thanks for pointing that entry out! ;)

[bacskocky.livejournal.com]

One thing I've noticed is that a lot of the boob-nazis are stay at home moms, or work someplace that they have tiem to pump and a PLACE to pump, and have a spouse or someone to watch their baby while they're at work. A lot will also do "marathon" nursing sessions and leave th ebaby latched on for 12 or more hours in order to boost supply. They will castrate you for giving even teh tiniest bit of formula to your child, and a good number of them will throw a fit if you start solids earlier than 6 months old or sometimes even later than that.

What they dont' realize is that not everyone has the advantages they do. I exclusively breastfed while I was staying at hoem for the rest of my maternity leave. And durign the day now, I breastfeed. My son gets formula whiel I'm at work because he eats too often and too much for me to be able to pump. By the time I've spent an hour at work, I'm crying because I have nowhere to pump, and my breasts are startign to fill up.

I started solid swith my son early. My doctor said it was alright, because he's MY son, and he was ready for it. I was started on solids at a month and a half old, and my son was at 2 and a half months old. His colic has gone away since we started solids, and he sleeps through teh night. He has come to expect his cereal in the morning, veggie or fruit at lunch, and cereal for dinner. (we're still in the process of introducing foods) The WIC lady about had a fit when I told her William was on solids already. And yo uknow what, I don't care what she thinks or what anyone else thinks. Being stuck at home when I knew I needed to get out and work to earn money to support myself and my son sent me spiralling back into a depression that I've been fighting for a few years as it is. The anxiety of what other people would think about my switchign to both breast and bottle as well as early solids overwhelmed me. I ended up back on my medication.

It's not a pleasant feelign to be one of the targets, and it's ridiculous that it even has to be that way. People need to get ove rthe fact that not everyone can or will breastfeed exclusively for the first six months of their baby's life. Let people raise their children. If the doctor says it's ok, then leave it at that and get off the parent's back. Period.