Comments on: freeSpeech: Lori Leibovich

Mother Speaks About Pressures To Breastfeed

[jav36-2009]

The debate isn't over if breastfeeding is better- it is over the way you are made to feel if you decide not to (for whatever reason). A new mother should not be made to feel less of a mom or guilty if she chooses (for personal or medical reasons) not to breastfeed. I felt the pressure/guilt with two of my children and actually was going to go to extremes to be able to produce enough milk. I finally realized- it was ok not to continue. I was a much happier mom once I decided all of the Dr.,nurses,& society who were pressuring me- weren't worth it! Being a new mom is stressful enough- you should not have to worry about feeling ashamed or made to feel like you are a bad mom on top of it. A baby will also benefit from a mom who doesn't feel stressed.

[mrsb27]

*CaleraMom*~ Your comment is the typical "I did it so every mom should do it" holier-than-thou attitude. It's a crappy attitude and a crappy approach to helping and/or encouraging other mother's to consider BF'ing or continue. At least those formula ads and commercials aren't judging you for your choice of BF'ing. They are simply trying to sell a product. And, speak for your self, some DO care.

It's ironic that so many BF'ing moms want respect for BF'ing or BF'ing in public (as they should have), yet many of the same moms aren't willing to respect a woman's choice to formula feed.

[caleramom]

I completely disagree with Lori Leibovich. Of course the first few weeks of breast-feeding are painful. Isn't everything? The first time you have *** or run a marathon it usually hurts but most don't give it up so easily.Her rant sounded so whiny--the only person placing guilt on her was herself! I'm bombarded everyday with formula commercials and ads on TV,in Dr's offices, even magazines. And I have to go out of my way to find a private place to nurse in public. The reason we have boobs, Lori, is to nourish our children. So if you can't be bothered (or just prefer to quit)please keep it to yourself because the rest of us really don't care!

[angelsx4]

THANK YOU Lori! I've seen too many mom's also think just because their child is breastfed they will be void of any illnesses or childhood related issues, speech problems, overweight, etc.... and their children will be perfect. Mom's face enough trials as it is, we don't need additional "guilt" put upon us. Your comments were beautiful and I wish I had heard those words when I was going through the trials of having infants.

[nanarufi]

YOU GO GIRL! I WAS A GRANDMA IN FAVOR OF BREAST FEEDING UNTIL I MET UP WITH LA LECHE LEAGUE ACTIVISTS WHO INSISTED MY FIRST GRANDSON NOT BE GIVEN ANYTHING BUT THE BREAST IRREGARDLESS OF HIS NOT THRIVING OR MOMS DISCOMFORT--SIGNED, CUZ MYRNA

[jenndogg23]

And by the way, What about women who are on medications and can't breastfeed(specifically anti-depressives for Post-Partum Depression...Isn't more important that the mother be able to take care of her child at all let alone worry about breastfeeding?)

[jenndogg23]

SlackerInc1...Sadly women who choose to smoke,take drugs or smoke during their pregnancy are making a personal choice as well. It's a very selfish choice. However, you can only educate someone about the effects of smoking/drinking/drugs. You cannot physically control them.
I hate to tell you, but before formula was even invented,women were making their own with evaporated milk and k. syrup...so, it must not be too bad!
Maybe people should be more concerned about those women who have abortions or maybe people should be more concerned with kids eating so much fast food and drinking so much soda as they are with formula feeding. There is a childhood obesity epidemic in this country and childhood diabetes is at an all time high.
People have nothing better to do than to judge others.You don't see me putting down people who breastfeed just because I chose to formula feed. So why should I be judged?

[amyost]

As a currently lactating woman, I agree with Lori on most of her points. I breastfed my son for just over a year and currently plan on breastfeeding my daughter for the same amount of time. When I look back at when my son was born (2002), the pressure to breastfeed was enormous and I was all for it, I read the literature but somehow I also viewed formula as poisonous and put so much pressure on myself to produce enough milk everyday while working. I was a completely neurotic first time mom and breastfeeding was a huge contributor of my neurosis. I'm now a stay-at-home mom so I'm lucky that I don't have to pump as much but I also know that formula ISN'T poisonous and I understand that breastfeeding is not for everyone. I certainly don%u2019t regret breastfeeding but I just wish I would have given my son formula at least once so I would know that he would be okay if for some reason I couldn%u2019t breastfeed.

[mlharris103]

Isn't it enough that the government works to support experts in child development and their research so that we might have the best possible knowledge to apply to our jobs as parents? It is discouraging to see another negative attitude toward breastfeeding so prominently displayed by the media. Breastfeeding has enough obstacles without someone berating the people who only have our child's well-being in mind.
I breast fed my son for 1 year while working full-time while my husband was Iraq serving with the Marines. I gave birth alone and started nursing alone though it was extremely painful in the beginning for me as well. As I continued I noticed the obvious benefits however I now know that the bond forged through my efforts with him helped us both beyond any obvious nutritional or imunological gains.
There are plenty of women who physiologically cannot nurse and I do feel for them. But for those that have doubts for selfish reasons, if I can do it so can you.

[susieq1001]

I am not a mother, so all I can say is this: I was not breastfed. I have a great relationship with my mother. I am a highly successful adult and a productive member of society. I am physically and mentally healthy. I have a great marriage.

It's not all about breastfeeding! That's just the start of the long job of raising and nurturing a child. Lori Leibovich has it right.