Momfidence! - Which Side Did You Fight on in the Breastfeeding Wars, Mommy?

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Momfidence! cheers on commonsense parenting and sighs at the rest. How to worry less, wing it more. A.k.a. parenting by the seat of my mid-rise mom jeans.

About Paula Spencer

I'm the author of Momfidence! An Oreo Never Killed Anybody and Other Secrets of Happier Parenting, and a mom of four in Chapel Hill, North Carolina (where you can't even buy Oreos at the two wholesome groceries nearest to my home).

Some Kindred Blogs

Parentopia On mommy guilt
The Mother of All Blogs My fave fellow mom of four
MommaBlog in FotosLooks like my house
Parent Talk Today Kindred writer
Momformation ParentCenter
FreeRangeKidsSet them free!
Jane Austen Addict For diversion
Diet Naked For inspiration
Dr. Helen For conversation
BlythTimes For smart insights
LifeCoachBlog for positive reminders
Plan B for thinkin' past motherhood
Self Caring Caregiver blog I also write
College-path (trust me, eventually, you'll be there!)

Which Side Did You Fight on in the Breastfeeding Wars, Mommy?

March 16, 2009

Sorry I've been way absent here...

Read this piece in the Atlantic Monthly, a case for why breastfeeding may not be the be-all-and-end-all it's stacked up to be these days. It's sad and strange how this natural act -- an extension of pregnancy, really -- has morphed into this two-year sentence for poor new moms, whether or not they work or like it or have two other kids or what.

I worked, didn't really like it (didn't hate it either, but let's face it a huge hassle at times) and had two other kids. Pumping? No thanks. Am mom. Not cow. I did it, enjoyed it, and quit before six months all four times. Guilt free.

The point is that the child will live no matter what you do. So I was glad to see this Atlantic piece.

Unbuttoned book is out any day now (group think full of essays on breastfeeding). My chapter -- nobody will be surprised to hear -- is called, "Step One: Try It. Step Two: Whatever Works."

Comments

Courtney says...

I read the Atlantic article with great relief. Finally, someone let me off the hook for my horrible sin of not breastfeeding. I was never keen on the idea but, because my blood pressure went nuts after delivery, I had to be on medications that were toxic in breastmilk. The choice was to take the meds, drive down my blood pressure and live to raise my child or breastfeed and die. Not a difficult one at the time.

However, I really get tired of the supercilious comments from other mothers about it. One told me what a shame it was that I couldn't bond with my child. Like that's the only way to bond, right? I'm glad to see some perspective being inserted into this debate!

Cathy says...

I, too, was glad to see this article. With my first, breast feeding just wasn't working - she cried, I got frustrated (and cried), not a good bonding experience. My pediatrician at the time said I should "force her to do what nature intended" - so I changed doctors, put her on formula and went on.
I think is HAS to be about what works for each individual.

Paula says...

Interesting perspectives! Glad you changed docs..."Force" is not a word that should be used much with babies....

Denise says...

I breastfed my first born for 3 months and then changed to formula, for 2nd born was breast fed completely for 18 months and did pump off for her feeds when I was working and my third born was breast fed for 6 months completely and then did complement feeding with both for the remainder until 19 months. I did what worked for me and as you all say, that is what matters - happy mother, happy baby and viseversa.
There are no health problems for any of them due to any particular way I have chosen to feed them. So between them all , they are still underweight but healthy happy children. and that's what counts.

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