Is It Really For Everyone?
May 14 '00
I want to start by saying that I am not at all against breast feeding. I think it is an extremely beautiful act and I am envious of those able to. However, I am against it being forced upon expecting Moms.
Breast feeding is an issue that is heavy on my heart. You see, I was and am not able to naturally feed my babies. At first I felt like a failure of a Mom. My poor child was latching on just fine, but getting nothing from my full breasts. The nurses tried everything to help only to fail and thus began the bottle feeding. It tore me a part to think I was harming my baby by not breast feeding.
When I was pregnant with my second child, I was asked if I was going to breast or bottle feed. I had moved and had a doctor that didn't know of
my past attempts. When I told her that I was going to bottle feed, she insisted that I was to try and breast feed my child. I tried over and over to explain that I had tried and failed miserably and, therefore, wished to just start off bottle feeding. She was furious with me. She wrote down that I was going to breast feed on my chart for the hospital staff and insisted that a specialist come into assist in "training" my breasts. I was so embarrassed and felt like a complete idiot.
I then began asking around and reading up on the topic. I didn't want to feel ignorant again. I learned that many of the "facts" the doctors want you to know are not entirely true. For instance, I was told that a breast fed baby is less likely to have to deal with illnesses. I have 2 friends, both breast fed their babies and their children have been riddled with ear infections. My sister did not breast feed and her child was also troubled with ear infections. Out of all 3 of my children, I have one that gets one ear infection a year.
I will not continue to bore you with all of the examples there are out there. I will, however, say that if you are expecting a child, educate yourself. Don't allow the doctors, or anyone for that matter, to tell you that you have to breast feed in order to have a healthy baby or be a "good mommy." I have 3 perfectly healthy, very intelligent children in spite of never being able to breast feed.
In closing, I want to add that I am not putting down all doctors. I think there are some wonderful caring doctors out there. I am blessed to now have a one. My point to this article is that you should not feel bad if you can't or don't wish to breast feed. You know your body best and should not have to feel like a failure or incompetent mother for not doing so. Educate yourself.
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Mommy3S
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Member: Angi
Location: Phoenix, AZ
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