The Choice is Yours..
Feb 11 '00
In this day in this century there are many choices out there. Many of those cannot cast as a bad parent or makes you a great parent in other's eyes like Breastfeeding. As the Daughter of some very Laid Back people, dare I say Birkenstock Wearing Parents, I was of the opinion that Natural is better.
But I was also given the tools to make that decision, and I hope that I help you make a decision you will be comfortable with also.
Through out my pregnancy I was asked Whether or not I was going to Breastfeed. I answered "Yes if I can." You would not believe the Comments that some women told me. They ranged from "Breast feeding is Natural OF COURSE you can breast feed and SHOULD.. It is BEST" to "Breast Feeding is OVERATED why do you think they Made Formula, Practically the same thing only not as Disgusting".
I was able to breast feed and I was pleased with My decision. But I also supplemented with Formula because I Felt weird about handing my husband, or mother a bottle of breast milk. If my son got Breast milk it came from me., and because I have overly large Breasts and it was hard for me to Pump. My son had ONE bottle a day and that was his last one at night. And For 6 months he was healthy and happy. I stopped breast-feeding for 2 reasons. The first being that I truly DID NOT enjoy the whole experience. I loved my son, but for me Breast-feeding was not the Miracle and special moments I had envisioned. At about 6 months I had grown to absolutely hate it. It drained my energy, and kept me tied down in ways I had not envisioned. This is not to say that other women don't have better experiences. The second reason was because My son REQUIRED too much for me to continue to breast feed him and it actually was causing my health to decline. He was up to 58oz a DAY and he was getting cereal. I will do it again and maybe it will be different next time, but if I cant then I will be fine with that too…Those were my reasons.
3 friends had children around the same time,
1) Wanted DESPERATELY to breastfeed, went to SEVERAL lactation experts she was one of those Militant Breastfeeding moms and was unable to breast feed, her daughter could not latch on correctly and after 3 months gave up. She had no choice, so why should she feel guilty. Her daughter is healthy and happy.
2) Wanted nothing to do with it. She was a militant bottle Mom "after all it is the same stuff, I was on the bottle" did she EVER regret her decision NOPE she made it and was more than pleased with it. Her daughter has never been sick and is VERY smart. Did it hurt her to be bottle fed Oh probably not.
3) Militant Breastfeeding Mom-- She breastfeeds even today, Pregnant with second kid, son about 2 years old. She Condemns women who didn't, she even is a LACTATION consultant. She is happy with her decision and doesn't regret it, but she often makes other feel like they neglected their child. (although secretly she bores most of her friends when she gets on this subject JJ , we love her anyway)
Breastfeeding or Not Breastfeeding is a personal decision, don't let other force you one way or another. Go the way you feel is right for you. It won't make you a bad mother, and it wont make you a great one. All of the women I have mentioned are of my best friends, they have wonderful children that I love to death, and all are WONDERFUL mothers.
So make your decision, and let your Heart Guide you! Everyone is different with Different Ideals and needs. But the most important Issue in Motherhood is not whether or not you breastfeed but if you love your child unconditionally.
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Epinions.com ID:
Satogy
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Location: Rome, Ga
Reviews written: 40
Trusted by: 42 members
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