I breastfeed because....
One of the many emails that came through today caught my eye. "I breastfeed because..." appears to be a campaign related to a new electric pump that is on the market. New product aside, the campaign is catchy, and is directly related to my upcoming dilemma on whether or not to part from my purely-nursed 10-month old this weekend. It's a great conversation in honor of World Breastfeeding Week. SO: why do you breastfeed?
I breastfed because it felt right. Plus (after the to be expected initial start-up problems) it was EASY. Nothing to carry.
Posted by: amom | August 03, 2010 at 10:20 AM
It's easier and I'm lazy-also TIRED! I can sleep and nurse at the same time and never have to prepare or clean bottles. It is nature's gift to a mom!
Posted by: JustBreathe | August 03, 2010 at 10:21 AM
I breastfed and also pumped at work for a long time. My main reasons for pumping and nursing are similar to what everybody would say: health, convenience, bonding. I believe that many reasons are good to start the weaning process, but my work schedule should not be one. As much as I tried to remain professional and committed to my job, I wasn't going to wean my child for the convenience of my employer.
Posted by: ajy | August 03, 2010 at 11:03 AM
i don't breastfeed. my daughter does. because this is her choice and it nourishes her body and soul. we are connected physically, emotionally, and metaphorically. the peace she receives from our bond is reason enough for me, just as joyous independence and a sense of accomplishment on her part would ease the pain of weaning :).
Posted by: molli | August 03, 2010 at 11:54 AM
Well said, Molli! I second you. I have a dilemma as my fertility does not seem to have returned yet due to breastfeeding. I may have to wean in order to be able to give my daughter a sibling. This has been so hard for me to accept but after 18 months I am starting to consider weaning but for that one reason only... When or is a sibling more important than the breastfeeding relationship?
Posted by: Sahi | August 03, 2010 at 12:48 PM
i breastfeed my almost 2 year old because when she is done we'll never get that closeness and special bond back. it's a magical relationship (not to mention the antibodies and calming properties involved). i believe she is and will be a better person for it.
Posted by: mamipdx | August 03, 2010 at 12:52 PM
I breastfed my guy because it worked for us. I wanted to give him the best start possible, and after the first 2 weeks (ouch), it was the easiest thing to do. I was lucky to have an amazing supply, he was fat, happy and healthy and I had no problem pumping while at work to keep up on my stash. We weaned at 1 year, we were both ready, but I would like to nurse longer with the next one if he or she wants to. Partly for the extra calorie expense, I gained weight after we stopped! It was so much easier to nurse than to go to the gym ;-)
Posted by: woolymamma | August 03, 2010 at 01:17 PM
I breastfeed because of all the health benefits, the immunity, the antibodies passed on to babe, especially in the earliest days.
I breastfeed also because of the closeness and bond with baby. I breastfeed because it gives me alone downtime with the babe. I breastfeed as much for his physical and emotional needs as much as for mine (more emotional than anything).
Posted by: olivia | August 03, 2010 at 02:07 PM
I nursed (and will again soon) because we both loved it. It was a struggle at first, but we grew to have a wonderful breastfeeding relationship that lasted almost 19 months.
@ Sahi. I, too, weaned to become pregnant. We were nursing only once a day when I decided to lead my daughter through the process -- and I think the fact that we had gradually cut down so much made it a pretty gentle process for both of us. Just nursing once a day was enough to keep me from getting pregnant. We conceived three months later. I understand your dilemma.
Posted by: wami | August 03, 2010 at 03:40 PM
I nursed (and will again soon) because we both loved it. It was a struggle at first, but we grew to have a wonderful breastfeeding relationship that lasted almost 19 months.
@ Sahi. I, too, weaned to become pregnant. We were nursing only once a day when I decided to lead my daughter through the process -- and I think the fact that we had gradually cut down so much made it a pretty gentle process for both of us. Just nursing once a day was enough to keep me from getting pregnant. We conceived three months later. I understand your dilemma.
Posted by: wami | August 03, 2010 at 03:40 PM
I breastfed my daughter because there was breastfeeding since the beginning of time. One of the marketing campaigns they used to use for formula was "you don't know what is in your breastmilk, but we DO know what is in formula. Don't you want to know what's in the food you feed your baby?" Yes, I do. And I know that what I put into my body and what my body put into my breastmilk was the best thing for my baby. Evolution has proven this.
Posted by: Debby | August 03, 2010 at 05:13 PM
I breast feed my children because I think it is the healthiest choice for them and me-physically and emotionally. It has been one of the best experiences of my life.
Posted by: jessi dey | August 03, 2010 at 06:05 PM
Ditto to ALL of the above. I'm thrilled that I was lucky enough to have breastfed our daughter for the first two years of her life.
Posted by: allison | August 03, 2010 at 07:59 PM
i agree with ajy...i breastfed my son until he was 18 months and now have breastfed my daughter for 9 months and counting. i would never allow my professional commitments and choice to work interfere with my choice to nurse my babies for health, bonding and nourishment. i'm thankful to have them close by so that i can actually nurse them the majority of the time i'm working and pump when i can't. it has always just felt right for me and i'm so thankful that i've been able to do it. every pound they've gained i feel so proud and the time that we spend together with my babies in my arms is precious. plus it sure is easier = the days when i do pump and i have to pack bottles (that they rarely take!) are such a pain because it's so much work!
Posted by: ag | August 03, 2010 at 10:00 PM
I breastfeed because it has been the best thing for my son and I. It nourishes us both body and soul. We are starting the weaning process after 2.5 years and I'm trying to see it as a move into a new season of our relationship rather than a goodbye... I saw on a formula can the other day that the first 2 ingrediants are high fructose corn syrup and sugar. Moms need to have more options if unable to breatsfeed and more support around breastfeeding. I couldn't have done it without my family and friends.
Posted by: Kara | August 03, 2010 at 10:06 PM
I breastfed because I couldn't stand the thought of my son having formula. I've seen it contipate babies and he never had that issue. Also, it was such a bonding experience. I still see mothers nursing their babies and get nostalgic for it. The weight loss was great too! I always saw celebrity moms brag about weight loss secrets after baby and I rolled my eyes. All you have to do (at least for me and most of the women I know) it breastfeed. but it's hard at first. I needed my sisters and mother who all breastfed. Get support and advice from close friends!
Posted by: pdxmama | August 04, 2010 at 09:54 AM
Sahi, I had the EXACT same dilemma as you did when my daughter was 18 mos. old. We gradually cut back to once a day (in the morning) and then concieved her baby sister 3 months later.
Good luck with it all.
Posted by: Ms Planner | August 05, 2010 at 01:18 PM
I did not breast feed because, the Dr's and lactation failed to see that my son was tongue tied. Because they were so focused on the fact that I had a breast reduction and it was my body that failed my son due to a lack of supply. I pumped and pumped and pumped, took supplements. Tried with a shield, with out, with a tube taped to my breast and became tired, stressed and angery at the world. I gave my son formula. This post depresses me.
Posted by: depressed mother who used formula | August 05, 2010 at 03:45 PM
Thank you Wami and Ms. Planner. It is nice to know that I am not the only one with this problem, and that other people have had happy endings.
Sorry DM that you had such a sad experience. It was not your fault if that helps at all...
Posted by: Sahi | August 06, 2010 at 12:14 AM
I'm so sorry DM for the situation you were in. I used to work at an ENT office and worked with tongue tied patients, short frenulums and issues around latching on. I saw insurance companies deny the surgeries that would correct it stating it was not medically necessary. It's too bad the doctors couldn't see what was going on. If they had they could have probably corrected it in time for you to nurse. I wish I could take back the statement for never wanting to use formula. If I was in a different situation I may have acted very differently. I was glad that I could breastfeed but I know that in some situations it's not always possible. I was speaking from the point of view that it was very painful and we had minor latching issues but it wasn't a good enough reason to give up. nipple scabs and teeth clenching pain come with starting to nurse. I knew this and I knew it wasn't a good enough reason for me to quit. Had I had bigger issues who knows what I would have done. Mothers are in no place to judge one another. we have to stick together. Of course you did what was best in your situation. but regardless, I'm truly sorry for making a statement that sounded judgemental to formula users and anybody that couldn't nurse. We all are the best mothers we can be.
Posted by: pdxmama | August 06, 2010 at 10:23 AM
Depressed mother,
I'm so sorry for your experience and the lack of support and help you received. I, too, had a breast reduction and received immense support at a web site called Bfar.org (breastfeeding after reduction surgery). I sincerely believe the information and support I received there was instrumental to my ability to breastfeed.
Posted by: wami | August 06, 2010 at 01:42 PM
Depressed Mom-
My heart goes out to you. I managed to beastfeed my daughter and had to supplement because my supply was low. We went through hell and back again and I consider it a miracle that we were able to nurse at all. I *always* cringe when unknowing moms say hurtful things, or treat breastfeeding nonchalantly. For some moms, it's never easy, and for some, it's impossible. For what it's worth, I think how we feed our children is just as important as what we feed them.
Posted by: momazon | August 06, 2010 at 03:39 PM
Ladies, Thank you. I did not mean to make anyone feel bad about their opinions about formula. I’ll admit when I hear people talk bad about it, it upsets me but that wasn’t why I said what I said. It does feel like sometimes woman act like they are better because they breast fed. But that’s my own issue. I do not think that’s what they mean just how I feel. Heck I used to judge moms when I saw them with a bottle. I would think why aren’t the breast feeding their child, how lazy, its so much better for them. Oh how we learn how things really are when it’s our own turn! I had support from my mom friends. They knew my situation. No one judged me. I wanted to share my story, and struggles. You’re all lucky. Society just gives up on us. They say and we know breast milk is best, but they are so quick to push formula and just give up because there is a readily available solution. Maybe if it wasn’t so easy they would have kept trying. Maybe if my husband and I had more leave, we could have kept trying. If I had been more vigilant I may have been able to go to a milk bank. But that also requires time and effort.
To be continued.
Posted by: depressed mother who used formula | August 06, 2010 at 05:04 PM
I only got 10 weeks of leave. I spent a month trying. It was so frustrating. I would pump and pump and get maybe an ounce. I would put that in a tube; fill the shield only to have him spill my liquid gold. We tried it with formula I would cry, get frustrated with him. I took herbs, and took a prescription that is illegal in the US. I was spending more than formula would cost because it was not covered by insurance. It began to affect my relationship with my son and my husband and I decided enough was enough. I listened to other moms talk about engorgement and thought to myself, if only. I wished I could have had that bonding that a mother gets with her child when you breast feed. But I didn’t. I did the best for my son. We took baths together to have skin to skin bonding time, I did infant massage. We bonded. But it still hurts. I tried kellymom.com, the bfar site as well but as a new mom, who went back to work, and a 10 lb baby dropping weight I did not have a ton of options. We did not get to nurse right away in the hospital. I had a C section. I did not get to have that skin to skin immediate to the breast contact after his birth. I am now armed with knowledge on how it could have been. Things will be different next time. I will try again. Maybe it will work, maybe it wouldn’t. This weekend when you go to the great latch on, Think of all the mom’s who didn’t get to breast feed, and not by choice. And support us to. I would maybe go, just to support with my son, who is now almost 3 but I think it would be too hard.
Posted by: depressed mother who used formula | August 06, 2010 at 05:05 PM
I breastfeed because its second nature. I don't think about it, it just happens. My body makes milk. My baby knows what to do and tells me when she needs it. In fact, she is calling now...
Posted by: Joie | August 09, 2010 at 12:02 AM
DM - You sound like a wonderful mother to me, and that is the best gift a child can have. Next time around, call Nursing Mothers Counsel for extra support. NMC is a great resource to help mamas reach their breastfeeding goals. We have free prenatal BF classes, 24 hour warmline, with non-judgemental mama to mama counseling, back to work lactation programs, low cost pump sales and rentals, a partnership with Beyond Birth Lactation Services with grant funding for WIC eligible families.
Posted by: lea | August 16, 2010 at 05:38 AM