If you are pregnant or have had a baby of your own, there’s a good chance that breastfeeding has been a topic you’ve spent time ruminating about—and for good reason. Statistics show that in the past five years, incidences of mothers who want to breastfeed have been on the rise again, for the first time since the 1970s. Prior to this time, breastfeeding was a natural and ingrained part of childbirth and delivery, and mothers throughout history never really explored many other options. As formulas became readily available and fairly inexpensive, mothers began bottle-feeding out of necessity. This also coincided with the decline in the number of mothers staying home after childbirth. The liberation of women, professionally and otherwise, has brought with it many changes in the parenting world, and breastfeeding has definitely been one of them.
The changes have largely been about attitude. While many working mothers throughout history have wanted to breastfeed their children and return to work, they haven’t always had the opportunities to do so. Breastfeeding was often deemed an indecent act that should only be done in private. The idea of pumping milk during work or storing bottles in the company refrigerator would not have been accepted in earlier times. Also, as paternal instincts became more popularized, it became more common to see dads changing diapers, wearing the maternal apron, and giving mom more freedom during the first few months after birth. This shift in gender roles made many women realize that bottle-feeding could help ensure that dads were more involved in child-rearing, thereby enhancing the capabilities of fathers worldwide.
Interestingly, as more moms began to bottle-feed, pediatricians and health organizations began to recognize the importance of breastfeeding and transitioned to a more natural approach. Yes, breastfeeding is natural. In fact, along with sex, it is one of the most natural aspects of humanity. Yet, despite this, some people still struggled to accept it due to concerns that the human breast—or worse, the nipple—might be seen in public or at work. This is where much opposition arose. One group of mothers, who felt more traditional, believed breastfeeding should be done at home, while another group was reevaluating its health benefits and began breastfeeding more openly, sometimes on park benches or in restaurants. Breastfeeding continues to be one of those endless debates in motherhood where the two sides often agree to disagree.
The bottom line is that, today, in 2010, breastfeeding is back by popular demand. A recent survey by the Academy of Obstetrics reports that two out of every three mothers plan to breastfeed, and that often, the third mother decides to try breastfeeding postpartum as well. Perhaps this can be attributed to the saying “knowledge is power,” or to the financial circumstances of the world. For many reasons, breastfeeding is important and beneficial.
Benefits of Breastfeeding
When it comes to breast or bottle, moms must decide what the benefits are. The health benefits for the baby are numerous. In fact, it seems that nearly every medical condition known to infancy is less common in breastfed babies. This can be attributed to the abundance of antibodies babies consume in breast milk. A stronger immune system means fewer illnesses, from asthma to colds. Additionally, breastfed babies gain weight more quickly because of the perfect balance of fats, proteins, and carbohydrates in breast milk, and have much better chances of maintaining a healthy weight throughout life. It seems that breastfeeding reduces many risks of diseases and illnesses in adulthood as well. Essentially, breastfed babies are healthier—chalk this up to nature’s bounty.
Other benefits include cost savings. Formula is expensive, as are bottles and other supplies, and the time spent preparing and cleaning them can really cut into your day. If your baby is having digestive issues, specially designed formulas can drain your bank account. Considering your baby will be drinking formula for quite some time, breastfeeding offers clear financial benefits. For mom, breastfeeding helps regulate hormones, reduces the risk of postpartum depression, and helps moms regain their pre-baby weight.
There is also an element of ease that comes with breastfeeding. Many moms who have both breastfed and bottle-fed a baby realize that it is much easier and less time-consuming to offer a breast. After all, the milk is always there, ready and waiting. At night, when the baby wakes up, there’s no time spent preparing bottles, and the baby can easily lie with you to breastfeed before being placed back in their crib. Many breastfed moms sleep with their babies and feel no disruption in their sleep. While this is not popular advice among health professionals, many moms do this without admitting it.
However, with all the benefits of breastfeeding, it’s important to realize that, for many women, it isn’t always a breeze.
Disadvantages of Breastfeeding
For many moms who desire to breastfeed, things don’t always go as planned. This can be devastating for a mom who had her heart set on breastfeeding. If you’re one of those women, remember that sometimes things just don’t work out, and your baby will still be perfectly healthy. Whether due to infant problems or nipple issues, some women simply can’t breastfeed. It can become painful, lead to recurrent infections, or the baby may not be getting enough milk. When things go wrong, breastfeeding can be not only frustrating physically, but emotionally as well.
Additionally, a breastfeeding mom can’t just hand the baby off to dad or disappear for the day. Sure, she can pump milk, but during the first 3-5 weeks, pediatricians generally recommend against offering a bottle for fear of nipple confusion. This means that, during those early weeks, you are literally tied down to the baby at all times.
There are also sociological challenges associated with breastfeeding, as discussed earlier in this article. You may be scorned by other mothers for breastfeeding in public, or, if you’re very modest, you may be troubled by how, when, and where to feed your baby when you’re not at home. This can affect the enjoyment of breastfeeding and hinder your desire to go out. Similarly, if you want to return to work, you’ll need to gauge your employer’s reaction to breastfeeding. Although legally, you cannot be discriminated against for breastfeeding, some colleagues may have an aversion to it, making things slightly complicated for a while.
Another disadvantage is that your body will still belong to someone else, much like it did when you were pregnant. You are encouraged to eat healthily, avoid alcohol at all times, and take steps to avoid eating things that might upset your baby’s digestion. If you love spicy food, this can make you feel like a prisoner. While this isn’t a huge deal, many women look forward to having their bodies back after delivery, and breastfeeding can delay that.
One thing to consider as you ponder breastfeeding is that it’s best not to get stuck on one idea. One of the problems with pregnancy is that there are always moms with big mouths eager to share every gory detail of their own personal experiences. You never know what the future holds for you. Your best friend might have had a horrific breastfeeding experience and try desperately to turn you off the idea. Another friend might think breastfeeding is the best thing in the world and make you feel like a bad mom if you’re not sold on the idea. And then there’s your baby. While some babies take to the breast naturally, others just don’t. Rather than make things miserable for you and your baby, think from a place of “what works for you!”
Remember, you may never breastfeed your first two children, only to find that when the third one comes along, you want to try. This doesn’t mean you have favoritism for one over the other. You may also be one of the many women who aren’t comfortable with breastfeeding, and that’s okay too. Steer clear of lactation consultants who, in the midst of doing their job, may apply too much pressure during a time when it’s the last thing you need. If you don’t want to breastfeed for any reason, just say no. If you want to try it and see how it goes, do so, knowing that there are other healthy options for you and your family. Every child, pregnancy, family, and woman is different and has differing views on breastfeeding.
You’ll also find that breastfeeding in public can be tricky. You’ll need to develop thick skin, knowing that many people from the “old school” world may still view it as a twisted “sexual” act. It absolutely isn’t. Also, consider what your husband thinks. This isn’t to say that his opinion should dictate your decision, but many men don’t like breastfeeding, especially if it goes on for a long time past infancy.
There’s no doubt about it: breastfeeding is a healthy option for your baby. Very little can be proven to the contrary, but it’s not the only option. Your decision about what’s best for your child is the one that matters most. When it comes to breastfeeding, doing what feels right for you and your family, while overcoming sociological pressures, is the best approach. Whatever you decide, be proud and confident that you are being the best mom you can be in all the ways you know how.
