This morning the Today Show featured a reporter who has written an article titled, "Is breast feeding really best?" It immediately caught my attention and I quickly logged on to the Today show website to read the article. It is different than any breastfeeding article I've ever read and I think it's worth sharing (it is a lengthy read, but very interesting). I rarely share personal views on my blog, partly because they are indeed personal, and also I don't ever want to appear to be "pushing" my opinions on others because that goes against everything I believe! But I found this article especially intriguing, the author/mother is questioning all the hype about the benefits of breastfeeding, all the while she is breastfeeding her 3rd consecutive child! I obviously think breastfeeding is great, I did it for 7 months (although never exclusively because I had issues with my supply, but that's whole other story) and I have some of the warmest and most special memories of that time with Ayden that I will cherish forever. That being said, the first 2 weeks of what I like to refer to as "breastfeeding bootcamp" were 2 of the most emotional and stressful weeks of my life. If not for my wonderful support system of family and friends (namely Melissa!) I know for a fact that I would have given up. Would that have made me a bad mother? ABSOLUTELY NOT! I can only assume that breastmilk is best, because, after all, it is natural and right from the source. But I do tend the think that studies promising smarter, healthier, thinner kids if you breastfeed are a little far-fetched. I can name a number of super healthy and intelligent kids who were bottle fed and another set of ear-infection and allergy prone kids who got nothing but breastmilk for 6+months. Not only that, but Ayden was never "exclusively" breastfed and has only been sick once in almost 19 months. You have to wonder what other factors were and were not included in those studies. And as far as intelligence goes, I think environment is a much more important factor- nuturing parents, enriching experiences, and of course a healthy diet to help the child thrive.
Bottom line: I think that when a mother is able and willing to breastfeed her child, it can be a very rewarding experience for both and just might help make the child healthier. But I also totally support mothers who, for whatever reason, are unable to breastfeed and give their babies formula. I think the measure of a mother should NOT be concluded upon whether or not she breastfeeds her child. A happy mother makes a happy baby and if a woman is having trouble breastfeeding and is under constant stress to do so, she cannot possibly be reaching her fullest potential in other areas of mothering. Okay, I put it out on the table how I really feel! I would love hear the opinions of all you other mommies out there!
4 comments:
I agree. I have 3 children. My first child didnt get a drop of breastmilk, and she is in the advanced program and gifted and talented--and is hardly ever sick.
I think that formula has come a long way from the canned pet milk and corn syrup our parents received! And look how they turned out, lol! Formula companies are very competetive in striving to make formula more like breast milk, and I think that plays a big role too. I agree with if you are able and willing, breast is best, but sometimes things arise that you cannot control, and in those cases, we should just know that the formula-fed baby may be still end up being CEO to the booby baby someday anyway :o)
Good for you, baby girl! I get so frustrated with all the pressure to do the "right" thing, when "right" is so "relative" :)
And Melissa's right..formula's come a LONG way from when I was a baby.. it really was corn syrup and pet milk -- yuk!! And moms were ENCOURAGED to use it! (and we survived in spite of it) :)
I doubt the science is really quite as cut-and-dried as they portray it to be, but I know that I have had very positive experiences nursing my 3... The older two are smart and rarely ill (whether or not this has anything to do with being breastfed, I have no idea, but it is a blessing anyway!), and little Norah loves to nurse and is growing like a weed! Interesting to see a different point of view on the breastfeeding issue, but if we're giving opinions then I guess mine is still pro-nursing! : )
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