Breastfeeding: It's Evolutionary

Breastfeeding, yes I am writing about breastfeeding AGAIN. It seems that a huge controversial issue in the mommy community is breastfeeding. For some reason women who do not breastfeed feel the need to explain to breastfeeding mothers why they don't do it. Honestly, it's your life and you do what you feel is best. Obviously you are doing what you "feel" is best. But let me tell you. I don't breastfeed because it's what "feels" best because really it doesn't feel that great. I have gotten scabs from breastfeeding and bled. Breastfeeding mothers still have to deal with tons of pregnancy hormones, not to mention Relaxin is still in the system until breastfeeding is concluded and stays in the system for up to six months after. So we still deal with our crazy selves like we did when we were pregnant.

The commitment to breastfeeding is enormous. Breastfeeding mothers get up throughout the night and feed their babies and then they do it all day. Which some mothers do with formula but I have heard that father's are more involved with formula feeding. We don't get a "break" for our husbands or other family members to feed them. Some women will say, especially those with zero experience, why don't you just pump? Well pumping is not the most effective way to build  solid supply. Possibly after the supply is built, maybe. But then you have cases like with my daughter who will not take other bottles or pacifiers.

My biggest pet peeve is when a woman goes out of her way to explain why she isn't breastfeeding when those are really just excuses. Almost every excuse I have heard I have experienced myself but I still do it. Just because a mother is successful at breastfeeding doesn't mean it was easier for her or came naturally. It is hard work for every mother. The difference between the two is that one mother didn't give up. And occasionally the woman who claims that she didn't produce any milk or had some kind of genetic malfunction. Breastfeeding mothers deal with feeding their babies no matter where they are, even if its in public. We can't leave our babies for long extended periods of time. We can't go out with the girls and get wasted. The fact that I do not get enough breaks actually makes me more stressed, but I am not doing it for me. I am doing it for my child. I am doing it because I want my baby to have the best chance at good health and nutrition as possible. I am not saying I am better than anyone because I breastfeed. I do not compare myself in that way.

Before formula was invented by marketing companies we had to breastfeed. There were no other options. There were no excuses. If you didn't feed your baby they died. Formula was first created to be given to infants who's mothers died in labor. It was not mainstream, Now formula is promoted everywhere even though everyone knows that breastmilk has been scientifically proven to be healthier for babies. How smart are the formula companies! They promote so well that they convince mothers to pay for nutrition even though breastmilk is completely free.

So if you chose to formula feed, please do not make up excuses for why you "couldn't" breastfeed. Own your decision and be proud of it. Because every excuse you name only makes you look like you know breastfeeding is best but you chose otherwise. Some mothers need to formula feed if the have to go back to work and for some reason chose not to pump. Many friends I have known who wanted to do exclusively breast pumping lost their supply within 3 months. It is not the best way to build milk supply.

As generations pass it is becoming more and more difficult for woman to breastfeed. Why is this? Well, many woman are choosing not to breastfeed. Have you ever heard the saying "use it or lose it"? It's evolutionary! If we do not use what we have, will will lose the ability. I bet in the next 50 years even fewer woman will be breastfeeding because the generations before did not. We will be the only species that feeds our babies another animals milk.

No more excuses ladies. Breastfeed or not, but own your decision.

On a side note I would like to address mothers who have tried to breastfeed. You breastfed! Congrats to you! It doesn't matter how long you breastfed for. This blog is not aimed towards women who tried their best to give their child breastmilk. Some women for physiological/biological reasons are unable to breastfeed.There is nothing ethically wrong with breastfeeding. I speak from a nutritional prospective.