Post by pinktorontogirl on Nov 28, 2006 22:14:39 GMT
to THE DEBATE
To breastfeed or to bottle feed............
It is not uncommon that nursing mothers receive negative comments from their relatives, friends, or even complete strangers about how they feed their baby. Some people (mistakenly) think it is "gross" or that it shouldn't be done in public, etc.
Then on the other hand, some health care workers and well-meaning but not so tactful breastfeeding activists sometimes condemn formula-feeding mothers and try to "lecture" to them about the better way in a pushy manner. These mothers often end up feeling guilty after such attacks if they couldn't/didn't breastfeed.
Don't condemn her for exposing her breast in public....nothing wrong with it while nursing.
Breastfeeding has many benefits for you and your new baby, it’s far healthier for your baby to be breastfed for at least the first two weeks. It will also help you to lose weight after your baby is born.
In the first few weeks after your baby is born you body produces fluid called colostrum, it is then breastfed to your baby. This is important as it passes on a copy of your immune system to your baby.
Bottle feeding gives you more flexibility if you are nervous or embarrassed about having to "expose" yourself in public places. This is a natural feeling and some mums are more comfortable with bottle feeding their babies. There isn't a problem with this, the only major disadvantage is that your baby isn't getting a copy of your immune system and can be more prone to infections.
There are some sound medical reasons for bottle feeding, like if the baby is lactose intolerant (very rare) or if mother needs a medication that would be very harmful to the baby (though with many medications you can continue breastfeed normally). Some women also have hypoplastic (underdeveloped) breasts and their breasts don't have enough milk making tissue. In these cases the mother needs support, not condemnation.
And if a mum is bottle-feeding a baby, you can not know whether the liquid in the bottle might be her own expressed breast milk, or formula! Some women know the importance of breast milk but have no option but to pump their breast milk for the baby (for various reasons; for example if the baby has a problem with sucking or latching), and are actually doing a double-duty that way.
If you bottle feed, and it is the best you could do, there is no reason to feel guilty.
Babies need more than milk. They need love, guidance, nurturing, and all the other wonderful things that you can provide regardless of whether you are able to feed them at the breast. Please remember that your babies love you for all of you and for all that you provide for them!
To breastfeed or to bottle feed............
Don't condemn her for bottle feeding....you are not in her shoes.
It is not uncommon that nursing mothers receive negative comments from their relatives, friends, or even complete strangers about how they feed their baby. Some people (mistakenly) think it is "gross" or that it shouldn't be done in public, etc.
Then on the other hand, some health care workers and well-meaning but not so tactful breastfeeding activists sometimes condemn formula-feeding mothers and try to "lecture" to them about the better way in a pushy manner. These mothers often end up feeling guilty after such attacks if they couldn't/didn't breastfeed.
Don't condemn her for exposing her breast in public....nothing wrong with it while nursing.
Breastfeeding has many benefits for you and your new baby, it’s far healthier for your baby to be breastfed for at least the first two weeks. It will also help you to lose weight after your baby is born.
In the first few weeks after your baby is born you body produces fluid called colostrum, it is then breastfed to your baby. This is important as it passes on a copy of your immune system to your baby.
Bottle feeding gives you more flexibility if you are nervous or embarrassed about having to "expose" yourself in public places. This is a natural feeling and some mums are more comfortable with bottle feeding their babies. There isn't a problem with this, the only major disadvantage is that your baby isn't getting a copy of your immune system and can be more prone to infections.
There are some sound medical reasons for bottle feeding, like if the baby is lactose intolerant (very rare) or if mother needs a medication that would be very harmful to the baby (though with many medications you can continue breastfeed normally). Some women also have hypoplastic (underdeveloped) breasts and their breasts don't have enough milk making tissue. In these cases the mother needs support, not condemnation.
And if a mum is bottle-feeding a baby, you can not know whether the liquid in the bottle might be her own expressed breast milk, or formula! Some women know the importance of breast milk but have no option but to pump their breast milk for the baby (for various reasons; for example if the baby has a problem with sucking or latching), and are actually doing a double-duty that way.
If you bottle feed, and it is the best you could do, there is no reason to feel guilty.
Babies need more than milk. They need love, guidance, nurturing, and all the other wonderful things that you can provide regardless of whether you are able to feed them at the breast. Please remember that your babies love you for all of you and for all that you provide for them!