I chose to discuss breastfeeding this week because I chose not to breastfeed my son and have had to defend my choice ever since. Breastfeeding is a very healthy, natural and important way to nurture and bond with your baby. However, I did not personally feel as if breastfeeding was right for me. While pregnant with my son, I researched for countless hours over the breastfeeding/formula feeding debate. While there are pros and cons on both sides, I chose formula for my son. He is a thriving and healthy baby and I do not regret my decision. I recall a few months ago when supermodel Gisele Bundchen had just given birth and told the media "breastfeeding should be a world-wide law." I know I personally felt violated and looked down upon from this very bias statement. What a woman chooses to do with her breast is her decision. The role of the mother is to nurture and care for her baby the best way that she can but there is no right way to do so. Some mothers chose to breastfeed half of the time and formula feed the other half. Some only breastfeed for a few weeks and switch to formula. There is no right or wrong method as long as the baby is being properly nourished. I have actually been extremely impressed with the quality of formula and wish more mothers were open to the idea, even if they do not chose that for their babies. Some women are physically incapable of breastfeeding their babies and should not feel like less of a mother for it. I would love to raise awareness on this very sensitive and personal issue so that we could all feel a little less judged.
I chose to research breastfeeding in Kenya. In fact, the women who do not breastfeed only refrain due to strict doctor's orders. It is common to breastfeed your child until the age of two there and breastfeeding in public is the norm. Breasts are not sexualized in Kenya as they are in the United States. Perhaps if I lived in Kenya I would feel differently about the need to breastfeed my son. However, breastfeeding is certainly a multicontextual subject and there really is not right or wrong decision. I know many people will disagree with me on this very important issue but let's respect each other's decisions and agree to disagree.
Resource:
http://www.007b.com/public-breastfeeding-world.php
Brava! Personally I've never felt judged or less than a woman or mom, because my milk dried up after 2 months of breast feeding, but I can see how some women may feel that way. I enjoyed reading your post because it has enlightend me. You bring up excellent points!
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