When we do ourselves more harm than good....
Sometimes it sucks being a woman. It really does. The decisions we make are scrutinized to the nth degree, and no matter what we do, someone takes issue with it. Stay at home moms versus working moms. Moms who choose to circumcise their children and moms who don't. Moms who choose to vaccinate and moms who don't. And moms who choose to breastfeed and moms who don't. It's sometimes all out war; and not between the sexes. It's between ourselves. I sometimes think that we do more to undermine all of the rights that we have than anyone else does. As I was reading this article http://today.msnbc.msn.com/id/48447825/ns/today-today_health/t/new-yorks-pro-breastfeeding-stance-draws-criticism/, the positions of people blow my mind.
How is the mayor, a man, going to propose legislation that formula be treated as a medication in hospitals and therefore must meet a medical need before being dispensed? I am a fierce proponent for breastfeeding. I nursed both of my children. With my daughter, I wanted to quit so badly. My nipples cracked and bled, and I literally sobbed in pain every time she fed for the first few days. I knew in my heart that "breast was best", so I persevered. Should I have been penalized if I decided to give up? Should I have been treated like some sort of pariah because I chose to formula feed my child? I nursed my daughter for a full year and I'd do it all over again tomorrow. I had a breast reduction for medical reasons after she was born, and I specifically found a plastic surgeon who could ensure that I would be able to nurse future children. When my son came along, I nursed him as well, but I couldn't nurse as much. I had to supplement him with formula. Does that make me a bad mom?
I was an exclusively formula fed baby. My siblings were, and most of my friends at the time I had my first child formula fed as well. Not nursing didn't keep me from graduating high school. From going to college. From being (reasonably) intelligent. From being able to hold down a high pressure job in the health care field. I don't think I was scarred in any way from having a bottle. My mom was a working mom. She didn't have a choice. I had the luxury of staying home for a year with my daughter, and staying home until my son started kindergarten. Many people don't have that. It's work and keep the lights on. Keep food in the pantry. Keep clothes on your back. Should they be made to feel "less" because of the choices they make?
Don't get me wrong, I believe 1 million percent in breastfeeding. I even considered being a Lactation Specialist because I'm one of the few people that I know that was successfully able to nurse after breast reduction surgery. I wholeheartedly agree with the health benefits of breast milk. However, I will never ever ever look down on someone because of what their personal choice is. I think that mothers should be informed of their CHOICES, yes. I think that the health benefits and risks should be explained. Just like vaccines. You can choose to not vaccinate your child. I believe in vaccines, and I think that the risks and benefits should be explained to everyone. However, what you choose to do after being informed is up to you.
Ultimately, I think we, as women, need to do more to empower each other instead of tear each other down. We need to be okay with each other's choices, and even if we don't agree with them, we have to support one another. We have to realize that we all have our battles to fight against the world at large, and not create battles between one another when the one unifying factor is that we all want what is best for our children.
How is the mayor, a man, going to propose legislation that formula be treated as a medication in hospitals and therefore must meet a medical need before being dispensed? I am a fierce proponent for breastfeeding. I nursed both of my children. With my daughter, I wanted to quit so badly. My nipples cracked and bled, and I literally sobbed in pain every time she fed for the first few days. I knew in my heart that "breast was best", so I persevered. Should I have been penalized if I decided to give up? Should I have been treated like some sort of pariah because I chose to formula feed my child? I nursed my daughter for a full year and I'd do it all over again tomorrow. I had a breast reduction for medical reasons after she was born, and I specifically found a plastic surgeon who could ensure that I would be able to nurse future children. When my son came along, I nursed him as well, but I couldn't nurse as much. I had to supplement him with formula. Does that make me a bad mom?
I was an exclusively formula fed baby. My siblings were, and most of my friends at the time I had my first child formula fed as well. Not nursing didn't keep me from graduating high school. From going to college. From being (reasonably) intelligent. From being able to hold down a high pressure job in the health care field. I don't think I was scarred in any way from having a bottle. My mom was a working mom. She didn't have a choice. I had the luxury of staying home for a year with my daughter, and staying home until my son started kindergarten. Many people don't have that. It's work and keep the lights on. Keep food in the pantry. Keep clothes on your back. Should they be made to feel "less" because of the choices they make?
Don't get me wrong, I believe 1 million percent in breastfeeding. I even considered being a Lactation Specialist because I'm one of the few people that I know that was successfully able to nurse after breast reduction surgery. I wholeheartedly agree with the health benefits of breast milk. However, I will never ever ever look down on someone because of what their personal choice is. I think that mothers should be informed of their CHOICES, yes. I think that the health benefits and risks should be explained. Just like vaccines. You can choose to not vaccinate your child. I believe in vaccines, and I think that the risks and benefits should be explained to everyone. However, what you choose to do after being informed is up to you.
Ultimately, I think we, as women, need to do more to empower each other instead of tear each other down. We need to be okay with each other's choices, and even if we don't agree with them, we have to support one another. We have to realize that we all have our battles to fight against the world at large, and not create battles between one another when the one unifying factor is that we all want what is best for our children.
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