I don’t necessarily love breastfeeding. Don’t get me wrong, there are moments I will always cherish of nursing Zoey, it helped with bonding, and I take pride in the fact that my body gave Zoey what she needed. But it hasn’t been one of those things I love to do. Part of the reason it hasn’t been all “mushy-gushy” is Zoey is the get-in-get-it-done-get-out kind of baby. She don’t mess around. But mainly, it’s been emotionally exhausting.
Breastfeeding has been the HARDEST part about pregnancy/birth/raising a baby. It’s hard learning how to breastfeed. It’s hard getting the hang of your baby. It’s hard sticking to it. It’s hard dealing with thrush, clogged ducts, mastitis, and bleeding nipples. It’s hard having people give you advice based on a formula fed baby, and dealing with feeling like you are doing it wrong. It’s hard being needed 24/7 for food. It’s hard sacrificing your wardrobe. It’s especially hard when they don’t take a bottle, and you can’t go anywhere for more than 3 hours without the baby. Whoever says breastfeeding is easy-lies. Sure, breastfeeding is more convenient. No washing, sterilizing, buying formula, preparing formula, wasting. Your boob is always there. It’s not easier.
I don’t resent nursing my baby. I honestly don’t. It’s just what I do, like changing a poopy diaper. It’s not a choice.
I think there are a few reasons a woman should have a choice to formula-fed. 1) Medications for serious diseases. I have a friend who could not breastfed because her epilepsy medication passed to her breast milk and is not safe for babies. Totally justifiable. 2) Multiples. Now, back in the day before formula mom’s nursed both the babies; but if we have a way to make mothering multiples easier, use it. Supplement with formula at night time with multiples, get some sleep. Don’t write breastfeeding off entirely, just supplement with care. 3) Legitimate milk production problems. Before Zoey was born, in a week’s time, 3 ladies told me they could only nurse till their baby was 3 months old because they “couldn’t make enough milk.” I was baffled. I asked my mom (veteran nurser!!) if this is a common problem. She said absolutely not. More times than not, milk production problems are just your problem. Not eating a healthy diet rich in fat and eating too much refined foods, not drinking enough water, supplementing with formula BEFORE 8 weeks, not nursing on-demand and putting the baby on a “typical” 3 hour feeding schedule, getting your baby to sleep through the night early on, etc. If you’ve tried everything under the sun, are eating healthy, taking herbal remedies that help with lactation, constantly nursing your newborn, and there is still a production problem, by all means, use formula. We don’t want the baby starving.
Other than these 3 things, I personally think breastfeeding is not a choice. Im not knocking those who formula-fed, I have lots of friends who do. But, unless there is something that keeps you from breastfeeding medically, check your attitude and heart. The fact is, feeding your baby is your job, not the formula companies. It truly breaks my heart that only 14.8% of babies are exclusively breastfed until 6 months. Truly sad.
Elizabeth Horn 
I love you my breast-feeding daughter!! It takes a lot of
courage and strength and patients and pain to stick with it!! Proud
of you kiddo!!!
I think whether a person finds breastfeeding to be easy, or not, is a matter of opinion. I “personally” feel like it IS easy. Maybe I’ve had better luck than some. Not sure. I have had to deal with lack of milk production, the need for Fenugreek to aid in production, a few cases of mastitis, and one baby who couldn’t latch properly, causing the sore/cracked nipples. When you write it all out, I suppose it doesn’t sound easy, and yet I still would say that, for me personally, It is one of the easiest things I have done. It takes a little bit of effort sometimes, but it’s not “hard”. Just my thoughts.
I have known women, however, you have had to deal with EVERY obstacle there is to BF. I have seen women whose babies had some disabilities, and could not BF, period, and yet they pushed through. One woman in particular, pumped her milk as the MAIN source of nutrition for her baby, for OVER A YEAR!!! That is some serious dedication in the face of extreme obstacles! Kudos to her!
Anyway, you know I always love your articles that help us see some of your personal life as a mama! Thanks for the article. LOVED the pic!
-Rachel
Rachel! I think it’s easy to push through all the obstacles if you truly believe and commit yourself to breastfeeding. For me, knowing that it’s my job and my privilege to nurse my baby is what keeps me going through all the obstacles, through all the hard nights, through the sacrifices. If I thought for one second that feeding my baby formula was ok, I would have given up. But i cant begin to lie and say that for me, it hasn’t been a struggle with my flesh everyday. But I believe so strongly that mothers should do everything in their power to breastfeed. Women who pump for a whole year, wow. Women who could easily give up, but press on, wow. That dedication and sacrifice is inspiration to us all.
This is great! I completely agree with you on this. For me BF was a real struggle in the beginning (Elenore refused to latch and I felt like I was failing her), but once we conquered that step, I can say that I was truly lucky and didn’t have any of the supply, infections, or other issues you mentioned above. I know I’m lucky and rare on that one, and really applaud you ladies who dealt with that and kept going!
Elenore and I are now at 15 months and going strong! I love Bfing. It has been a true bonding experience with me and my daughter 🙂
It is definitely something as a mother you want so badly to do right, and when things go wrong…oh it’s so horrible!
It really is! I sobbed the first few days after Elenore was born because of it 😦
Hooray for breast feeding.. I totally agree with your blog. It’s the best nutrition you can give your baby. Olivia is two and can’t get her off the breast milk (she doesn’t Take bottles). For women who’s babies can’t bf, the mother can always pump and give through bottle (i did it till Olivia learned to latch). Plus they have cookies and healthy things you can eat to produce more milk