Since I joined an online community, I've been enjoying reading different stories and such that other moms have posted. What is really shocking to me is how many myths about breastfeeding there really are out there. Some of them have been passed on through family, others are passed on by Doctors and Nurses, and some by poorly educated lactation consultants. So I've decided to round up some of the biggest myths that I've come across, put them up here and debunk them.
1. You only make what you are able to pump.
This one is so very very wrong. You make much more than you are able to pump. Some mothers are able to pump several ounces and others are only able to pump a few, if any. This is not an indication of how much milk you are making. A breast pump is a marvelous invention, but it has one major drawback compared to how a baby nurses. It doesn't knead the milk ducts in your breast the way a baby does. It only sucks. When a baby nurses it both kneads and sucks. Any mother who doubts her milk production because of what she is able to pump, only needs to nurse her baby after a pumping session. Lean in and listen closely to the sounds your baby is making. You are most likely to hear the sound of swallowing as your baby taps into milk that was not released when pumping.
2. My milk never came in.
Granted there are some women who do have medical conditions and they really do not make milk. This is for the moms who never experience the burning sensation of engorgement from their milk coming in. My only question in return, is if the mother has been nursing their baby this whole time. There are some babies who drink so much that they actually drink everything their mother is making, so the mother never experiences the pain of engorgement. Every baby is different and once again all you have to do is listen to the sounds that baby is making while nursing and whether there are plenty of wet diapers. If there are, than your milk has come in and your baby is simply enjoying it so much and has saved you from engorgement.
3. My Supply is Gone.
This is a hard call to make on your own. There are many mothers who believe because they don't feel "full" all of the time that their supply is gone and that their baby is going to starve. Granted there are times, when baby throws a fit at the breast. This can be for a list of reasons. They are overtired, they are suffering growing pains, or they have gas pains. Sometimes, it is because they have had all that is in your breast and are still hungry. In these situations, the mother needs to drink more hydrating fluids (NO COFFEE or SODA) and continue to put baby to the breast. The more baby is put to the breast, the more milk will be made. The longer the baby is allowed to stay on one side, the more thoroughly the breast will be emptied and the more milk baby will get. The letting down mechanism in the breast works in waves. All the milk is not released at once. As the baby continue to nurses, different muscles squeeze different milk ducts, releasing more milk. If you pay attention you will notice it. Also it goes back to the basics of "Is baby wetting enough? Is baby Gaining?" if the answers are 'YES' than your supply is not gone.
Also, your breasts change feeling when you have been nursing for a while. They go from feeling firm all the time to soft. This simply means that your body has adjusted the supply to meet the demand of your baby. This also gives out the idea that your supply is low. There are supplements that you can take to increase your supply or keep a steady high supply.
-Mother's Milk tea
-Brewers Yeast
-Oatmeal
-Fenugreek tablets
-Lactation cookies
These are but a few that can be ingested to increase milk supply or help with a healthy supply.
4.Nurse for only 10mins on each side.
This is something that hospital lactation consultants say to new mothers, not to create that habit, but to get them used to nursing on each side. After nursing has been established, this trend needs to be adjusted. If you continue this trend, it will actually affect your milk supply. Baby needs to eat on each side until they are sated on that side. The habit of putting baby on the last breast that was nursed on last needs to be started. For example: baby started on the left and finished on the right during the last session. For the next session, baby needs to start on the right and finish on the left. This give each breast the chance to be fully emptied and for a true supply and demand system to function properly.
5 Your baby will starve because the supply does not meet the demand.
This is a lie. This is what mothers say to other mothers to make them give up or not try to nurse. I read a wonderful story about a mother who had only one functional breast and she breastfeed all of her children, including a set of twins. Saying this is like saying that you can only get a glass of water from a faucet. Every time you put baby to breast, you will make more of a milk supply for baby. Every time you turn on the faucet, you get more water out (unless the city shut off the water, but you get the idea.).
There has become this mentality of showing support to mothers who let themselves fail at breastfeeding. They are allowed to think that their half hearted attempt at nursing is ok. They shrug their shoulders and say "At least I tried." The worst part about this trend is that they tell their story to other moms who say they are thinking about nursing, which may make these expectant mothers think "Well it didn't work for them, maybe it won't work for me...". Then when they "fail" at nursing, there is a group of women who pat them on the back and all say "At least you tried." when really, they didn't. They did a half hearted attempt and spent less time and energy on finding a real answer then they did picking out their baby's last outfit. This is the destructive mentality that is out there, breeding and spreading like a wild weed.
Monday, January 30, 2012
Sunday, January 22, 2012
Doing the Math....
There has been a lot of disturbing news that has reached my ears lately. A lot of numbers about how much families are being affected by the economic crisis and most sadly, how they are reacting to it.
There have been two studies that have recently come out reporting on what parents are doing and how it is affecting their children. The first to come out stated that 1 in 3 families were struggling to buy diapers and that parents were resorting to reusing diapers. They do this by putting just the wet diapers on a radiator or use a hair dryer, to dry up the gel again and then reuse it on their little one.
The second report just came out recently on how 1 in 8 families is watering down formula because they cannot afford to buy formula. This is resulting in the babies suffering from a disorder known as "Failure to Thrive". Meaning baby is not progressing mentally or physically the way it should be.
This is disturbing as a parent. I am grateful and feel very blessed that I have been able to breastfeed both of my children and that my husband has had no qualms with cloth diapering. Yet, as a breastfeeding, cloth diapering mother, I wondered. How much is formula? How much are disposables? I see the prices listed on the shelves at the store, but that doesn't give me any idea of how much it would cost if that were my only option. So, I sat down with a calculator and a pencil and did some math.
This is just a calculator created scale. I am not part of the AAP nor do I know all of the recommendations for formula feeding. Having said that, here we go...
Prices for formula can run between $12.88 - $24.99 depending on the brand you buy. This is for 12.4oz containers that make 90oz of mixed formula. According to what I have read, a baby needs 2.5oz per pound of body weight, per day.
The following is a estimation of prices per MONTH using a baby that starts at 6lbs (newborn) and is 24lbs (1year).
6lbs - 15 oz per day : $64.40 - $124.95
12lbs - 30 oz per day : $128.80 - $249.90
18lbs - 45oz per day : $193.20 - $374.15
24lbs - 60oz per day : $257.60 - $499.10
Now say that baby is drinking those amounts for 3 months, that would make the cost of formula for this baby, for the YEAR : $1932. - $3743.6 .
Now lets add in the average amounts that parents spend on disposables, which we know to be between $1500. - $2000. (for two years).
That makes :$6864. - $11487. for disposable diapers and formula for 2 years.
It's so hard to look at those numbers when you know that you can feed your baby for free and spend as little as $86 to diaper your child from birth to potty training.
Green aside for a moment. Think of this economically. As in "What could you do with a few extra thousand in your wallet each year?" This clarifies why there are government aid programs, such as WIC and why some health insurance companies cover formula. Obviously it is essential when that is the babies only source of nourishment, as the parents have decided that formula feeding is easier.
But when you consider that even though there is government aid out there, parents are still torn between buying diapers and food, formula and utilities.
If every mother was given a breast pump after she had her baby, was taught by a good lactation consultant how to breastfeed and then taught how to pump and store milk. She may never have to buy a ounce of formula. If that same parent put aside the poop fear and used cloth diapers, she would never have to debate between a box of diapers and groceries, clothes for her children, gas for her car. These problems wouldn't be completely gone, but the burden would be lessened.
But....No One makes money off of Breastfeeding and Cloth Diapers the way they do Formula and Disposables.
There have been two studies that have recently come out reporting on what parents are doing and how it is affecting their children. The first to come out stated that 1 in 3 families were struggling to buy diapers and that parents were resorting to reusing diapers. They do this by putting just the wet diapers on a radiator or use a hair dryer, to dry up the gel again and then reuse it on their little one.
The second report just came out recently on how 1 in 8 families is watering down formula because they cannot afford to buy formula. This is resulting in the babies suffering from a disorder known as "Failure to Thrive". Meaning baby is not progressing mentally or physically the way it should be.
This is disturbing as a parent. I am grateful and feel very blessed that I have been able to breastfeed both of my children and that my husband has had no qualms with cloth diapering. Yet, as a breastfeeding, cloth diapering mother, I wondered. How much is formula? How much are disposables? I see the prices listed on the shelves at the store, but that doesn't give me any idea of how much it would cost if that were my only option. So, I sat down with a calculator and a pencil and did some math.
This is just a calculator created scale. I am not part of the AAP nor do I know all of the recommendations for formula feeding. Having said that, here we go...
Prices for formula can run between $12.88 - $24.99 depending on the brand you buy. This is for 12.4oz containers that make 90oz of mixed formula. According to what I have read, a baby needs 2.5oz per pound of body weight, per day.
The following is a estimation of prices per MONTH using a baby that starts at 6lbs (newborn) and is 24lbs (1year).
6lbs - 15 oz per day : $64.40 - $124.95
12lbs - 30 oz per day : $128.80 - $249.90
18lbs - 45oz per day : $193.20 - $374.15
24lbs - 60oz per day : $257.60 - $499.10
Now say that baby is drinking those amounts for 3 months, that would make the cost of formula for this baby, for the YEAR : $1932. - $3743.6 .
Now lets add in the average amounts that parents spend on disposables, which we know to be between $1500. - $2000. (for two years).
That makes :$6864. - $11487. for disposable diapers and formula for 2 years.
It's so hard to look at those numbers when you know that you can feed your baby for free and spend as little as $86 to diaper your child from birth to potty training.
Green aside for a moment. Think of this economically. As in "What could you do with a few extra thousand in your wallet each year?" This clarifies why there are government aid programs, such as WIC and why some health insurance companies cover formula. Obviously it is essential when that is the babies only source of nourishment, as the parents have decided that formula feeding is easier.
But when you consider that even though there is government aid out there, parents are still torn between buying diapers and food, formula and utilities.
If every mother was given a breast pump after she had her baby, was taught by a good lactation consultant how to breastfeed and then taught how to pump and store milk. She may never have to buy a ounce of formula. If that same parent put aside the poop fear and used cloth diapers, she would never have to debate between a box of diapers and groceries, clothes for her children, gas for her car. These problems wouldn't be completely gone, but the burden would be lessened.
But....No One makes money off of Breastfeeding and Cloth Diapers the way they do Formula and Disposables.
Thursday, January 19, 2012
The Twin Dilemma (edited)
Twins have been on my mind a lot lately. No, I'm not pregnant with twins. Though I would be up for the challenge. No, what I've been wondering though is why are so many twin births c-sections? Why are so many twins born so prematurely that they have to stay in the NICU for months? Are all twin pregnancies that cursed?
A study I read stated that 50% of all twins are born via section. According to an side bit I read in 'The Week', twins have been on the rise since 1982. Partly due to IVF and now 1 out of 30 births is a twin birth.
That is astounding.
I understand that there are risks with twins that are not there with a single birth. The mother is more prone to high blood pressure, if they share a placenta there is a risk of deterioration, the position of the twins, etc. But for most twins to be born before 37 weeks is jaw dropping. 37 weeks is usually the magical number that most OB/GYN's want you to wait until having your scheduled section or induction. That seems like a very high risk on the babies part to force them into a world they are not ready for. Do the risks of keeping them inside outweigh the risks of them being born and being in a NICU with oxygen tubes, feeding tubes, UV lamps, incubators, and heaven knows what else? Then there is the issue of the mother herself. If twins run in her family naturally, than she may already be physically capable of carrying twins to term without complications. Yet, if she is a mother who had an IVF done, then there could be a host of things that are now in that kettle along with the complications that occur naturally with twins. We are talking age and health mostly. I'm not saying she shouldn't be trying to have children. I stating that she may not of been physically capable to carry twins.
In a documentary on birth I was watching, there was a statement made that the older the medical book, the more informative it is on how births were attended and how mothers dealt with them. One Doctor wrote of an experience where he was called to help with a birth and when he arrived there were 2 sets of feet hanging out of the mother. He had to discern which ones went together, push one pair of feet back in and then birth them separately. Of course, being the time it was, sections were not common and not practiced. If birthing/carrying twins is that dangerous, did that many mothers/babies die that we didn't know about? What is the mortality rate today? Hopefully there isn't one, but that is almost like hoping the ocean isn't as salty as others have said it to be.
What baffles me greatly, is that I have seen and read natural birth stories of twins being born at home or in a hospital, so it does happen. But not often enough. Everyone is now used to hearing about twins being born and weighing less than 5lbs. That has become accepted as the norm with twins, because of how they are being brought into the world. Yet, when you hear the stories of twins who were allowed to wait until they were ready (due) they come into the world over 5lbs. One story I heard, they were both 8lbs. What a healthy baby should weigh. When a single baby comes into the world at 5lbs or less, everyone worries if the baby is sick, if the mother was ill, or if there were severe complications during the pregnancy. Once you mention they were twins, there is a sudden sigh of relief. "Oh, well that explains it."
How does that explain it? Why is that a relief? The babies still had to spend time in the NICU being treated the same way a single baby that weight would be treated. Why is it OKAY with us? Where did this mindset come from? Is it part of the "Heaven forbid she have to have them vaginally." syndrome that seems to overcome some of us?
I simply cannot understand how our twins must be treated this way and the blas'e mindset that comes with it.
Twins are always premature, they are always small and that is just how it is.
What a sad thing to think and believe.
A study I read stated that 50% of all twins are born via section. According to an side bit I read in 'The Week', twins have been on the rise since 1982. Partly due to IVF and now 1 out of 30 births is a twin birth.
That is astounding.
I understand that there are risks with twins that are not there with a single birth. The mother is more prone to high blood pressure, if they share a placenta there is a risk of deterioration, the position of the twins, etc. But for most twins to be born before 37 weeks is jaw dropping. 37 weeks is usually the magical number that most OB/GYN's want you to wait until having your scheduled section or induction. That seems like a very high risk on the babies part to force them into a world they are not ready for. Do the risks of keeping them inside outweigh the risks of them being born and being in a NICU with oxygen tubes, feeding tubes, UV lamps, incubators, and heaven knows what else? Then there is the issue of the mother herself. If twins run in her family naturally, than she may already be physically capable of carrying twins to term without complications. Yet, if she is a mother who had an IVF done, then there could be a host of things that are now in that kettle along with the complications that occur naturally with twins. We are talking age and health mostly. I'm not saying she shouldn't be trying to have children. I stating that she may not of been physically capable to carry twins.
In a documentary on birth I was watching, there was a statement made that the older the medical book, the more informative it is on how births were attended and how mothers dealt with them. One Doctor wrote of an experience where he was called to help with a birth and when he arrived there were 2 sets of feet hanging out of the mother. He had to discern which ones went together, push one pair of feet back in and then birth them separately. Of course, being the time it was, sections were not common and not practiced. If birthing/carrying twins is that dangerous, did that many mothers/babies die that we didn't know about? What is the mortality rate today? Hopefully there isn't one, but that is almost like hoping the ocean isn't as salty as others have said it to be.
What baffles me greatly, is that I have seen and read natural birth stories of twins being born at home or in a hospital, so it does happen. But not often enough. Everyone is now used to hearing about twins being born and weighing less than 5lbs. That has become accepted as the norm with twins, because of how they are being brought into the world. Yet, when you hear the stories of twins who were allowed to wait until they were ready (due) they come into the world over 5lbs. One story I heard, they were both 8lbs. What a healthy baby should weigh. When a single baby comes into the world at 5lbs or less, everyone worries if the baby is sick, if the mother was ill, or if there were severe complications during the pregnancy. Once you mention they were twins, there is a sudden sigh of relief. "Oh, well that explains it."
How does that explain it? Why is that a relief? The babies still had to spend time in the NICU being treated the same way a single baby that weight would be treated. Why is it OKAY with us? Where did this mindset come from? Is it part of the "Heaven forbid she have to have them vaginally." syndrome that seems to overcome some of us?
I simply cannot understand how our twins must be treated this way and the blas'e mindset that comes with it.
Twins are always premature, they are always small and that is just how it is.
What a sad thing to think and believe.
Monday, January 9, 2012
The Verdict
Well, it's been a week since my last post and I've been drinking the 1/2cup of beer every day. To start with I have to say, I can't believe this is something people look forward to at the end of their day. I can't believe what took me three days to finish, people down in 5 mins and then proceed to drink 10 more of. It makes me cringe and I have spent more time sitting and staring it down. Like a football player prepping for a game, I have to physc myself up to do it.
With that being said. It has helped. Immensely. I am now getting about 2oz a day, an oz a session. Which is FANTASTIC! Compared to it taking a week to get that. So, it does work as a medicine. But I would still rather drink Robitussin or some other medieval health beverage. I do not plan on keeping this up though. The thought of having to face a beer every evening until my daughter decides she doesn't want mama's milk from a bottle, is sickening. I have had horrible headaches this whole week, my ears are hurting as well. Though I'm not sure if that has to do with the beer or the fact that my children have been sick.
I am going to save this on my list of emergency things to do if my supply ever runs low again. I will drink a beer for my babies. (THAT SOUNDS SOOOO WRONG!!) I'm hoping I can keep my new found supply levels up without it. I'm not planning on buying anymore after what I have is gone. My stomach and head will thank me I'm sure.
You are probably wondering why I even tried this. Aren't there supplements out there that claim to do the same thing? Yes, there are. Yet they cost roughly $40 for a bottle and you have to take 3 tablets a day. Beer is just freakin cheaper. Healthier: no. I needed a quick solution and well, waiting 3-5 days just wasn't possible. There isn't a local store that carries these supplements, Fenugreek : yes, but I already take that. So, like everything else out there, what's bad for you is cheaper. I'm trying to think of the plus side to this. I have more milk in my freezer and that was my goal. It's probably loaded with extra calcium from all the antacids I've taken as well.
I know there are people reading this going "Why is she making such a big deal about a beer? I love beer/alcohol."
Intolerance runs in my family. It comes from my father's side of the family and yet as odd as it is, there are many alcoholics in his family. Yet, my father was a preemie so that might have something to do with it. We have a low medicine tolerance and alcohol tolerance. Half of the adult doses on some medicines work fine for us. I've taken the adult dose of some meds and gotten terribly ill from them. My dad accidentally drank mimosa (wine and orange juice) at a family gathering. He thought it was orange juice. Half an hour later he was in the bathroom sick. His siblings think he makes it up, but he becomes violently ill after a few sips. I don't become ill, but I can't say it gives me anything to enjoy or look forward too.
This is one chapter I'm glad I explored, but am even happier to close.
With that being said. It has helped. Immensely. I am now getting about 2oz a day, an oz a session. Which is FANTASTIC! Compared to it taking a week to get that. So, it does work as a medicine. But I would still rather drink Robitussin or some other medieval health beverage. I do not plan on keeping this up though. The thought of having to face a beer every evening until my daughter decides she doesn't want mama's milk from a bottle, is sickening. I have had horrible headaches this whole week, my ears are hurting as well. Though I'm not sure if that has to do with the beer or the fact that my children have been sick.
I am going to save this on my list of emergency things to do if my supply ever runs low again. I will drink a beer for my babies. (THAT SOUNDS SOOOO WRONG!!) I'm hoping I can keep my new found supply levels up without it. I'm not planning on buying anymore after what I have is gone. My stomach and head will thank me I'm sure.
You are probably wondering why I even tried this. Aren't there supplements out there that claim to do the same thing? Yes, there are. Yet they cost roughly $40 for a bottle and you have to take 3 tablets a day. Beer is just freakin cheaper. Healthier: no. I needed a quick solution and well, waiting 3-5 days just wasn't possible. There isn't a local store that carries these supplements, Fenugreek : yes, but I already take that. So, like everything else out there, what's bad for you is cheaper. I'm trying to think of the plus side to this. I have more milk in my freezer and that was my goal. It's probably loaded with extra calcium from all the antacids I've taken as well.
I know there are people reading this going "Why is she making such a big deal about a beer? I love beer/alcohol."
Intolerance runs in my family. It comes from my father's side of the family and yet as odd as it is, there are many alcoholics in his family. Yet, my father was a preemie so that might have something to do with it. We have a low medicine tolerance and alcohol tolerance. Half of the adult doses on some medicines work fine for us. I've taken the adult dose of some meds and gotten terribly ill from them. My dad accidentally drank mimosa (wine and orange juice) at a family gathering. He thought it was orange juice. Half an hour later he was in the bathroom sick. His siblings think he makes it up, but he becomes violently ill after a few sips. I don't become ill, but I can't say it gives me anything to enjoy or look forward too.
This is one chapter I'm glad I explored, but am even happier to close.
Wednesday, January 4, 2012
The Drunken Nursemaid
I've heard though movies, books and even sporatically online about back in the day, when wealthy women hired nursemaids, about drunk nursemaids. I used to think that it was a horrible thing to entrust your children to someone who got drunk. Now with a nursing view, I've wondered. Why was the nursemaid drinking to begin with? Who would hire someone who get soused on a daily basis?
Come to find out a little bit of beer is beneficial to production. A little bit, as in under 8oz, taken like a medicine. It has to do with the barely, hops and yeast that is used to make the beer. Not sure how it works, but it is effective enough that midwives used to recommend nursing mothers drink a beer if they were having production issues.
Now a days we are warned not to drink while pregnant and studies have shown that excessive amounts of alcohol can get into your milk, like almost anything, and have an effect on your baby.
So, it makes sense that the nursemaid was having a few, especially in a time when water wasn't pure or filtered like it is today. Depending on how drunk she was though, the parents who were paying for her room and board, were also paying to have their child slowly poisoned by the high doses that were also being secreted.
With that said, my recent issues of pumping has led me to hearing the answer "Have a beer" or "try brewers yeast", as an answer. With my milk supply diminishing and the thought of buying formula as depressing as finding out your pet was run over, I'm ready to try anything. I've had my rounds with brewers yeast tablets and have had in return, rounds of stomach pains. So, this has lead me to the option of buying formula or buying beer.
The trouble with buying beer is my experience with it in the past. I have a reputation with some friends of the ultra light weight, 2 beer queer, etc. I have gotten sick at past parties, more times than I care to admit. So, this is not something that I am doing to try and relive those good ole days. Cause those good ole days, weren't so good to me.
My trouble with buying formula, is that my daughter has already shown a lactose intolerance. The soy formula, is said to contain high levels of a metal that can become toxic. That and formula is expensive as heck.
So, I guess taking beer like taking Robitussin is my answer. Plug your nose and down it quick. It's got to be safer than a lot of OTC medicines and prescribed meds that are said to be safe. Right?
I guess I will find out if it's worth the shot.
LLL alcohol FAQ
Come to find out a little bit of beer is beneficial to production. A little bit, as in under 8oz, taken like a medicine. It has to do with the barely, hops and yeast that is used to make the beer. Not sure how it works, but it is effective enough that midwives used to recommend nursing mothers drink a beer if they were having production issues.
Now a days we are warned not to drink while pregnant and studies have shown that excessive amounts of alcohol can get into your milk, like almost anything, and have an effect on your baby.
So, it makes sense that the nursemaid was having a few, especially in a time when water wasn't pure or filtered like it is today. Depending on how drunk she was though, the parents who were paying for her room and board, were also paying to have their child slowly poisoned by the high doses that were also being secreted.
With that said, my recent issues of pumping has led me to hearing the answer "Have a beer" or "try brewers yeast", as an answer. With my milk supply diminishing and the thought of buying formula as depressing as finding out your pet was run over, I'm ready to try anything. I've had my rounds with brewers yeast tablets and have had in return, rounds of stomach pains. So, this has lead me to the option of buying formula or buying beer.
The trouble with buying beer is my experience with it in the past. I have a reputation with some friends of the ultra light weight, 2 beer queer, etc. I have gotten sick at past parties, more times than I care to admit. So, this is not something that I am doing to try and relive those good ole days. Cause those good ole days, weren't so good to me.
My trouble with buying formula, is that my daughter has already shown a lactose intolerance. The soy formula, is said to contain high levels of a metal that can become toxic. That and formula is expensive as heck.
So, I guess taking beer like taking Robitussin is my answer. Plug your nose and down it quick. It's got to be safer than a lot of OTC medicines and prescribed meds that are said to be safe. Right?
I guess I will find out if it's worth the shot.
LLL alcohol FAQ
Tuesday, January 3, 2012
Breastfeeding and Men
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| I do not own rights to this cartoon. |
Something that has been grabbing my attention as of late has been that there a lot of men who are for breastfeeding. I mean A LOT! This is fantastic and beyond fabulous. There are still a lot comparatively who are still mixed about it and a degree are still against it. I'm just going to ignore those confused lot for a moment, because the point I'm going for doesn't have to do with the mixed up men.
Quoting the most important man in my life growing up (my father) he simply stated that "It's natural, it's what they are designed for. There is nothing sexual about it."
I grew up in a very forward thinking group as a child. All of the friends I had as a little girl had been breastfed, their siblings were breastfeed and I often saw breastfeeding happening. It was natural. I was shocked when I got into school and social media, to find that not every woman nursed her baby.
Then, as I grew through the school system, and through my open minded opinions (my big mouth) I found out that the majority of my classmates who were for breastfeeding, were the boys. This opinion continued into college, in my places of work, etc.
Recently, on Facebook, my mother had posted a link about how people were talking about breastfeeding so much as of late. In response to this link, was a very intelligent response from a young man who is recently married. He is the son of one of my mom's friends, who when I saw him last, was still a nursling.
What struck me most suddenly is this thought. "If men aren't the problem here, who is?"
Then the depressing part struck me. We are. The women. We are the very reason we don't breastfeed. We are the ones who have bought into the crap of being sexualized. We are the ones who think of our cycles as nothing else other than something we just have to deal with. We are the ones who have bought the bull and we are the ones who are depriving and denying our children. We believe that all men want is sex, because that is what is broadcast to us. We buy the bras that say 'Sexy'. We buy the thongs and skimpy bikinis because they produce the image of sexy. We starve ourselves, cut ourselves(surgery), dye our hair and shave/wax places that don't see the sun, because we are sexy that way. Yet who are we really pleasing? Do men really care about all that? Do our husbands?
I have ceased to be amazed at the number of woman I have come across that are literally either repulshed by the idea of something/someone sucking on their nipples. That despite knowing how beneficial it is for the baby and themselves, they won't do it because it's just gross. When did breastfeeding become more taboo than sex? Why is breastfeeding and our periods suddenly on the same level of disgust and repulsive? The things we don't talk about are the things we NEED to talk about the most. With Sex still being thrown at us from every angle, we need to talk about breastfeeding. DESPERATELY SO! It needs to be talked about without rolled eyes, slights of hand, detratmental comments, and anything that involves sex.
At the nurse-in I attended, I was very surprised when I talked to other moms, who also had friends who felt that nursing was an intimate act that should be done in a private place. Granted I don't think it's ok for moms to have their shirts up around their necks to nurse, but I don't think a mother should feel she has to hide in order to give her baby a drink.
When did something that is innocent turn into something intimate? Breastfeeding is NOT a Sexual act. It does not need to be hidden away and we as woman need to stop feeling embarressed about people seeing our breasts doing what they are designed to do.
To quote from the bible "...let her breasts always satisfy you.." Some may look at this and say that it is all about sex. But lets look at it again. If that man has been breastfeed, then they nourished and satisfied his basic needs as a baby, as a man he covets after what he knows will bring nourishment and saite his children. This is what is sexy about breasts. Their basic function makes them sexy.
Think of breastmilk as chocolate, it soothes and comforts as well as sates and satisfies, yet chocolate is very sexy.
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