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What does Breastfeeding mean to you? Are you a mother that chooses this way of feeding her child? Well I am, I am a mother that knew that breastfeeding was just what I wanted to do. With my daughter, who is 3 now, I could not breastfeed her long due to her allergy to milk protein. With my son I wanted nothing more to breastfeed long term. Now that I am a full time breastfeeding mom. I get asked all the time "Are you breastfeeding your child", when I answer yes, I get the same answer almost all the time. "You look like the type, the type to breastfeed". Now tell me what is the breastfeeding type? What does one have to look like?
Do I have a look about me the screams breastfeed-er? I don't feel that there is a look about moms that choose to breastfeed. I never thought that breastfeeding was going to be such a defining moment in my life, were my "look" is what they expect.
Do I have a look about me the screams breastfeed-er? I don't feel that there is a look about moms that choose to breastfeed. I never thought that breastfeeding was going to be such a defining moment in my life, were my "look" is what they expect.
This just makes me know that breastfeeding is not "The Norm" yet. I wish that we would all stop separating mothers that BF and mothers that formula feed, we are all mothers that are doing what we individually feel is right for our children.
When my son came around I didn't expect to be the mother that becomes all natural and cloth diapers and such, but it did happen. For that I am considered a hippy like tree hugger... why?
I breastfeed as a personal choice and yes I love my relationship with my choice to do so. Do I enjoy it 100% of the time, ABSOLUTELY NOT. There are struggles in everything that a mother does from balancing the laundry, dishes, playtime and baths to breastfeeding. Its selfless and time consuming and takes most my days by hostage, but its what I choose. Does this mean that I feel formula moms are selfish, NO. Moms that choose not to BF are not my issue, they choose that for there babies just like I choose to BF. Here is another question? Do mothers that formula feed have a "look" to them too?
I feel that there are to many labels and assumptions made on mothers just from the way that they choose to feed there children, why is the way you feed your child even a question that people ask, is it not personal any more? I just feel that there should not be labels made on mothers, we deal with enough in our days. I am a cloth diapering, breastfeeding, baby wearing mother! Call it what you may but there is just nothing wrong with my way I do things, its my children that matter. I come second to these amazing little ones that I brought into this world and doing right by them is my life goal.
I just needed to vent a small bit about this subject. There is nothing more to a breastfeeding mom, but that she is a breastfeeding mom. Same goes for formula moms, what else you choose to be on top of your feeding method is your business too! What are your thoughts? Do you feel the same about this?
5 comments:
I'm totally with you. To each their own. I've been a breast-feeder, but don't care what other moms do.
I've never even considered that a bf mom would look different.
I'm thinking it might be a compliment that people say you look like the type. You're adorable.
You must not shave ;) I always hear the terms hippie or crunchy in reference to nursing.
I just posted a vent of my own regarding public nursing and judgments from other women. I'd love some more input over at my blog!
P.S. I just updated a feedburner widget. :)
my husband calls me "nature" woman. haha it's probably because i will typically just walk around the house with a bra on and no shirt... makes it easier to breastfeed and i don't get quite as hot!
he also tells me he is jealous that he doesn't have boobs to feed our daughter... because although she will smile and laugh more with him, she won't ever settle down and cuddle with him. it's hard for him to rock her or get her to go to sleep. when she's fussy and needs to relax, she only wants her momma. when she wants to play, she wants her daddy.
i don't think that just because i choose to breastfeed that i am better or more of a "nature" woman than women who choose to formula feed. breastfeeding is hard and there are definitely times that i wish i could stay out longer than 4 hours without having to worry about pumping or feeding a baby! i do enjoy it for the most part though :) it definitely has its rewards.
haha sorry this is so long.
When it comes to breastfeeding, I think it's one of those "labels" that we get dealt as soon as that sweet babe latches on. It often makes me wonder if some people are just trying to deflect their own feelings of inadequecy, not that not breastfeeding is an inadequecy by any means. But why the stereotype, breastfeeding or formula; or SAHM or Working mom...we're all just doing the best we can, and I think the bottom line is we should support each other no matter our choices.
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