Quantcast
Channel: Tiaras & Prozac
Viewing all articles
Browse latest Browse all 182

Those smug breastfeeders

$
0
0
The problem with breastfeeding is, you're damned if you do and you're damned if you don't.  Formula feeders are forever lamenting that they're judged negatively and unfairly, yet I've been a formula feeder and other than online, I never once felt judged in real life, rather I was conforming to what was for all intent purposes the societal 'norm'.  I never felt victimised or scrutinized whilst formula feeding.  I never had to justify my reasoning for formula feeding be it for how long or where.

If you're a breastfeeder people either disagree with it (how can you 'disagree' with feeding your baby the most biologically appropriate food?) or else feel fit to regale you with tales of how and why they don't breastfeed.

Breastfeeding is hard.  It's hard physically at first as well as emotionally and mentally.  It's a work in progress.  A learning curve.  It may be natural and instinctive, yet that doesn't mean it doesn't take an incredible amount of effort, perseverance and dedication  with many practical, societal and cultural obstacles along the way.

If a woman breastfeeds in public, she isn't making a political statement.  She isn't attention seeking.  She isn't trying to make those who don't breastfeed feel bad or guilty.  She is merely feeding her hungry child.  Yes, it's that simple.   It genuinely isn't about you.  It's about her baby.

You've just given birth, you've been asked throughout your pregnancy if you'll breastfeed.  You're coerced into doing it in hospital.  Yet, if you do, do it, if you keep doing it it's then a completely different ball game.  No longer are people obsessed with if you will breastfeed, they're now obsessed with when you'll stop.  you really can't win.

If a breastfeeder is proud of breastfeeding, this doesn't make her smug.  Why shouldn't she be proud?  it's an achievement.

So next time you think of a breastfeeder as being 'one of those smug breastfeeding types' remember, that statement says far more about you than it ever will about her.

Viewing all articles
Browse latest Browse all 182

Trending Articles