As I sat down to work on a syllabus for a new breastfeeding class for
expectant couples, I started to wonder about the hyphenation question
that has come up so often in the past.  If there is a subtle (or not so
subtle) difference between breastfeeding and breast-feeding, is there an
equivalent difference between bottlefeeding and bottle-feeding?  I think
there is, and I think it's important enough to point out to couples who
are still deciding how to feed their soon-to-be-born baby.

I decided to start by telling them that the choice they are making is
not between breast and bottle (breast-feeding and bottle-feeding), but
rather between breastmilk and formula (breastfeeding and
bottlefeeding).  Although this would seem so obvious as to be
ridiculous, it's really not, because when we emphasize the breast versus
bottle choice we give the impression that we are simply debating the
container and the process rather than the substance.  Then I tell them
that once they have decided on the substance, if their decision is
breastmilk, as I hope it will be when they hear all of its advantages,
they have the option of providing that breastmilk in a bottle once in a
while if that turns out to be more convenient for those times when it is
necessary for mom and baby to be separated.  In other words, once they
have decided to feed breastmilk (breastfeed), they have the option of
bottle-feeding it rather than breast-feeding it.)

Maybe it's all just semantics, but it seems important to make the
distinction.  Anyway, the new class starts in April, so I'll see if it
seems to be useful then.

Lori Lerman, R.N.
Winchester, MA