The distinction between breastmilk feeding and breastfeeding is one I have
been struggling with for years now. I've actually been working on a single
sheet flyer or poster about this. I see so many mothers now choosing
exclusive pumping before they even give birth - thinking this gives them
the best of both worlds. And that breastmilk feeding is equivalent. I do
think it's important to acknowledge the difference and talk about what we
mean accurately. I understand the desire to create an easily-understood and
marketable title for the Combat Boots book (and I love it, by the way!).
And it's pretty clear that mothers working in the military often do both,
as do the majority of US mothers who return to work while our little ones
are not ready to wean. I think it's inappropriate to highlight breastmilk
feeding for these mothers when they very likely mostly breastfeed their
little ones and fall back on bottles as little as possible.

That said, we do need to think and communicate that there are differences.
Just like we don't lump formula feeding with breastfeeding all as "infant
feeding". They are not equivalent - and I say that as a mother who has
juggled working, pumping, cosleeping, reverse cycling, and breastfeeding
for four children over the last 8 years (and continues to do so). It IS
less to give a child pumped milk than to directly breastfeed. That's not
being mean or insulting, it is reality. There's less physical contact, less
emotional connection, reduced health (from cooling and heating), more
supply issues, more sucking confusion, more facial deformities
(teeth/palate alignment), and more risk of overfeeding. If I feel badly
about being told I have been a breastmilk bottle feeder as well as a
breastfeeder that is my own issue to work through, not the person naming
it. We all do the best we can as mothers and make hard choices.

My 2 cents,

Keleigh Lee, IBCLC, LLL, WIC volunteer, future PhD in health psychology,
busy mother of 4 in Michigan

             ***********************************************

Archives: http://community.lsoft.com/archives/LACTNET.html
To reach list owners: [log in to unmask]
Mail all list management commands to: [log in to unmask]
COMMANDS:
1. To temporarily stop your subscription write in the body of an email: set lactnet nomail
2. To start it again: set lactnet mail
3. To unsubscribe: unsubscribe lactnet
4. To get a comprehensive list of rules and directions: get lactnet welcome