Hi all

Happy World Breastfeeding Week!

From Janice's post of the breastfeeding article:

> "I loved the experience with my son, however, it was much easier to get
assistance from family members and to put my daughter on a feeding schedule
by using the bottle," Narmore said. "It also gave me more flexibility and
freedom."
<snip>
> The difference between the two experiences?
>
> "I bonded with both of my children, but there was a little bit of a
closeness issue that I kind of missed with Catrina," Narmore said. "But on
the other hand, to bottle feed was much more convenient and whether one
outweighs the other, I don't know."

I think these statements by this mom pretty well sum up some of the biggest
obstacles/misconceptions (no pun intended)/philosophies that we as a society
need to overcome if breastfeeding is to ever "catch on" (latch on??):

1. Help for new baby from family members must be help with feeding.
2. Baby must eat according to a rigid feeding schedule that combines some
warped sense of arbitrary timing with convenience for mom.
3. "Freedom" as a new mom means freedom *from* baby rather than freedom
*with* baby.
4. Bonding is ever so nice, but not nearly as important as "flexibility and
freedom." [Mom's needs outweigh baby's needs.]
5. Bottle feeding is convenient.
6. "...I don't know." If the only thing this mom has to compare
breastfeeding with bottle feeding is bonding vs the "convenience" of bottle
feeding, then there's no wonder that she figured she was better off.

Ironically, one of the main reasons I chose to breastfeed my son over 22
years ago (long before I discovered LLL) was the INCONVENIENCE of bottle
feeding, coupled with some vague notion that breastfeeding was best. I did
NOT want to deal with washing all those bottles!!

We have our work cut out for us, eh?

Have a great week!

Melissa Vickers, IBCLC
Huntingdon TN

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