I just read the article in Salon. I do agree with several points the
author brought up. Governments and society in general, SHOULD be making it
easier for women to breastfeed by providing family-friendly workplace
leaves and breastfeeding/pumping workplace policies.
But, women CHOOSE to become mothers (in most instances) and with that
choice comes certain responsiblities and committments: that she commits to
nurturing and raising her child in the best way she can, which will include
feeding her baby in the healthiest manner possible.
One of the hardest things I have ever done was to return to work full-time
after the births of my babies due to financial necessity AND exclusively
breastfeed them for the 6 months that is now recommended as well as up to 2
years. It CAN be done, if a mother puts aside her "It's all about me"
mentality, and puts her baby before herself. In a book on the Catholic
Eucharist, the author states that every time a mother nurses her baby she
is giving of herself to her baby as totally and unselfishly as Jesus gave
of Himself to mankind thru His death on the Cross. I felt really humbled
and awed after reading this, that my breastfeeding my babies is being
compared to Jesus' ultimate act of sacrifice for all of mankind! For those
of you who do not know, Catholics believe that the communion wafer and the
wine they receive at Mass is actually the Body and Blood of Christ, not a
representation. Jesus actually shares His Body and His Blood with us lowly
humans each time we receive communion, just as a mother actually shares her
body (her milk) with her baby each time she nurses. OK, I knew 17 years of
Catholic education would come in handy one day!
The Salon article challenges the government and breastfeeding advocates (at
least it didn't refer to us as "N" word!)to do something. One of the
things that could be done is to provide safe, affordable donor milk that is
available to all who need it, so that ALL babies have the benefits of human
milk. This is done in other countries, why not the USA? Other countries
provide paid maternity/paternity leaves to their workers. Why not the
USA? The answer is money - a multi-billion dollar/year corporation is not
going down without a fight.
If mothers don't speak up for their babies, who will? Remember, babies
will choose to breastfeed.
Pam Hirsch, BSN,RN,IBCLC
Clinical Lead, Lactation Services
Advocate Good Shepherd Hospital
Barrington, IL USA
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