Some views on breastfeeding from an expectant first-time mom - posted with
permission

"You mentioned breast feeding. I plan to breastfeed for the reasons you
mentioned and selfish ones besides. With gestational diabetes, risk of
developing diabetes at some point in the future is 15% - 65% depending on
family history (I have none) weight, exercise, and whether you breast feed.
Frankly that is huge incentive to return to a more normal weight and to
breastfeed. In addition breast fed babies have a lower risk of developing
diabetes themselves. Additionally the thought of juggling with double the
number of bottles seems like much more work than simply breastfeeding. I am
not at all worried about Bill not bonding with the babies because he can't
feed them with a bottle. While I know some people use that as an excuse to
formula feed, I think it's pretty lame. Obviously it's going to be a bit
more complicated with two. I welcome any suggestions or ideas."


"From what I can see formula folks have done a good job of making formula be
the norm and making breastfeeding seem to be "special". Even the lines
"breastfeeding is best" is part of that scam. Lots of things are "best" but
we don't actually do them. Sort of like making a Martha Stewart style dinner
(special) vs what you whip up when you're running late. Most people agree
that "special" is best but sort of unreasonable and not worth the effort.
Most breast feeding informations seems to be phrased that way as well.
Instead  making breastfeeding the norm, you'd see statements like "formula
fed babies have lower IQs and more infections".  People know they probably
won't have the best, but I think are more motivated by what they don't
want."


Gail S. Hertz MD, IBCLC
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