Is Breast Best for You?
01 Jun 2011 3 Comments
in Healthcare for New Mums, Uncategorized
“Women should not feel guilty if they are unable to breastfeed, but they should feel guilty if they are unwilling to do so, and they should be intellectually honest enough to know the difference.” -Elizabeth Gene
If I had a pound for every time I’ve met a mother who told me that she had chosen bottle over breast, becauses she was unable to produce enough milk to feed her baby, I’d have a whole new wardrobe by now!
I have been told by many mothers that they have suffered from a low milk supply. Should we be very worried by this? I think if this is the case then it’s a really serious and worrying matter. Why is the issue of low milk production not treated as a serious medical issue if there are seemingly so many women who suffer nowadays? Surely for the human race this is catastrophic – in evolutionary terms it’s fundamental and essential for mothers to be able to feed their babies.
Mixed with the worry over this matter, is also a twinge of disbelief: I get the feeling that “low milk supply” is used often used to help assuage the guilt felt for giving up the breast in favour of the bottle as it is a “real” and “ genuine” reason.
During the course of writing this article I have undertaken some research, on the history of breastfeeding and attitudes towards the practice. I found that only 4% of women are unable to truly feed due to a low milk supply – why then do I hear so often this used as the reason for giving up breastfeeding?
It was interesting that historically not much was written about the subject of breastfeeding. This maybe because it was a natural and unremarkable function – as with walking, breathing and other necessaries in life. It also appears that for millennia we have supplemented breastfeeding with other foodstuffs and have also used other implements to assist with feeding. So why feel guilty about doing this now? If your baby and you are thriving surely this is the best that you can do?
I have also found information on the various causes of low milk supply:
1.hormonal conditions such as PCOS and untreated hypothyroidism
2.breast hypoplasia or a history of breast reduction surgery
3.cleft lip, cleft palate, or other issues that affect baby’s ability to suck properly
4.supplementing, nipple confusion, scheduled feedings, sore nipples, and other correctable breastfeeding problems
The majority of women with breastfeeding problems fall into the fourth cause listed for low milk supply. With the help of a breastfeeding consultant and good support these can be worked through and corrected to allow for a successful breastfeeding relationship.
Have I stirred a hornets’ nest with my comments and chosen quote above? Are there ladies out there who bristle at my suggestion that it may not be so simple (or actually complex) as a low milk supply, thinking that I am a breastfeeding zealot? Please let me reassure you though that I am not a zealot or a judge.
I firmly believe that a happy relaxed and calm, formula-feeding mother, is so much more beneficial to her baby than a neurotic, uptight breastfeeding one. I believe that mothers – and their supportive partners – are entitled to make choices that make life easier for them and suit their family circumstances.
Women often assume guilt if they do not want to breastfeed – either because of a perceived external pressure to do so, or from being unable to live up to their own expectations of motherhood.
There are many reasons why breastfeeding doesn’t work for everyone: at a basic level, some women will not feel comfortable with the act, unable to separate the sexuality of their breasts with the functionality required to feed, others have unsupportive family or partners who don’t want them to feed or allow them space or time to feed – depression, lack of confidence, painful feeding and work requirements are all other reasons.
I also believe that many mothers feel so guilty about making the choice not to breastfeed their child that some become physically unable to do so – a sort of psychosomatic condition bought on by not being allowed to say: Actually it’s just not for me.
As with most new Mums, I initially found feeding my first baby quite difficult: my son found it hard to latch on due to heavy congestion and I was still reeling from a hard labour and birth. After the shock and discomfort of engorgement, things settled down and feeding became easier after the first week and easier still after the weeks went by. The biggest reward came when I saw the fruits of my labour paying off before my eyes. As my weight decreased, my son’s increased. Within three months he was a beautiful bonny and cuddly baby growing well – all through the goodness of “Mother’s Milk”. Second and third babies have been easier to feed again and as successful.
The short story is that for me and my family breastfeeding works. It’s not always been easy, at times my nipples have bled, my back has been agony and I’ve had mastitis. But anyone who thinks that whole or any part of the process of having a baby is easy, obviously hasn’t read the manual!
What works for me may not however, work for you. To be weighed down with guilt about the choices that you’ve made, if they are for the best, is not healthy and can have lasting consequences.
Good luck and please don’t feel guilty for making a choice and saying for whatever reason:”it’s just not for me”.
