6 Breastfeeding Myths Busted - Report from The Journal of Pediatrics

Go boobies!  I've said it before and I'll say it again - Breast is Best!  I was not surprised by Monday's report from The Journal of Pediatrics.  It stated that if mothers exclusively breastfed for the first 6 months of a baby's life, the lives of over 900 babies per year would be saved, and $13 billion dollars in health care costs would be eliminated.  Seriously!?!  Those are some HUGE numbers!  

Breastfeeding as a necessity took a plunge in the late 60's during the feminist revolution, and became widely viewed as an act that "tied women down".  By 1975, over 75% of American babies were formula-fed.  World Health Organization, American Academy of Pediatrics, and all other medical establishments have straight up said that formula is inferior to breastmilk.  Yet, only 12% of women still breastfeed when their babies are 6 months old.  Why? 

I'm going right into my personal opinion here, and addressing some of the reasons I've personally heard for not breastfeeding:

It hurts!

This one I agree with.  It hurst like crazy!  You'll read books and have consultants say that if you're doing it right, it won't hurt.  But when you're going from zero nipple contact to something sucking on them really hard for 8 hours or more a day, it hurts.  The good news is, it goes away.  I've met very few women who have had pain past 1-2 weeks of nursing.  And a week or two of pain is way better than death and hospital bills, in my opinion.

I just want my body to be mine.

I've heard this from a handful of women, who felt their personal space was being violated and had that "tied down" feeling while breastfeeding.  Babies take an enormous amount of time, energy, and focus, and it can easily seem like your entire life is being consumed.  The simple explanation is that it IS being entirely consumed!  There are a lot of support groups that you can find online to express your fears and challenges.  Some women have sought counseling.  Realize that for a time, there is nothing more important than your baby, and the sacrifice of your time and space will last only a short while and have enormous benefits.

It's inconvenient.

This one is hard for me to understand.  I've had a lot of experience with babies and bottles vs. babies and breastfeeding, and my opinion is that the breastfeeding is far more convenient.  There is no extra equipment required, it's cheaper, it's always ready, it's always the perfect temperature, and you don't have to worry about it spilling in the bottom of the diaper bag.  Tip: it's made even easier if you have a HugaMonkey sling so you can do it hands free!

My husband/boyfriend doesn't like it.

I've never actually encountered anyone who has said this, but I remember reading an article in a parenting magazine several years ago where women expressed feelings of guilt or pressure from their significant other because they didn't like the baby playing with their toys, essentially.  I was taken aback!  The men in the article said they felt jealous or angry at the baby for having so much booby time.  While I fully understand the powerful nature of breasts in their sexual field, I also know that the reason we have breasts is to feed babies.  That's what they're there for!  

Outside Pressures

I've met women whose mothers-in-law think they shouldn't breastfeed, or whose friends tell them it's embarrassing to do it in public, or who have heard horror stories about how hard it is.  Ugh!  I wish I had a magic wand and could wave it over people to erase fears and doubts.   Our society has sadly been conditioned to see breastfeeding as embarrassing, shameful, or even gross.  How can doing something completely natural and fully intended be gross?  Again, that's what breasts are for!  The old adage "Mother knows best" applies fully to nursing.  When you know breastfeeding is exponentially beneficial, and are committed to giving your baby the very best, any outside pressures and opinions will dwindle.  Have faith in yourself and your decisions!

My work doesn't allow time for pumping.

Ahem.  Most employers have accommodated everything from regulated time for restroom breaks to smoke breaks.  Why, especially in light of this recent report, would an employer forbid or constrain pumping?   Word on the street is the new health care bill makes it law to have a time and clean place to pump.  

Make breastfeeding a priority!  

You have only a short window of opportunity to make a lifelong impact on your little one.  Such a small and simple step will have years and years of positive affects for you and your child.