My girlfriend just stopped nursing, at 3 weeks, because it was making her crazy, because the baby was doing only okay, because she hated and feared feeding times. I think that's an okay reason to quit.
I am feeling guilty because I wasn't there. I wasn't local to talk her through the first couple weeks, which totally suck even if you have no problems. I wasn't around to just be another woman who nursed. Because it feels lonely, sometimes, and she didn't have a nursing peer group.
Now I'm happy for that, because I know she'll catch less grief. I don't think her baby's health will suffer, and I think it's probably better for her, mentally, not to have that chain. I know how liberated I feel when I wean.
I'd like it if lactivists talked more about the social and economic costs of what they are demanding, how literally crazy nursing can make anyone. Like childbirth classes that discuss both vaginal and c-section births, as things with plusses and minuses.
I wonder how much of pre-formula infant mortality was due to inability to nurse/failure to thrive.
You're a good mommy, Rivka, and I hope you have always known I think so.
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Date: 2006-04-12 06:13 pm (UTC)I am feeling guilty because I wasn't there. I wasn't local to talk her through the first couple weeks, which totally suck even if you have no problems. I wasn't around to just be another woman who nursed. Because it feels lonely, sometimes, and she didn't have a nursing peer group.
Now I'm happy for that, because I know she'll catch less grief. I don't think her baby's health will suffer, and I think it's probably better for her, mentally, not to have that chain. I know how liberated I feel when I wean.
I'd like it if lactivists talked more about the social and economic costs of what they are demanding, how literally crazy nursing can make anyone. Like childbirth classes that discuss both vaginal and c-section births, as things with plusses and minuses.
I wonder how much of pre-formula infant mortality was due to inability to nurse/failure to thrive.
You're a good mommy, Rivka, and I hope you have always known I think so.