I've been reading you forever, I think even before Alex was born (I'm pretty sure I found you while I was pregnant, and CD is 15 months old now). I really just had to leap into this conversation. Like you I just assumed I'd breastfeed, and was all set to enjoy the bonding etc.
I had a really hard time breastfeeding, and was in the hospital when my son was 2 weeks old for a day and a half, and therefore my boob was not where my son was, so I was a dual boob milk/ formula girl from the very beginning. It got easier by month 3, but was a disaster before that (to the point that I would cry every time it came time to latch on, I'd like to see the lactivists tell me how that encouraged me to "bond").
I am a research scientist, and did quite a bit of reading and research into the formula vs boob milk thing, as I was "attacked" by the lactivists early on. Like you I felt trapped by the judgement of "all" or "none" that seems to prevail. I also work in a lab with bloodborne pathogens and other nasties, and pumping was difficult (but doable).
I think that in the end we did approx 7 months of combined boob milk/ formula, and I am comfortable with that. I really hate that people are made to feel ashamed (and god knows we're all so insecure about being a new mom that we take every little comment to heart) when in fact science (real controlled scientific experiments, published in reputable journals, not word of mouth crap) shows that while formula is fine, the antibodies that breastmilk provides really only provide significant help in the first 3 months (and then any little bit helps).
I would think, especially with the fact that a large percentage of US women do not breastfeed that there would be a postive attitude toward whatever breastfeeding one can do and not this "do or die" type attitude which polarizes people towards the issue.
sorry to have droned on, but it really is a hot button issue for me. I really enjoy your blog.
Dr. Mommy (employee of the megaglomorate evil pharmaceutical company)
boob nazi's beware
I've been reading you forever, I think even before Alex was born (I'm pretty sure I found you while I was pregnant, and CD is 15 months old now). I really just had to leap into this conversation. Like you I just assumed I'd breastfeed, and was all set to enjoy the bonding etc.
I had a really hard time breastfeeding, and was in the hospital when my son was 2 weeks old for a day and a half, and therefore my boob was not where my son was, so I was a dual boob milk/ formula girl from the very beginning. It got easier by month 3, but was a disaster before that (to the point that I would cry every time it came time to latch on, I'd like to see the lactivists tell me how that encouraged me to "bond").
I am a research scientist, and did quite a bit of reading and research into the formula vs boob milk thing, as I was "attacked" by the lactivists early on. Like you I felt trapped by the judgement of "all" or "none" that seems to prevail. I also work in a lab with bloodborne pathogens and other nasties, and pumping was difficult (but doable).
I think that in the end we did approx 7 months of combined boob milk/ formula, and I am comfortable with that. I really hate that people are made to feel ashamed (and god knows we're all so insecure about being a new mom that we take every little comment to heart) when in fact science (real controlled scientific experiments, published in reputable journals, not word of mouth crap) shows that while formula is fine, the antibodies that breastmilk provides really only provide significant help in the first 3 months (and then any little bit helps).
I would think, especially with the fact that a large percentage of US women do not breastfeed that there would be a postive attitude toward whatever breastfeeding one can do and not this "do or die" type attitude which polarizes people towards the issue.
sorry to have droned on, but it really is a hot button issue for me.
I really enjoy your blog.
Dr. Mommy (employee of the megaglomorate evil pharmaceutical company)