If I hear one more mom bash another mom about her choice to breast or bottle feed, I am 
going to declare war. Actually, they’re already at war so maybe I should declare a peace. I just read, yet another article, professing that the best moms breast feed. What kind of propaganda crap is that? I have fed babies both ways. I consider myself like Switzerland, neutral, on this issue. The problem I have is with the fierce, fang-showing attitude of some of these “best mom” critics.
We all know colostrum is good for babies. What is also good for babies is a less stressed, happy mom. If a mom can’t or chooses not to nurse, it’s her decision. Please stop pushing her and insinuating that she’d be a better mom if nursed. For some moms nursing isn’t an option for various reasons. Maybe she’s taking a medication that passes to the breast milk. Maybe she’s had a mastectomy. Maybe she has inverted nipples. Maybe she just prefers to bottle feed. It’s not your business.
With post –partum depression knocking on her door, the last thing she needs is to feel like an inferior mom. What ever happened to Circle of Motherhood? I can’t figure out why women feel the need to treat other moms this way. For the love! She just birthed a baby. She’s exhausted and her hormones are of tidal wave proportion. You, of all people, know this feeling!
I remember bringing a baby home from the hospital and asking my husband, “What are we supposed to do now?” as we stared at her in the basinette. Come on, be honest. Every parent has that moment when we take the newborn home and reality strikes. “There’s a tiny baby in our house and we’re responsible for taking care of this little creature. Where’s the manual?” I asked, joking. My husband went looking for the manual. The good news is that the baby has no idea either. You will figure each other out. It’s like a puzzle. One by one, the pieces fall in place.
The absolute last thing a new mom needs is a mama grizzly nursing fanatic who decides her mission in life is that every child be nursed. Some can be less combative in their beliefs. And then there are the moms who decide to judge the bottle feeders. Notice I said “Bottle Feeders” and not “Bottom Feeders” as some grizzlies suggest with their toxic tones. Seriously, nursing moms, you are not all perfect. Stop baring your teeth and your breasts!
I was at lunch last week when I witnessed a mom with her nursing bra drooped on her lap. Her exploding, leaking breast was completely exposed. Her areola was over six inches in diameter. The baby was flailing like a fish while she tried to latch the baby’s mouth in mid-air. There she sat, bare breasted in all her motherly glory, shooting milk at the baby’s face and exposed to every customer who walked past. I honestly think that’s the first time in my life I didn’t finish a meal! And I was a nursing mom!
I’m sorry, but I’ve nursed while by my father-in-law filmed a video of me wishing everyone a Merry Christmas. He never knew. If the baby’s head had popped up to burp, he’d have passed out!
Moms, I suggest that we all get along. Let’s support each other’s decisions. Feed your baby any way you choose. There are enough troubles in our world that need our attention. Cuddle your little ones, kiss them and tell them you love them. That’s all a baby really needs anyway.
Leave a Reply