Source: North Jersey.com
When I was pregnant, I read all the articles that stated “breast is best,” but I decided not to breastfeed.
Before your child is born, the nurses will ask you, “Are you bottle or breast feeding?” and you can feel them judging as soon as you say, “bottle.”
I will never judge a woman based on whether she wants to breastfeed or formula feed. I don’t think you should be made to feel like a bad parent if you don’t follow certain recommended parenting styles.
I am one of few of my friends who did not breastfeed, but I can tell you the varying things my breastfeeding friends have said to me: “I felt like a cow. Always having to pump.” “My baby is less likely to become sick.” Some enjoyed it. Some didn’t.
But none of this mattered to me and it shouldn’t to new moms trying to make the decision of bottle or breast. I went with what I felt comfortable doing as a parent. The last thing you should want to be while caring for a newborn is uncomfortable. There are pros and cons – just like anything else.
One of my main reasons for deciding to formula feed my daughter was that I was nervous about not knowing how much milk she was actually consuming. And we should remember that there are pregnant women who have a delayed onset of lactation, milk that is late or slow to come in. They may want to breastfeed but aren’t able to – they shouldn’t feel ashamed about that.
By deciding to formula feed our baby, my husband was also able to help out. He bonded with her during her feeding times; the same as I did.
A new study published in the journal of Pediatrics found that breastfeeding has little impact on long-term cognitive development and behavior. But I also know that a mother’s milk contains substances to help the baby’s immune system.
We were lucky — our daughter liked the formula she had in the hospital and had no problems with it. She was not colic and was rarely constipated. She drinks around 30 ounces a day. She is in the 50th percentile in weight and 70th percentile in height. My daughter is a happy and healthy baby.
When did we become a culture where we make other moms feel less than for not breastfeeding? I think all that matters is that your child is being given the nutrients he or she needs as a developing baby.