I am a LACTIVIST. I am a breastfeeding "Nazi" to some. I am a passionate advocate for breastfeeding.
I also breastfed my son for ONLY one month.
Why am I telling you this? Well, because every time I make a comment, share on page or make a blog post about breastfeeding, how it is better, natural, standard and wonderful...every time I say that formula is sub par, is artificial and full of not so healthy things, is no where near as good as breastmilk....every time I give handy helpful hints for breastfeeding in hopes someone will benefit, I get met with defensive attitudes. I get to hear how formula is a lifesaver when someone can't nurse, how not everyone can breastfeed, how breastfeeding is pushed so hard on everyone.
Well, you know what? I UNDERSTAND that. I NEVER want to make another mom feel bad because she couldn't breastfeed or had to use formula. The reason I post these things is to encourage those that have NEVER seen another mom nurse to perhaps decide to try with their new one. I want mom's that are trying to NEVER have to say...you know, if only I had known that, I wouldn't have quit. I want mom's who are struggling to maybe see these things and realize what they may be doing wrong and be able to correct it and make it a wonderful experience instead of a struggle. I want the world to view breastfeeding as what it is, THE way to feed a baby. Now, does that mean if you couldn't do that you should be judged or berated..NO, NOT AT ALL...And that has NEVER been my purpose. I am passionate about educating others because I wasn't educated on it. I had no clue what to do or how to do it. I NEVER want to see another mom like me. One who stops only because she was clueless. It's one thing to stop because you can't or because you decide it isn't for you. It's another to stop based solely on lack of information. I already feel guilty because I quit, I CANNOT have it on my shoulders the additional guilt of knowing that I could have potentially made a difference for another mom and chose not to just to not offend formula feeding moms.
Please, if you are a nursing mom, advocate and educate. If you are a formula mom, understand and allow me to offset my guilt by teaching others. Don't berate me because I chose this outlet.
I honestly don't get the whole 'breastfeeding is pushed on everyone' thing. I am sitting in Starbucks. There are nine babies dotted around this tiny coffee shop. Mine is the ONLY one that is breastfeeding. HOW is that bf being 'pushed'? How is that nazi behaviour winning out? I don't see the numbers represented in reality, sadly. I honestly just think that the 'marketing' for formula is so much more subtle and therefor unoffensive.
ReplyDeleteI agree with you and have written about it myself: sharing information is NOT an attack.
Keep up the good work.
Thank you. And yes, I do agree with you. I decide not to get into that on this post. Maybe next one. :)
ReplyDeleteLOL - You and I must be having the same rough week... http://thegoodletdown.blogspot.com/2011/04/why-all-breastfeeding-posts.html
ReplyDeleteHaha, the sad thing is, I POSTED your blog post on my page AND on my personal one. Then, I got one of the responses I was referring to just last night. So, I felt compelled to write this, totally forgot I had already read yours on it. So, yeah...LOL
ReplyDeleteLove it!!! Exactly how I feel!!
ReplyDeleteI tried to share this on facebook because I get ridiculed for being a lactivist but your content is banned! I didn't know that, did you know??
Kelley
Ugh!! I just tried to share this on my fb and was blocked from doing so because it has been rated as abusive/spam. Grrr FB!!!
ReplyDeleteOh wow, yeah Mom: Informed... you might wanna check that out... no one can click the "share" button on your blog to post it on FB. A warning comes up "This message contains blocked content that has previously been flagged as abusive or spammy. Let us know if you think this is an error." You CAN however copy/paste the link to her blog on your page. I already did that!
ReplyDeleteWTF? No clue. How do I fix that?
ReplyDeleteIt let me do it just fine to my personal account. I will keep trying. Thanks SO much for the heads up.
ReplyDeleteIt's still blocked for me. The "Let us know if this is in error" part is highlighted, so I clicked on it and it takes you to a form for FB that you can fill out letting them know that this blog is not spam/abusive. If enough of your fans do that it should be fixed. I did it! The system said it would email me a response. I'll let you know what it says.
ReplyDeleteYou know what no problem, I won't argue with you on your point if view on my blog, if you (not really you, bit pro breast nmommies) don't argue with me on my pro formula blog. I never breastfed, never had interest. I have no problem with those that do, but get tired of hearing how my way is backwards and uneducated. I am very educated, and have read plenty of research. My decision is mine, as yours is yours.
ReplyDelete@ anonymous
ReplyDeleteKinda hard to tell who you are or even read your blog if you post anonymously. I highly doubt anyone here has ever referred to a formula-feeding mother as backward or uneducated in a demeaning way just as I'm sure you have never demeaned a breastfeeding mom or lactivist. If you think formula is best for your child, that's your decision and your child - I have no desire to take that decision away from you. However, to equate society's attitude toward formula with its attitude toward breastfeeding is a *little* off. The majority of mothers don't stop formula because it hurts or they have a bad latch. They don't start breastfeeding because their maternity leave is up or because they just couldn't get the hang of formula; they don't start breastfeeding b/c they couldn't give the baby a bottle often enough & just ran out of formula; they don't start breastfeeding b/c silicone nipples are just too sexualized. It takes more support to breastfeed, and all we're trying to do is help those who WANT to do it and dispel the myths and misconceptions propogated by big corporations whose bottom lines depend on the failure of breastfeeding. No one makes money off my boobs, but a huge corporation makes money off your formula cans. There's an inherent bias in our capitalist society against everything free & it takes activism to counteract that.
Love this post. I call myself a "lactivist at heart" because I only breastfeed my oldest for a few weeks and exclusively pumped for my youngest for 15 months. So, I am by no means a breastfeeding pro, but I share breastfeeding info with others, support breastfeeding moms all the time, and even help admin on one of the Human Milk 4 Human Babies Global Network community pages on Facebook (www.hm4hb.net). I learned from my mis-steps in motherhood and moved past the guilt I felt; and now hope that the information I pass on will help other moms make the normal choice for their babies and have the best breastfeeding relationship possible.
ReplyDeleteAMEN AIHLEY!! Took the words right out of my mouth. :)
ReplyDeleteLove love love love love love this. THANK YOU for sharing!
ReplyDeleteI was able to click the share button fine. I feel like I could have written this post!!!! I did not BF my oldest but for around 8 weeks. The whole time I struggled. I was not educated enough to the "experts" were not giving me the right advice and in the end switched full time to formula. I do not have a single issue with moms who end up formula feeding. I do take issues with the companies that make it so crappy!!!! and market it so brainwashing!!!!!! I think education is key!!! and so is changing and making formula companies do a better job!!!!
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