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Home > Blogs > Women's Life > Archives > 2009 > March > 19 > Entry
Is breastfeeding really best?
While breastfeeding has been in the news here due to the multitasking, breastfeeding mom driver, a recent national article questions whether breastfeeding is really best.
In an article in The Atlantic, called “The Case Against Breastfeeding,” author and new mother Hanna Rosin discusses the downside of breastfeeding.
“The debate about breastfeeding takes place without any reference to its actual context in women’s lives. Breastfeeding exclusively is not like taking a prenatal vitamin. It is a serious time commitment that pretty much guarantees that you will not work in any meaningful way. Let’s say a baby feeds seven times a day and then a couple more times at night. That’s nine times for about a half hour each, which adds up to more than half of a working day, every day, for at least six months. This is why, when people say that breastfeeding is “free,” I want to hit them with a two-by-four. It’s only free if a woman’s time is worth nothing.”
Rosin is currently working at home. She says the time she spends with her baby is priceless, but asks those who say breastfeeding is ‘free’ what they think her time is worth. Either way, she is left with guilt.
“Value of my time according to the IRS, my family budget, etc: zero. Right now I’m in a transition phase: looking for work and both at home and out and about. I’m mostly at home with the baby, breastfeeding, but working very hard to get out there. To aid this process, I’m a supplementer and I love being able to use formula here and there. I love breastfeeding too, but I welcome a bottle! I feel guilty saying that,” she said.
So there you have it. You breastfeed, you don’t feel guilty, but you can’t work full-time. You don’t breastfeed and you feel guilty because society tells you to breastfeed.
What do you think?
Permalink | Comments (10) | Post your comment | Categories: health
Comments
By null
March 19, 2009 4:10 PM | Link to this
you can work full time and still breast feed. i went back to work at 3 weeks and took a pump with me. my son never had go without AND i was able to breastfeed all the way through. He is currently 15 months and is just now beginning to have cow milk also. it is possible to do both, if you are willing to put forth the effort
By flipper
March 19, 2009 4:25 PM | Link to this
Talk to any doctor, nurse or mid-wife and they will tell you that it is best for the newborn. The problem is mothers do not want to take the time or make the effort. It is much cheaper as well. Do the right thing for your baby.
By Wordell
March 19, 2009 4:50 PM | Link to this
…as long as you’re not breast feeding your child while driving a vehicle while you’re talking on your cell phone and eating a Marions Pizza….breast feeding is best for the child.
By null
March 19, 2009 5:00 PM | Link to this
How do you put a $ value on your time with your baby? I breastfed all 5 of mine…the longest exclusively for 20 mos (no bottles ever). I would not give up that time for anything. I chose to be a stay-at-home mom so I could be there for my children for this very important time in their lives. You will never get this time back. I only went back to work full time when the 5th went to kindergarten. The value I place on my time is the health & happiness of my children…not the amount of $ in my pocket or the amount of time I can “get away” from my children by leaving them & going to work.
By Nancy
March 19, 2009 5:11 PM | Link to this
While it’s great that some people have time to breastfeed, I do not plan to do so for the baby I’m currently expecting. I’m insulted that some people deride me for this decision. My employer is willing to give me time to pump, but my work schedule is hectic and stressful. And I don’t need to leave a big meeting with a client so I can hide in the bathroom and pump several times a day. If you have the time, great. If not, your baby WILL be just fine. People - don’t judge! My time IS valuable and I HAVE to work if I want to pay the bills.
By boohoo
March 19, 2009 5:17 PM | Link to this
breastfeeding is great. but i don’t understand that if the baby whimper a little it’s starving & i must feed my baby now regardless where the location. people look at them some may just want to seek a peek. try to be private so you don’t make people stare. at my church every service this women feed her baby during the service then plays around with the baby after.this is nothing but a distraction. please go to the ladies room where there a nice couch. breastfeeding the best way for nutrition. please try be more discreet in open places. women get pissed off if someone looks or stares. that time is with you and the baby. not the baby mom and whole world. you might be providing the right care for your baby but you are also making it discomforting to some people around. we need to take i don’t care attitude what others thinks throw it out the window. feed your baby, please use more discretion
By Katrina
March 19, 2009 7:58 PM | Link to this
While I think it’s best, I don’t think there is anything wrong with formula feeding, either. I breastfed my oldest two but my youngest…well, it just didn’t work. He hasn’t been sick any more than the other two were and he’s smart as can be.
By MN
March 19, 2009 10:06 PM | Link to this
While medically breastfeeding might be best for the baby, a mother’s well-being needs to be taken into concern. As someone who encountered severe post-partum, I found it was healthier for both my son AND I to bottle feed so I could take medicine to help my depression. Women face enough obstacles in life. I’d love to see women quit judging other mothers on whether or not they choose to breastfeed. Each woman must do what’s right for her and her family.
By Linda
March 20, 2009 8:09 AM | Link to this
Let’s face it - babies are inconvenient. All babies need their mothers to be present many hours a day, which puts mothers in a tight situation if they also want to do “adult” things like make money. To pit breastfeeding moms against formula-feeding mothers is to “divide and conquer” - let’s support ALL mothers!
By JW
March 23, 2009 7:22 PM | Link to this
I breastfeed both my boys & I worked a full-time job. I didn’t not supplement with formula at all. My employer was very supportive & scheduling breaks to pump was easy. I wouldnt change a thing. The bonding experience you have with you children is irreplacable.