A guy's take on why breastfeeding isn't that great (and why it is great) -- part one

From the Community…

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  Posted by brooke g Tue Sep 16, 2008 12:16pm PDT

  I hope you do not have children. Your article was poorely organized and lacked any strong advice or information. It is a fact that breastmilk is a 1,000 times better than formula.

  I don't understand how women can carry a baby for 9 months doing everything possible to keep it healthy and provide the best support for it. Than to deliver it and feed it from a can? I just don't get it.

  People need to get over the stigma of breastfeeding. It is the most natural and beautiful way to give your new baby everything it needs. Simple as that.

  And yes, I am pregnant and can't wait to breastfeed because it is the best for my baby!

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  Posted by Michelle L Tue Sep 16, 2008 12:32pm PDT

  yes women should breast feed im all for it if i had a baby yes id breast feed him or her thats what they r made for in my book I wish that though that people dont complaine about breast feeding in public babies have to eat to they get hungury and they cant wait until they get fed they have to have it when they want it and not to take them to the bathroom to do it the bathrooms have germs in them so yes its good to breast feed them they dont gewt sick

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  Posted by DMLady Tue Sep 16, 2008 12:49pm PDT

  oh brooke, brooke, brooke. you just have all of the answers, don't you?

  not everyone can breast feed their child. what if the child rejects the mother's breast milk (like my niece did)? is the mother supposed to force-feed the child? what if the child is allergic to the mother's breast milk (like i was)? are we just supposed to say, "Who cares? Feed the child, anyway. Illness be damned!"

  but you would know what is best for EVERY MOTHER ON THE PLANET now, wouldn't you?

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  Posted by Beth Tue Sep 16, 2008 12:54pm PDT

  Breastfeeding should be every woman's number one choice, the benefits are unmatched with any formula. It's what breasts are for. It's the only reason we even have them. Now, if a woman has given it the old college try--and I mean really tried, like 4 weeks minimum--then fine, use formula, that's cool with me. Even though I have my doubts that there's any woman who "can't" do it. Like I said, that's why we have them. I guess a woman who can't breastfeed should thank her lucky stars she had children in the age of formula. Years ago, her kids would have starved.

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  Posted by Stephanie Tue Sep 16, 2008 1:39pm PDT

  Years ago someone would have hired a wet nurse. Look that up Beth. And yes, the body does sometimes not let you do what it is 'designed for'. My friend walked around with breast pump sucking at her for hours and hours for six weeks and never produced anything more than colostrum. Just for argument's sake...why do your nipples get erect when you are passionate? Does that help breast feeding only or is it for your pleasure? Hmmm did God really make our bodies for pleasure too? Shocking!

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  Posted by selflove Tue Sep 16, 2008 2:04pm PDT

  Breast feeding come very nature to some but famliy member don't support this a woman who want to do things different.

  We can take the milk and place in a bottle and even leave with

  the caregiver.Bottlefeeding has become all the baby need.

  breastfeeding about patient with the body,learning about your baby

  devolpmenting a bond that will lasts between mommie and baby

  something we don't even think about things like this

  a place for breastfeeding should be in everyplace if women supported each other. what a different it would make.

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  Posted by stephaniec74 Tue Sep 16, 2008 2:20pm PDT

  Breastmilk is 1,000 times better than formula? Brooke g, I find that just a little hard to believe. Of course it is better than formula, but if it were even twice as good as formula, it seems to me that you'd be able to look in a preschool classroom and instantly pick out the children who were breastfed as opposed to formula fed. Yes, there are benefits, but be very careful equating formula-use to child neglect or endangerment. And since you have yet to actually try breast-feeding, I'd reserve a little of your judgment for when you actually have experienced it -- it's not always as easy as you might think.

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  Posted by Rose Tue Sep 16, 2008 2:26pm PDT

  There are over 400 nutrients/vitamins/antibodies found in breast milk that science cannot reproduce in formula; therefore, IF a woman can, it is better for her child if she breastfeeds.

  Vitamin D is produced when our skin is exposed to the sun, all we (and our babies) need is 10-15 minutes of sun exposure/day to produce the vitamin naturally.

  It is quite possible that our nipples get erect when we are aroused as a sign of evolutionary success; e.g. the man sees (physically and aesthetically) that the woman is capable of feeding any offspring. I am sure many mammals get erect nipples; however, I am not sure how many of them get their nipples stroked in the heat of the moment! Our breasts were made for feeding just like all other mammals and humans got the good end of the stick because we also derive sexual pleasure from them.

  Unfortunately breast pumps (unless hospital grade) cannot duplicate the strong sucking of a baby. Some women just do not produce enough milk and formula is required…nothing wrong with that.

  Further it is very unusual (not impossible) for a child to reject the breast – perhaps a bottle was introduced too early. Also, no child is allergic to his/her mother milk; the child is allergic to something mom is eating and that food or foods should be removed from the mother’s diet while she continues to breastfeed.

  Breastfeeding mothers definately need more support in public settings. I mean each state (some don't) actually has its own law protecting breastfeeding mothers from crimminal charges. Women do need to support each other no matter what choice we make on how to feed our children.

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  Posted by DMLady Tue Sep 16, 2008 2:33pm PDT

  No child is allergic to his/her mother milk, rosenylan? Really? Are you sure about that? Are you a medical professional?

  So my projectile vomiting when my mother tried to feed me was just me being rebellious?

  My mother was on a strict diet (eating and drinking what her doctor recommended her to) and I still had an allergic reaction. Again, projectile vomiting.

  But you're the expert, right, rosenylan? Of course you are.

  NO child is EVER allergic to their mother's breast milk. EVER. Doctors and mothers are, apparently, just making that up.

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  Posted by DMLady Tue Sep 16, 2008 2:37pm PDT

  And no, rosenylan. My sister did not start on a bottle, with my niece, too early. She tried to breast feed my niece while she was in the hospital (my sister had to have a last minute c-section) and kept trying when she went home. My niece just didn't want my sister's breast. And since my niece had to eat, my sister gave up and gave her the bottle which my niece took to, immediately.

  Don't make general statements when every person and situation in this world is different.

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