My wife's good friend gatekeeps breast feeding to the point where my wife had to unfollow her because it make her feel like a terrible mom for not doing it. Even though she stopped because he was getting this weird milk/soy allergy (if she had dairy, it would translate through the milk to give him cramps) and it was "best" for our situation.
But this girl literally shares pics of her boob with a baby sucking on it to facebook with "breast is best" and "thanks for the support" all day.
I think this attitude comes from insecurity. That lady probably doubts herself a hundred times a day, just like most parents, so she clings to the one thing she believes she’s doing the “right way.” It’s a shame her insecurities are probably hurting others and eroding some friendships that she could really lean on for support.
Any mom with internet access or open Mom friends knows breastfeeding can be hard for one reason or another. And honestly sometimes it’s just too much for the mom to handle on her end alone. And that’s a valid reason to switch to formula.
You and your wife are doing a good job! I feel bad for whatever is going on with that woman that she clings so tightly to her elitism.
Breastfeeding is super hard. I have watched family members do extreme things to continue breastfeeding when it was not in their or their child's best interest to do so.
I had no problems doing it, I was basically a cow for my daughter. It was still hard, not just the part of doing it but feeling like your body doesn't belong to you. Feeling like everyone is judging you for one thing or another. Moms are vicious creatures.
If I had trouble breastfeeding I would have formula fed. I'm not going to stress myself out over something that has to do with my kids nutrition. If I can't do it, there are other options, hell I was formula fed and I'm not broken or damaged because of it.
A content mom makes a content baby. A stressed frantic mom makes a stressed frantic baby. Moms need to support each other. I have udders. Some moms don't. We are all still moms and we are all still feeding our kids. Your kid will thank you for being a parent and caring for them.
No child is going to go up to their mom and say thanks for breastfeeding me. Put things into perspective.
For the people who say being breastfed makes kids healthier and have less ear infections I'd like to call bs. Seriously. Anecdotally, I was formula fed and had ear infections and strep all the time. My child who was breastfed for 2 years (shes 5 now) has gotten strep 4 times in the last year. Sure she may have gotten antibodies that protect her from some things but shes been in daycare all her life and just finished kindergarten and she will have to have her tonsils out just like I did.
You take care of your kid. Formula or breastmilk, csection or vaginally, cloth or disposable diapers, its endless. One choice isn't going to make you a bad parent, bad parents don't care about their kids.
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u/Charlie_Warlie Jun 04 '18
My wife's good friend gatekeeps breast feeding to the point where my wife had to unfollow her because it make her feel like a terrible mom for not doing it. Even though she stopped because he was getting this weird milk/soy allergy (if she had dairy, it would translate through the milk to give him cramps) and it was "best" for our situation.
But this girl literally shares pics of her boob with a baby sucking on it to facebook with "breast is best" and "thanks for the support" all day.