26/10/2018
This post is not about pushing breastfeeding, I am the first one to say breast or bottle as long as you feed your baby with love that is all that matters. I truly believe that it is a mothers right to choose how they feed their baby and that choice should be respected either way.
This post is about levelling the playing field though as I do often hear the negatives about breastfeeding (baby won’t sleep through, nobody can help do a night feed, embarrassment to feed when out etc) and the positives about formula feeding (baby will sleep better, partner can feed baby, baby can be fed anywhere etc). Knowledge is power and having the power to make an informed choice will undoubtedly result in a better experience. So this is my honest view of breastfeeding from my personal experience.
I have breastfed both my boys and yes the first couple weeks were tough and painful and so tiring. BUT this passes so quickly. Babies aren’t meant to sleep all night, their tiny tummies need refilling every few hours, that’s normal and babies who are formula fed do still need night feeds. Whilst you may need to feed a breastfed baby more often you can actually do this without even getting out of bed if your baby is sleeping in the same room as you.
You don’t need to get up, turn the lights on and make up a bottle. I have never needed to make a bottle up in the night but it sounds exhausting. With breastfeeding you can do this without you or baby fully waking up and it’s much easier for both of you to fall back asleep then. Nighttime feeds are also special. I have a toddler and a four month old, during the day I always have one eye on my older son when I’m feeding my baby but during the night when it’s only me and him I can really enjoy the precious cuddles and savour breathing in his gorgeous baby scent.
When it comes to feeding when out and about if you breastfeed you don’t need to plan ahead, baby’s next meal is always on tap. If I had to think about packing bottles and formula and figure out how to make them up when out I would probably never make it out of the door. And I have never had a negative breastfeeding experience, most people don’t even notice when you are feeding and if they do they either subtly look away or give an encouraging smile. This photo was taken when my son needed feeding in the woods last weekend, and it was just so easy. You can practically see the oxytocin flowing between us because we were both happy and relaxed.
As with the rest of motherhood there is no effortless option, at times breastfeeding can be hard but formula feeding is not an easy option either. Breastfeeding is not for everyone and there should be no guilt associated with that, all mummies are heroes. But seek support and enhance your knowledge so you can make the best and most informed choice for you and your baby.
With thanks to Elaine Rolfe photography who captured this photo when I was blissfully unaware she even had the camera in her hand. It’s so natural it’s a picture I will always treasure.
