So, I've been breastfeeding Phoenix for 2 months now... During these two months, I've noticed just how ignorant and insensitive people can be, when it comes to breastfeeding. It's like, we don't have rights.. You can feed your baby a bottle, but I can't feed mine from my breast.. Here are some questions that I've heard people ask other BF Momma's, followed by my answers (:
1. Can't you time your outings around the feedings?
No, because babies get hungry when their bodies tell them to... Not when the clock says so. This varies from every 30 minutes, to every 4 hours...
2. Why don't you just pump and put it in a bottle?
Well, I could, but honestly, my son eats so much, so often, that by the time I'm able to pump, I can't get enough for a bottle for him.. And it's really not worth the time.
3. How about feeding before you leave?
I actually do almost always feed him before leaving. But, as previously stated, I can't control his hunger.
4. Haven't you ever heard of formula?
Mechanically made formula? The same stuff that gets recalled at least once a year due to being contaminated with poisons? The stuff loaded with starches, and sugars? The stuff with only a fraction of the vitamins and nutrients that my breast milk has? That formula? Yea, I've heard of it.. So?
5. You're just doing it to get a rise out of people, being an attention whore.
Why yes, that's exactly what I want. People staring at me, making rude faces, and saying mean things about me.. How'd you guess?
Actually, what I want is to give my baby the absolute best nutrition available. To give him something that is made specifically for him, and his nutritional needs.
6. Why not just cover up?
Because my son does this crazy thing if he can't see me when he eats... He'll headbutt my boob until I look at him. Besides that, it becomes wayy more obvious that I'm nursing if I have a huge blanket over my shoulder. And it's really hot, uncomfortable, and super annoying.
7. Well, then go to the bathroom.
You can't be serious with this one... I don't even like going into a public bathroom to pee, I'm certainly not going to feed my child in one.
8. It's trashy.
No offense to formula feeding Mommas, but I honestly think that giving a baby a bottle looks trashier than giving them a bob. Idk why, but it really just does. Now, I'm not saying that it IS trashy to do it, it just looks that way.
9. I don't like breast feeding, because it's too sexual.
No, it's not sexual at all. As a friend of mine said one time, when your boyfriend/girlfriend sucks on your neck, it feels good, but if you put a vacuum to your neck, it does not... Same thing goes with breast feeding.. Also, I personally believe hat in order to see something as 'sexual' you have to be thinking about sex. OBGYN's don't get turned on by their patients, because they're thinking about work, not sex. So, if I, or anyone else considers breastfeeding 'too sexual' then they're most likely thinking sexual about their kids, and are in need of some SERIOUS help.
And in regards to mine, and everyone else's breastfeeding pictures. NO, you are not seeing pictures of our boobs. You are seeing pictures of us feeding our children THE RIGHT WAY. The way they were born to be fed. The way they are supposed to be fed. And you'll see me, doing my job as a mother, and nourishing my child to the best of my ability.. (:
