Fed is first! Fed is Essential! Breast is still Best. Now, do we as mothers do the best, perfect things for our children? No. And that's ok. And our kids will be ok.
AND
Breastfeeding reduces illness and mortality across the board for infants. It just does. So we should still advocate for breastfeeding. And I think just saying breast is best doesn't help. We need to support moms. I think we need to talk about breastfeeding at prenatal appointments. I'm a dentist, I had unmedicated deliveries, and for me... breastfeeding was easily the hardest physical thing I have ever done. It was brutal in the beginning, and I didn't great lactation support. But when we figured it out, breastfeeding was amazing.
I feel like fed is best negates all the effort that goes into the struggle to get breastfeeding going.
Also I did laser tongue ties for years. An element of my practice was just leveling with new moms and recognizing that breastfeeding can be really really hard. And I think that was healing in and of itself.
I breast fed both my babies. They were healthy solid little guys with lots of energy and I treasured my time with them while they nursed. With my first baby it was hard because she slept a lot and I was producing way too much milk, I was engorged and uncomfortable and leaking like a sieve so the first week or two were challenging. Then we got into the swing of things and everything settled down. Then the second baby was so much easier. It would have been easy to give up but I never once thought about quitting and I had great support from my friends. I would never judge another woman we all get too much judgement from everyone else but if you can get through the first couple of weeks definitely try!
So, so many factors go into growing and nurturing a baby. Breastmilk is great, but a loving healthy family is also great. Every family unit is unique and it’s so difficult to control for all of the variables needed to demonstrate a clear advantage of breastfeeding. I’m still nursing my 2.5 year old, but it really took a village to allow that to happen, and also cost me such a tremendous amount of stress, energy, and pain that sometimes I’m not sure if it’s been worth it.
Earth mother here, LOL. So, yes, I'm a "breast is best" kind of gal. However, I also recognize that it is not for everyone.
1) I was able to be a SAHM. Call it privileged if you will, but my husband made enough money that with careful attention to our spending habits, I could stay home while my girls were young. It ended up being for a bit longer than I would have wished... but that's a story for another day.
2) Not all women can take time away from work--and that complicates the breastfeeding relationship.
3) Anatomical considerations. Some women have inverted nipples that really complicate that latch on and the stress of trying, the feelings of personal failure make "let down" so much more difficult. If the baby never really latches on well it becomes such a painful process for the mom, that it negatively impacts the experience.
4) Some women simply don't want to breastfeed their child. Should those of us that think it's the bees knees put undue pressure on women that say no to the experience? How is that supporting our sisters?
I may think "breast is best" but I will never be militant about it.
I successfully managed to breastfeed all three of my girls. Including the infant with low muscle tone and a hole so huge in the center of the heart she essentially had a one chamber heart with all the blood sloshing around together. She tired easily, she was on digoxin and lasix until she had her open heart surgery. I had to nurse her frequently--letting her rest between one breast and the other. Fortunately, having been a Pediatric Cardiology nurse in one hospital and a PEDS ICU nurse in another hospital, I knew exactly what the fluid restrictions were going to be post surgery. So, when many moms were told to either stop nursing entirely, or pause nursing and pump only for 4-weeks post-op. I could tell the docs, how many cc's I was pumping. So when she refused feeds from a bottle post up, I delivered the magic number and I was able to resume breastfeeding 36 hours post-op. She was my one baby that I wanted to get her through at least two winters before stopping, because of her poorly functioning immune system could use the boost.
I do think it is possible to encourage breastfeeding with also recognizing it is not for everyone and then not laying a guilt trip on anyone choosing not to breastfeed.
Perhaps trying to appear unbiased one way or the other? I didn't breast feed but I feel very much that it was a psychological block due to my ill health shortly after birth. I couldn't suckle and was fed by dropper then later by spoon. I know it took it's toll on my Mum, well on both of us I guess. One might think it would have made me determined to breast feed but I think it had the opposite effect. I have absolutely no issue with those who do breast feed. It should be the most natural thing in the world. My daughter very much wanted to and persevered with her little boy. Unfortunately, he just wouldn't latch on. I don't think it did either of them any harm in the long run. What I do find upsetting is nursing staff being forcefully pro-breast. Making the first few days of motherhood very stressful for those who have difficulty.
The nurses being “forcefully pro-breast” is actually meant to counteract the effects of formula promotion and advertising that we know occurs in hospitals. They are trained to be supportive, not strict or shaming.
It’s that “struggle to get BF going” period that is fraught for so many new mothers. And, frankly, formula is an easy out (because yes, fed is best) rather than lactation support, which is crucial. So many factors contribute to pediatricians’ and family practitioners’ inability to help moms get started properly and deal with common early issues that cause them to question their efforts.
This discussion post is in no way meant to shame any mother who could not breastfeed, could not produce adequate breastmilk, or chose not to BF for some medical reason.
While I breast fed my daughters for one year because I was told it was wonderful for immunity and their health, I don't look down on any women who don't breastfeed. Whether it is they don't feel comfortable or work a job that doesn't allow them to keep up with pumping. I have heard stories of women who tried to continue to breast feed with jobs and just couldn't keep up. I took one trip away from my daughter when she was 8 months, and I had to pump so long to take that trip, and barely made it in time to come home. For active people, it is a really stressor, but one I felt was worth it because I am a little leery of formula. I could go into companies pushing formula to keep women from doing their natural job, but that's a whole other essay and a bit conspiracy theory! Thank you Susan for opening up this topic!
I have been doing research on safe infant feeding practices. Emily Oster SUCKS and DO NOT listen to her advice at all. She does not understand public health or data science.
Few people consider the microbial safety ("food safety") of formula versus breastfeeding.
Both breastfeeding and formula feeding pose risk when it comes to microbial safety (safety of the product consumed contamination by E coli, Salmonella, or Cronobacter for example). Via survey data and viewing social media content, many people do not follow safe hygienic practices when it comes to washing and storing breast pumps. This is bad because breastmilk contains a lot of bacteria. The equipment (and infant's mouth if doing natural) comes in contact of skin so all the bacteria on your skin (Staphylococcus) can get in the milk. Breast milk also contains a lot of bacteria too and this will grow on the breast pump if not sterilized between uses. And no bacteria growth will not be slowed down if you stick the breast pump in the fridge. This can also increase your risk of infection in your breasts.
SO, DO NOT USE THE FRIDGE HACK. If we lived in a more equitable society, women would be able to obtain 2 or 3 breast pumps from insurance so they could rotate them out more easily, the non-pumping partner would do all the cleaning, and women would have more time off to bf.
Also, most people also fail to prepare formula correctly which increases Cronobacter risk, and water source can be a risk source for infants too if you don't have access to clean water. If you drink water or consume products contaminated by pesticides or heavy metals, then that can also get in your breastmilk.
I hate the phrase fed is best. Hate it.
Fed is first! Fed is Essential! Breast is still Best. Now, do we as mothers do the best, perfect things for our children? No. And that's ok. And our kids will be ok.
AND
Breastfeeding reduces illness and mortality across the board for infants. It just does. So we should still advocate for breastfeeding. And I think just saying breast is best doesn't help. We need to support moms. I think we need to talk about breastfeeding at prenatal appointments. I'm a dentist, I had unmedicated deliveries, and for me... breastfeeding was easily the hardest physical thing I have ever done. It was brutal in the beginning, and I didn't great lactation support. But when we figured it out, breastfeeding was amazing.
I feel like fed is best negates all the effort that goes into the struggle to get breastfeeding going.
Also I did laser tongue ties for years. An element of my practice was just leveling with new moms and recognizing that breastfeeding can be really really hard. And I think that was healing in and of itself.
I breast fed both my babies. They were healthy solid little guys with lots of energy and I treasured my time with them while they nursed. With my first baby it was hard because she slept a lot and I was producing way too much milk, I was engorged and uncomfortable and leaking like a sieve so the first week or two were challenging. Then we got into the swing of things and everything settled down. Then the second baby was so much easier. It would have been easy to give up but I never once thought about quitting and I had great support from my friends. I would never judge another woman we all get too much judgement from everyone else but if you can get through the first couple of weeks definitely try!
So, so many factors go into growing and nurturing a baby. Breastmilk is great, but a loving healthy family is also great. Every family unit is unique and it’s so difficult to control for all of the variables needed to demonstrate a clear advantage of breastfeeding. I’m still nursing my 2.5 year old, but it really took a village to allow that to happen, and also cost me such a tremendous amount of stress, energy, and pain that sometimes I’m not sure if it’s been worth it.
It was worth it for your toddler, I’m sure. But yes, it is hard to pull off in modern times for so many reasons.
I have no idea how women do it, viewing a lot of breastfeeding social media content, it can really takes a toll on mental health!
Earth mother here, LOL. So, yes, I'm a "breast is best" kind of gal. However, I also recognize that it is not for everyone.
1) I was able to be a SAHM. Call it privileged if you will, but my husband made enough money that with careful attention to our spending habits, I could stay home while my girls were young. It ended up being for a bit longer than I would have wished... but that's a story for another day.
2) Not all women can take time away from work--and that complicates the breastfeeding relationship.
3) Anatomical considerations. Some women have inverted nipples that really complicate that latch on and the stress of trying, the feelings of personal failure make "let down" so much more difficult. If the baby never really latches on well it becomes such a painful process for the mom, that it negatively impacts the experience.
4) Some women simply don't want to breastfeed their child. Should those of us that think it's the bees knees put undue pressure on women that say no to the experience? How is that supporting our sisters?
I may think "breast is best" but I will never be militant about it.
I successfully managed to breastfeed all three of my girls. Including the infant with low muscle tone and a hole so huge in the center of the heart she essentially had a one chamber heart with all the blood sloshing around together. She tired easily, she was on digoxin and lasix until she had her open heart surgery. I had to nurse her frequently--letting her rest between one breast and the other. Fortunately, having been a Pediatric Cardiology nurse in one hospital and a PEDS ICU nurse in another hospital, I knew exactly what the fluid restrictions were going to be post surgery. So, when many moms were told to either stop nursing entirely, or pause nursing and pump only for 4-weeks post-op. I could tell the docs, how many cc's I was pumping. So when she refused feeds from a bottle post up, I delivered the magic number and I was able to resume breastfeeding 36 hours post-op. She was my one baby that I wanted to get her through at least two winters before stopping, because of her poorly functioning immune system could use the boost.
I do think it is possible to encourage breastfeeding with also recognizing it is not for everyone and then not laying a guilt trip on anyone choosing not to breastfeed.
totally agree with you. Thanks, Nancy.
Nothing can give a developing newborn better nourishment, immune protection, and comfort, than a Mother's Breast and it's heavenly Milk
Perhaps trying to appear unbiased one way or the other? I didn't breast feed but I feel very much that it was a psychological block due to my ill health shortly after birth. I couldn't suckle and was fed by dropper then later by spoon. I know it took it's toll on my Mum, well on both of us I guess. One might think it would have made me determined to breast feed but I think it had the opposite effect. I have absolutely no issue with those who do breast feed. It should be the most natural thing in the world. My daughter very much wanted to and persevered with her little boy. Unfortunately, he just wouldn't latch on. I don't think it did either of them any harm in the long run. What I do find upsetting is nursing staff being forcefully pro-breast. Making the first few days of motherhood very stressful for those who have difficulty.
The nurses being “forcefully pro-breast” is actually meant to counteract the effects of formula promotion and advertising that we know occurs in hospitals. They are trained to be supportive, not strict or shaming.
It’s that “struggle to get BF going” period that is fraught for so many new mothers. And, frankly, formula is an easy out (because yes, fed is best) rather than lactation support, which is crucial. So many factors contribute to pediatricians’ and family practitioners’ inability to help moms get started properly and deal with common early issues that cause them to question their efforts.
This discussion post is in no way meant to shame any mother who could not breastfeed, could not produce adequate breastmilk, or chose not to BF for some medical reason.
While I breast fed my daughters for one year because I was told it was wonderful for immunity and their health, I don't look down on any women who don't breastfeed. Whether it is they don't feel comfortable or work a job that doesn't allow them to keep up with pumping. I have heard stories of women who tried to continue to breast feed with jobs and just couldn't keep up. I took one trip away from my daughter when she was 8 months, and I had to pump so long to take that trip, and barely made it in time to come home. For active people, it is a really stressor, but one I felt was worth it because I am a little leery of formula. I could go into companies pushing formula to keep women from doing their natural job, but that's a whole other essay and a bit conspiracy theory! Thank you Susan for opening up this topic!
I've been researching breastfeeding practices and I have no idea how women do it!! Really really time consuming and can be stressful.
I have been doing research on safe infant feeding practices. Emily Oster SUCKS and DO NOT listen to her advice at all. She does not understand public health or data science.
Few people consider the microbial safety ("food safety") of formula versus breastfeeding.
Both breastfeeding and formula feeding pose risk when it comes to microbial safety (safety of the product consumed contamination by E coli, Salmonella, or Cronobacter for example). Via survey data and viewing social media content, many people do not follow safe hygienic practices when it comes to washing and storing breast pumps. This is bad because breastmilk contains a lot of bacteria. The equipment (and infant's mouth if doing natural) comes in contact of skin so all the bacteria on your skin (Staphylococcus) can get in the milk. Breast milk also contains a lot of bacteria too and this will grow on the breast pump if not sterilized between uses. And no bacteria growth will not be slowed down if you stick the breast pump in the fridge. This can also increase your risk of infection in your breasts.
SO, DO NOT USE THE FRIDGE HACK. If we lived in a more equitable society, women would be able to obtain 2 or 3 breast pumps from insurance so they could rotate them out more easily, the non-pumping partner would do all the cleaning, and women would have more time off to bf.
Also, most people also fail to prepare formula correctly which increases Cronobacter risk, and water source can be a risk source for infants too if you don't have access to clean water. If you drink water or consume products contaminated by pesticides or heavy metals, then that can also get in your breastmilk.
Here are my tips on safe infant feeding:
https://substack.com/@feministscientist/note/c-102571587