Comments on: Supporting Breastfeeding VS. Promoting Breastfeeding

By: Stephanie

Stephanie — Sat, 11 Jul 2009 17:03:57 +0000

Thank you Amanda for this post! Obviously you know that Ryan is a few days shy of 4 1/2 months old I am still nursing him, and even still 4 months later I need to hear encouraging words such as this note you posted. I struggled for 6 weeks to get my son to latch on & stay on. That right there was almost a factor in me giving up and giving him formula, however I was determined to breastfeed, mainly because it is better for them, and then the bonding and how cheap it is! My family does not support me in breastfeeding, they said MAYBE 6 mo, but definitely not longer than that.. and honestly I have a goal to bfeed for at least a year, and I am thinking of even maybe up to 18 months or 2 years? I haven’t decided, and I think I will let Ryan wean himself weather that be at 9 months or 2 years old. Anyway, I wanted to say thank you and that every once in a while it is nice to see that other people support my choice, and generally speaking, THE choice to breastfeed. More of a motivating factor for me to continue!!

By: Blair Covington

Blair Covington — Tue, 19 May 2009 16:23:38 +0000

I tell them that it is their family and their decision…I give them a couple of my favorite websites to visit….once they hit the cool hip breastfeeding site like http://www.breastfeedingdivas.com (one of my very favorites) they usually choose breastfeeding….fashion always wins and saving money on formula and disposable diapers never hurts. Good luck to all….have a happy summer!

By: Multi-Tasking Mommy

Multi-Tasking Mommy — Thu, 14 May 2009 12:31:19 +0000

Yet another hot topic that I am interested in right now. I breastfed my daughter until she was 13 months old and am currently breastfeeding my son who is 7 months old.

I think that if it weren’t for the huge promotion of breastfeeding right now, not as many Moms would feel as encouraged to try it out because it certainly is difficult. However, I also feel that there isn’t enough being said that if you have tried breastfeeding and it isn’t working for you or, for whatever reason you decide you don’t want to try that formula feeding isn’t ‘bad’ either. You are right, our generation was predominantly formula fed and we all turned out just fine.

My friends and family all know how important breastfeeding is to me, but they also know that I don’t judge others who decide not to. It is a personal choice.

I have one aunt who discouraged my efforts in breastfeeding and who felt that I should have weaned my daughter at 5 months so that I could attend my cousin’s wedding. Argh…that made me SO mad! My hubby brought her to the church and waited outside so that I could feed her after the ceremony and followed me to the reception where I nursed her in the parking lot before heading into the dinner. I stayed for a couple of hours and drove home to nurse her again. It was important for me to go, but not important enough for me to wean her either.

Thanks for this post!

By: Jenn

Jenn — Mon, 11 May 2009 20:34:46 +0000

I actually had the other extreme – I felt insane pressure to breastfeed from the lactation consultant at the hospital despite the fact I had a rather major breast reduction and was struggling with a number of my ducts having no way to get their milk to my nipple. Ouch! Luckily a nurse finally came in on DAY FIVE I was in the hospital and talked to me about balance and taking it easy on myself and having the chance to just relax a bit with my son. He wasn’t gaining weight, I was getting crazy mixed messages, I wanted desperately to breastfeed, and I didn’t know which way was up.

I am happy to report that we started using formula when we got home, that I did a combo of BF and FF for four months (taking donperidone the whole time and pumping like a crazy woman), and that my little preemie is now turning one this week and in the 95th percentile (and has been since he was 6 months old).

By: Amanda

Amanda — Mon, 11 May 2009 18:36:03 +0000

@Candace – Thank you for sharing your story! There are MANY moms like you that eventually get breastfeeding to work, but then they don’t seem to make enough milk to satisfy a fast growing baby. Amelia who posted here in the comments has a similar story. I think it is awesome that you were able to speak with a lactation consultant and they helped you. I know Asher is a growing boy and he just needs A LOT to eat! Thank you again for sharing, I am sure someone else reading the comments is encouraged by your story.