8.05.2011

Breastfeeding: It's What Tits Are For.


I am a Lactivist - and proud of it.

I love boobs. They are beautiful, useful, sexual and non-sexual, soft and they come in all kinds of shapes, sizes and colors. They can attract your man, which gives you the baby, and then sustain that life FOR FREE with them. What is not to love?

I see massive campaigns for Breast Cancer research support and can't help but wonder why we are more wrapped up in finding a cure than finding a prevention. My theory on why the Breast Cancer Associations doesn't heavily promote nursing is because of how profitable "the cure" has become. Does that make it right? No. I think if we put an iota of the energy and money we put into breast cancer "research" into promoting and supporting breastfeeding, our rates of this terrible disease would begin to drop dramatically. But, where is the profit in that?! So sick. We truly need to re-examine this way of thinking.

No one said breastfeeding is always easy. It's a learning curve - and sometimes there are major road blocks. But, once past those, it is one of the most rewarding and beneficial things you can do for you and your child. I've heard stories from mothers who have endured the most painful, crazy hard experiences with breastfeeding - but the strength they found in enduring this for the sake of themselves and their babies is incredible. Once on the other side - which for some of these mothers took months to even years - the feeling of accomplishment and triumph are always in her eyes.

They could have easily given up, and not many people would have blamed them. As a matter of fact, MANY of them are encouraged to quit by their friends, family and even health care professionals who don't see the point in trying so hard when the formula and bottle "solution" is RIGHT THERE. But, these women, they just won't quit. The ones who make it often find or have a strong support system. Whether it is a friend, family member, a support group or even the internet. Something keeps her going because she knows exactly how "worth it" that milk is for her and her baby.

When I talk to clients about breastfeeding, I often tell them it is like the second part of the labor - and then after you get it, the breastfeeding journey is an extension of her pregnancy. We share our bodies with our babies to grow them, and then we continue to share our bodies from the outside to keep growing them. We are mammals. That's how it is supposed to go.

I hear a lot of formula feeding moms get upset or offended when there are events or things that talk about how great breastfeeding is. Something needs to be addressed about this - Number one - it IS that great. If you can do it (and with the right support and information, you more than likely can), it is one of the greatest things you can do for yourself and your child. Number two - just because YOU didn't do it, doesn't mean it isn't as awesome as we say it is. Number three - I've NEVER EVER heard of a mother being thrown out of, or made to feel uncomfortable in an establishment for bottle feeding her baby.

This is something that we have to actually fight for our right to do, which in my opinion, is completely ridiculous. So, when we have breastfeeding events like the recent Milk For Thought "Latch On America" tour bus, or tomorrow's Big Latch On events, it IS important and should be valued by all. No one is saying what choices YOU make/made for YOUR baby(s) is right or wrong by holding events like this - the point is not to alienate, but to unite and gain a bigger understanding for breastfeeding and what it really means to do it. This is about supporting the women who do choose to do it - because let's face it, breastfeeding moms need more support - and DESERVE it. Even from the formula feeding community.

Whether you formula or breastfed, we've got to get the conversation going and find our common ground. The one thing we almost all have in common is that we want to make the best decisions for our families. For some, that means breastfeeding, for others - it is alternatives. No one needs to judge or get offended - instead, let's try to understand what this is really all about. Supporting and empowering moms.

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