Breastfeeding.
First, my story: I was not breast fed. My two baby friends that were born within the same month as me were. I was only sick once as a baby and maybe once a year as a child. They were sick A LOT. Coughing, runny noses, fever etc. I was also always a healthy baby weight. They were chunkers. I've always been super close to my mom. Last I knew, neither of them spoke to theirs very much, if at all. They certainly weren't the "favorite child" in their households.
"But Cheyenne, are you saying that everything we've been taught about breastfeeding is wrong? That it doesn't help the baby's immune system and weight and 'bonding' with the mother and all that good stuff?"
Nope, not saying that. I'm sure it's all great. I'm simply saying let's stop glamorizing breast milk so much and being so negative about formula. It's all good. The fact of the matter is simple - my mom kept me clean, fed, and dry. She didn't just stick a bottle in my mouth (or shove a breast in my face) - she rotated diluted juice and milk, made sure I got plenty of sleep...held me often and played with me often. I was always clean and dressed for the environment.
My two baby friends weren't. I can look at baby pictures of us and plainly see that was the case......
It's a matter of parenting, not just milk.
Wasn't I so cute!?!
I worked on the post-partum floor for over two years. I heard wonderful things about breast milk every day and negative things about formula all the time. I know that's how God intended it. Even after that, my decision stands: should I every conceive, I will not breast feed. I may pump, but I doubt it. My reasons are my own, but please, keep your judgement to yourself. Examine your own life, not mine. Thanks.
But on to the reason I decided to write this....
I've seen a ton of pro-breastfeeding posts on Facebook thanks to "world breastfeeding week" or whatever.
Most of them are over women being "shamed" for feeding in public. I think I enjoy the media spin on it all more than the actual story, because roughly 90% of the media warps everything!
Look, I'm all for you doing what you want for your baby. Do it! Hell, do it in public - but cover yourself up. I think women who don't honestly just want attention and that's pathetic. Yes, you have the right to breast feed whenever needed and I have the right to not have to see your boob. I see enough at work, I don't need to see it when I go to the grocery story. You have rights and so do I...and so do kids and their parents who don't want to have that conversation of "what is that lady doing?"....it's common sense to use a cover-up and everybody wins. If you don't have a cover up, go to the damn restroom. Or maybe consider pumping at home so that when you are out, you can bottle feed and let it all hang out at home!
I don't apologize if I offended anyone because it's my blog and my opinions. I will say, as a disclaimer, I am in quite the mood today and I know better than to write rants when I'm like this....but I digress.
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