In recent months, there’s been lots of talk around the issue of breastfeeding:
First, Mother & Baby’s deputy editor Kathryn Blundell shocked many mothers with her confession that she’s pro-formula. In her article she admits that breastfeeding is “creepy” and claims that she made the move from breast feeding to formula because “I wanted my body back. (And some wine)… I also wanted give my boobs at least a chance to stay on my chest rather than dangling around my stomach.” She goes on to say that her breasts aren’t just breasts – they are her very own “fun bags” and part of her sexuality. “Seeing your teeny, tiny, innocent baby latching on where only a lover has been before feels, well, a little creepy.”
Then, Kim Kardasian slammed women everywhere for breastfeeding in public with this tweet: “EWW I’m at lunch, the woman at the table next 2 me is breast feeding her baby w no coverup,” and last week, we posted about Gisele Bundchen strongly defending breast feeding.
So what’s the deal? As I get older I find more and more women have begun to feed their baby in front of me sans cover-up and I’d have to agree – public breastfeeding is just.. uncomfortable. I mean, I feel uncomfortable when a woman wears a slightly see through shirt, never mind when she’s popped out her “fun bags” for the world to see. You can’t condemn Paris Hilton for sunbathing naked on a boat in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean and then let loose at your local restaurant. Do I say anything? Of course not – instead I divert my eyes to everything, carry on the conversation, and hope to God the kid isn’t that hungry…
And while there are of course tremendous advantages to breastfeeding your child, to formula feed should not be condemned. In fact, I am happy to say that I was formula fed –
Did I score lower on IQ tests because of it? Most likely.
Did it affect where I am today? Doubt it.
Am I obese because my mother formula fed me? No.
Do I feel like I lack the necessary bond I needed from my mother at birth? Definitely No.
So why feel guilty for it?
While I don’t have a child of my own yet, and have not made the decision myself as to whether or not I would breastfeed – I doubt the hissing and spitting of other mothers in my circle would deter my choice in anyway – and they shouldn’t for you either.
Cheers to Kathryn Blundell and Kim Kardasian for announcing their opinion on such a public forum without fear of what other women would say. Shouldn’t attention be spent less on how to feed to your child and more on whether or not you are?
Thoughts?
Do you think breastfeeding is creepy? Have you ever experienced another mother’s wrath over your decision to formula feed?
