To breastfeed or not to breastfeed, that is the question...

To breastfeed or not to breastfeed? Being that I have SIX friends/family members that are currently pregnant, this is a subject that has come up a lot lately. Some plan to try to nurse, and some don't. So, what's the answer? If you ask ME, I will ALWAYS say, and I BELIEVE, that it is the mother's choice. Period. Now, that being said, I also believe that it is important that whichever choice you make, it is important to be respectful to the opposite opinion.

Sooo, if it were that simple, it wouldn't be blog worthy, right? Unfortunately for both sides of the argument, it never does seem to be that simple. Even as a mother who has nursed two babies, I am careful to simply state what I said above...that "it is YOUR choice and you, as a mother, need to do what you feel most comfortable with". And, again, I say that not because it's what the person wants to hear, but because I BELIEVE it. I am always careful to leave the conversation at that because I know that every mother, as least the mothers that I'm usually having the conversations with, know "the facts". They've read the pros and cons and they are making their choice according to those facts and their personal comfort level. Which is what they SHOULD do, so...conversation over on my end. :)

Those who choose to breastfeed do so because they know it is recommended for their baby, they enjoy that form of bonding, and it gives some relief to the family finances. Those who don't breastfeed often don't because they have trouble with their babies nursing correctly from the beginning, they are uncomfortable with the physical idea of it, or it doesn't work well with their schedules.

So, in conclusion, do what's best for your baby and yourself. Just be careful, when discussing the subject, to remember to be respectful to the person who chooses differently than yourself. The non-nusing mother doesn't want to hear about how the Amercian Academy of Pediatrics strongly recommends it, and, on the flip-side, the nursing mother doesn't want to hear about how gross the non-nursing mother thinks it is. Bottom line, those comments are equally hurtful.

Happy, healthy pregnancies to all!