Reese

But the reason I am posting is to say that he was in daycare for months 3-6 and I worked fulltime. He never had formula, because it’s so easy to pump. As long as you have a good pump like a Medela PIS, supply does not drop. It made me feel good to pump my milk for him when I couldn’t be with him. And let me just say that when most of the kids in his daycare had green boogies (which was ALL the time), my son only had a few sniffles. The antibodies in my milk gave him a huge advantage over the f fed kids.

I remember before I had kids, that I had all kinds of specific ideas about what I would and wouldn’t do and while it’s good to give things thought, a lot of it changes once you actually have a baby. I have found that it’s not restricting, rather one of the most empowering things I’ve done as a woman, super-easy in that it’s all portable, no clean-up. Please try it before you write it off. And I highly recommend the books and resources mentioned above.

Thank you for letting me share my two cents.

Reese

We found, though, that it was much easier for one of us to stay home while the other worked, and to deal creatively with the limitations of a lack of income.

I am aware that I have a good deal of privilege over someone who must use daycare, but my point is that you CAN breastfeed and work. You CAN breastfeed and use daycare. AND ALSO that there are more choices and options than the media and ad industry want you to believe. It’s the formula companies and their ad campaigns that want you to feel restricted by your children and your breastfeeding. They want to restrict you for money. Any restrictions that come from your children have a much higher return for you personally.

I suggest that you take a look at http://www.promom.org. There is a list entitled 101 Reasons to Breastfeed. There is also an excellent book called Milk, Money and Madness: THe Culture and POlitics of Breastfeeding which is very informative.

With something as important as breastfeeding it’s essential to be fully informed before you choose not to do it, and before you buy into and propagate the misinformation and misunderstandings surrounding such a vital, joyful, natural part of parenting.

Choosing between breastmilk and formula is not a decision to be made lightly. It is a decision that has many ramifications for baby and mother and society! Formula is great for the women and babies who really need it, but not wanting to BF just because you don’t want to be restricted? Not a very convincing reason in my book.

By the way, I have been lactating for almost four years now. My two kids stay at home (daycare costs money, too). I was enrolled in grad school when my first was born. I was a midwife’s apprentice for a year. We have traveled extensively. We don’t have much money. I don’t feel restricted. Breastfed babies are extremely portable.

Oh yeah, and if we’re gonna talk money – breastfed babies are generally healthier than formula fed babies. Fewer incidences of diarrhea, ear infections, allergies… Fewer illnesses mean fewer doctor’s bill.

NOthing personal, just don’t slam BF till you know more about it! KWIM?

Rachel