Breast is Best?

I'm going to jump on the internet bandwagon and respond in my own fashion to the Time cover that's sending sounds of disquiet through the country.

The main problem with this cover isn't that there's a woman breastfeeding, or (personal feelings aside) even that she's breastfeeding a three-nearly-four-year old-- it's that the picture is staged to be deliberately provocative. Both of them are posed, looking in to the camera, she's dressed in skinny jeans and a tank top... the whole thing is just... eye roll-y.

I'm not going to pass judgement on attachment parenting; though there are a few universal truths to raising a child, you have to find what's right for your family and roll with it. I also don't have a problem with breastfeeding in public-- people need to get over boobs.

The biggest thing that this raises for me is something Guerilla Mom wrote about today in a punny post. There isn't enough education surrounding breastfeeding. Nature schmature, breastfeeding is hard! I've seen friends struggle with it, even from baby to baby, because every baby is different. Not to mention, someone's got it in their heads that since milk is something all women produce, it shouldn't be covered by food stamps! (in GA, at least, where it used to be covered about 10 years ago)

 My mother, who worked in women's health for years, had a lot of trouble with me. After getting me home, I wouldn't feed and she stopped producing. We ended up in the ER where they got me willing to eat and her able to produce.

Ladies, yes, breastfeeding is optimal for your baby but don't be ashamed of your inability to get started or even to complete-- there's a reason wet nurse was a pretty big profession back in the day. Don't be afraid to ask your doula or doctor because they are there to help. When you're touring your birthing center, ask about whether they have lactation specialists on staff, and if they don't then talk to your doctor or doula for a referral (if one of them doesn't already have the skills necessary) so that you're ahead of the game.

I realize that I'm fortunate-- I already know where I'm going to have the baby we haven't even conceived yet, and that hospital has top notch lactation specialists who are stuck to you like glue until you leave and then request follow up appointments over the first three to six months to be sure that everything is going smoothly. It's one of the reasons I chose my current OBGYN, because she has access to this particular hospital and they have the lactation consultants, flexibility with birthing plans, and all those other great crossovers from birthing centers.

Also, they serve french toast and tell you you're pretty. Who doesn't like french toast and flattery?