Feeding - continued

A woman I work with gave me this sketch several years ago. Where exactly does one put such a picture? I think I'll give it to La Leche league for their office or maybe I'll send it to my sister Ann :) I've kept it in the closet waiting to give it to just the right person. Any takers? I think it illustrates an important point about breastfeeding. It's a deeply personal choice and each mother has to make her own decision of how to feed her infant. This is a choice that didn't even exist 150 years ago. Wikipedia notes that "The first preparations for the feeding of infants were produced commercially in 1867 by Justus von Liebig. Today, most infant formulas are based on either cow milk or soy milk." This goes without saying, but I think it's an important point - throughout the course of human history, babies were breastfed. It is the natural way of things. Whether God or man introduced formula into the feeding options in unknown, but it is a relatively new development.
This decision is one on the list of many that fuel the "mommy wars." To breastfeed or not, to use pain killer drugs during labor and delivery or not, to make your own home made smashed up baby food or not just to name a few. It seems that the most hotly contested one of them all is to work or not to work after children are born (this could be a post for another day). It seems like it's a woman's version of a "jock off" that men play when they compete in sports or decide who's car is cooler or who is stronger or more macho. The point is that everyone wants their choice to be the best, the coolest, the more progressive right way. And in deciding to breastfeed or not, as far as I'm concerned, there is no wrong and right way, but there could possibly be a perfectly good way and an even better way.
Most women probably get some input from their husbands, but it ultimately it comes down to the mother deciding what she wants to do. I think this is part of the reason people have such strong feelings on both sides of the issue. They don't want to feel that their choice is wrong or inferior to another choice. Most Woman want to feel good about the way they feed their baby. They instinctively want to be good mothers. Most probably want to do what is in the best interest of their child, taking into consideration other external considerations such as returning to work, how many other children need care, sleep needs etc., etc. I just believe that a nursing mom sacrifices much more of herself to feed her baby and I admire that in those who do.
There are obvious cons. Some were brought up in the comments from the last post which I appreciated. Here is what I extrapolate from your comments:
* It's embarrassing and uncomfortable to do and to see for some
* It's a mother thing and men are glad they don't have to directly participate
* Breastfeeding in many, many other countries is seen as completely natural and the women (and men as far as I could tell) have no embarrassment about it. I witnessed this in Argentina as well. Woman had complete confidence and ease in feeding their children, anywhere, anytime. The natives didn't think anything of it, but the poor Americans were traumatized because they weren't used to it. The "civilized" USA views the human female breast much more as a sex object than as a feeding tool.
* Some people tend to fixate on the weird and sensationalize the extremes when talking about breastfeeding and "You Tube" and other avenues help spread the strangeness when mostly it's just a normal, natural way to feed a baby for about a year. Beyond that it can get very strange.
* Nursing ties the mother down - no question about that - however I've seen several moms be innovative in using their time doing two things at once while nursing - such a reading for themselves or to a younger child, or watching TV which they would probably be doing anyway. No doubt that dads who have a nursing wife need to help out more and the ones I've seen do just that.
* Sleep issues are tough. Both feeding a bottle and nursing require someone to get up and take care of the baby. That job can be shared when the baby is being bottle fed. Let the fathers feel the pain as well and involve other children in feeding. This isn't possible with nursing babies, but dads can pick up the slack in other ways.
There are also obvious pros.
* It doesn't cost anything. Buying formula is very expensive.
* It's always handy and ready to go. No bottles, preparation or running out of things or losing the bottle.
* and this from the experts:

"Infant formula is necessarily an imperfect approximation of breast milk because:

• The exact chemical properties of breast milk are still unknown.^[4]
• A mother's breast milk changes in response to the feeding habits of her baby and over time, thus adjusting to the infant's individual growth and development.^[5]
• Breast milk includes a mother's antibodies that help the baby avoid or fight off infections and give his immature immune system the benefit of his mother's immune system that has many years of experience with the germs common in their environment.

However, it is now universally recognized that there is no commercial formula that can equal breast milk. In addition to the appropriate amounts of carbohydrate, protein and fat, breast milk also provides vitamins, minerals, digestive enzymes and hormones - all of the things that a growing infant will require. Breast milk also contains antibodies and lymphocytes from the mother that help the baby resist infections. The immune function of breast milk is individualized, as the mother, through her touching and taking care of the baby, comes into contact with pathogens that colonize the baby and consequently her body makes the appropriate antibodies and immune cells. This is a process that obviously cannot be replicated on an industrial basis."

I'm interested now to know if there is more research on the topic of the advantages of breast milk to a child's overall health and well being throughout their entire life. Humm, this would be a good research project.
I think the issue of bonding of mother and child can be achieved through either feeding method. Mothers who nurse or bottle feed can both feel strong bonds with their child. This is where the guilt trip comes in because both types of mothers don't want to be accused of not doing all they can to bond with their baby. It usually comes down to - My way is better than your way- which causes all the guilt. Nursing moms are sometimes made to feel bad about their choice from the outspoken bottles feeders who are grossed out by breastfeeding and the bottle feeders sometimes feel guilty because of the strong voices from those who choose to nurse. As a hypothetical question: Why can't we as women all just be friends and support each other in either method? (Remember Rodney King - why can't we all just get along?)
As I stated before, I believe the choice is deeply personal and in an ideal world, no one would be harshly judged one way or the other. I think each woman should study all the information, consider her circumstances and personal needs, get input from her husband who needs to be supportive either way, and then make a decision. Which way is best for you and your baby? YOU decide.