We are told all the time that breast if best for our babies. Its flashed in our faces at ever antennal appointment or doctors appointment while we are pregnant. Its talked about on social media and we can not even get away from the topic when we are watching tv. We know that breastfeeding it the “better option” for a babies.
Unfortunately breastfeeding is something that is not always possible for some mother. And that is ok. Other times our body’s just wont do it and that’s ok. And sometime it is just not our thing for us or the baby. At the end of the day as long as the baby is feed then it really shouldn’t matter to anyone else how it is done.
It can be a touch subject to talk about. But here is a small list of:
When It Is Ok Not To Breastfeed.
1 ~ Medication
Some women may need to be proscribed certain medications that can easily passed through their breast milk to their baby. The mother may have been able to get through pregnancy on either a lower dose or even not taking it all. There is no shame to put your own health and well-being before the baby when the baby is born. Your baby will be much happier with a mother who is putting their health first and being formula feed, then having a mother who is unwell due to not talking their medications and breastfeed.
2 ~ It is not possible physically
It can be very upsetting for a mother to give birth to their baby. Hoping to do what we are told to be “the right start” for the baby only to find out it is not physically possible. They just don’t know until they try. Not being able to physically breastfeed doesn’t make a mother a failure.
3 ~ It is emotionally impossible
Having the right frame of mind is very important when it comes to successful breastfeed. For some women they find that they are just not able to breastfeed due to their emotional and mental state. Whether it is traumatic past or a battle with depression or anxiety, breastfeed can make a mothers unstable emotional state worse. Sometimes it is healthier for both the mother and baby not to breastfeed.
4 ~ Mothers Cant do it exclusively
As mums we can get busy really quickly. we have so many obligations pulling us in so many different directions, it can be hard to find time to just sit down and relax. When your breastfeeding only you can do it and you can’t ask anyone to take over. Without the right support women can find themselves struggling to get everything they need done while they are breastfeeding. While some women can breastfeed easily, others just find it so much easier while breastfeeding to express and bottle feed their breast milk. Making the choice to not exclusively breastfeed is perfectly fine.
5 ~ There are health problems with the baby
Allergies are never nice but when a baby has milk protein allergies it is impossible to breastfeed. Even having a premature baby result in the baby not being able to breastfeed. When either of these happen we do have to be thankful that the formula available is at a high standard and able to replace breast milk. Nobody wants their baby to be born with health issues but it does happen and it can prevent a mother who wants to breastfeed from doing so.
6 ~ Mothers don’t have the right support
Breastfeeding is a very time consuming and emotional journey, and while some mothers get the hang of things very easily or mothers may find themselves struggling. The support system around is an important key to breastfeeding and having access to a Lactation Consultant can help a lot. Some mothers don’t have the right support or access to the services they need. When this happens bottle feeding is a good option to fall back on and these mothers should be supported in making a choice to feed their baby no matter what it is.
7 ~ It just isn’t right for you
Breastfeeding is a very time consuming and repetitive task. At times it can feel as is all your life is revolving around breastfeeding your baby. Some women don’t like not knowing how much their baby is consuming per feed or how breastfeeding feels. It might not even fit into their busy lifestyle and that’s ok if it’s not right for them. Choosing how to feed their baby should be a personal choice and not up for public debate.
8 ~ It is your choice
When we get right down to it, choosing how to feed your baby is a personal choice. Breast isn’t always best and what works for some women doesn’t work for others. No one should ever make you feel inferior for how you choose to feed your baby. Your not being selfish for bottle feeding. Your not a bad mum or a failure if you decide to stop breastfeeding. It is a personal choice only you can make and it is nobodies business but your own.
It is important for mothers to remember that how they chose to feed their baby is their choice. They should not be made to feel as if they are judge or to feel guilty if they choose not to exclusively breastfeed. The Slogan “Breast is Best” needs to take more of a background when it comes to choosing how to feed our babies. The focus need to be on making sure we are caring for our babies to keep them healthy. Mothers should not feel like failures if can’t breastfeed or chose to bottle feed or mix feed their babies. They should be supported not matter what their choice.
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