Get Your Boob Out... No Wait!

(As a pre-warning, this post does contain pictures of breastfeeding - these are not meant to offend anyone and are just being used to highlight the point and issue of this post!)

When Alyssa arrived 5 weeks early, I was seriously concerned about whether or not my milk would come in for her. I remember sitting there that first night, with only a picture of her to look at, massaging my boob with the Midwife there to help catch each precious drop that I managed to squeeze out. Two days later, I was able to start breastfeeding her and we haven't looked back since. During the first week of our stay in hospital, the only time I was able to hold my baby was when we were feeding - this time was so precious to me and just made me feel like mummy rather than the anxious person annoying the staff.

Now, when I was pregnant and post pregnancy, I have continually been asked "How do you feed your baby?" I have been asked this by friends, family, strangers, doctors, midwives, health visitors and when I have said I breastfeed, 99% of the time I get a smile and nod from them like "Ah yes well... breast is best!" This is a slogan I have heard over and over and over again. However, I consider myself LUCKY that I am able to breastfeed my baby and that it is enough for her. However, mum's the world over, for one reason or another are unable or choose not to breastfeed... guess what? That's OKAY too. At the end of the day, as long as the baby is fed, happy and loved and getting what they need, it is each parents own individual choice how they feed their baby.

(Image screenshot from Facebook)

I was quite upset to find the above article on Facebook the otherday, with a new marketing campaign for Breast in Best with these fruit style stickers on boobs. I mean come on?! We have enough pressure on us as parents as it is to always do the right thing.... but this? This genuinely looks designed to make woman who can't or choose not to breastfeed feel bad. When I left hospital, breastfeeding, I was given a bottle of vitamins that I was to give my daughter a syringe full of every day. I would like to point out, that had I left the hospital bottle feeding her, I would not have been given these vitamins... something to think about! Breast is best for me and my little one, but that is not the same for every mum and baby.

(Image screenshot from Facebook)

As I have said, the number of times I have heard "Breast is Best" throughout and post-pregnancy is actually insane. I can see both sides and understand why it is promoted but at the same time I don't think we should be putting a downer on parents who feel the baby is better off on bottled milk. I was lucky enough that I am able to breastfeed, and there is nothing I enjoy more, than cosying up with bubba and letting her snuggle down for a bit of boob...at home. Going out...?! That is a whole other story.

(Image screenshot from Facebook)

Despite the fact that "Breast is Best" is written everywhere and practically rammed down our throats, how many women actually feel comfortable breastfeeding in public?! I have to say, that mostly I do not. I would rather go and sit in my car, or on the odd occasion find a mother and baby room, than feed in a public place. Why? Have you seen the abuse and horrendous way breastfeeding mums are being treated?! They are told to stop, go somewhere more private, go and sit on a toilet and a myriad of other things because the sight of their breast is offending someone else.... wow! The stories I read across social media platforms and even now on the news just saddens me. You may not approve, or even like the idea of breastfeeding, but making someone feel bad, insecure or uncomfortable with a lifestyle choice they have made for their child? No, No and NO! This is not right. If I ever feed in public, I generally make sure I am tucked out of the way and not in plain sight of a lot of people and actually drape a muslin over myself to reduce exposure. Therefore, in total you probably see about a fingers worth of breast skin during feeding. Most women that I have seen and spoken to cover up, so what may I ask is the big deal?!

(Image screenshot from Facebook)

This person has the right idea... and I have to say that I am happy to finally see people standing up for a baby's right to eat in public. You could be damn sure people would complain more if the baby was screaming it's head off with hunger or would people jump straight to labelling that as child abuse? It basically seems to me, that we as parents can't win no matter what we do in the eyes of some. If we breastfeed, we are subject to abuse and ridicule for exposure. Then, to add final insult to injury, we are now facing bans and removals from social media websites, for sharing pictures of our babies enjoying the "ever important" au naturale method of feeding!! If we bottle feed, we are subjected to know it all comments about the "lack of effort made to breastfeed" and a never ending campaign of media and people telling us we are wrong to not be "all natural!" Where does it end? Parents, new and experienced, have enough worries, guilt and pressure that they put on themselves with the help of society in general. So don't you think that we deserve a little slack??

So whether you are a mummy that chooses to breastfeed or a mummy and daddy combo that choose to bottle feed, whichever decision you have made, know that it was the right decision for you. As long as your baby is loved, happy and healthy that is all that matters. Pay no attention to the haters. I have been twitching to write about this for a while and those stickers were the last straw for me this week. So how do you feel? Are you a boob or a bottle? Either way, you are doing a great job as a parent... YOU ROCK!!

#life #mum #food #blog