(well, except the aftermath)
If I asked you to picture breasts, what would you think of? Some hot young thing? A page three stunner? Perhaps one of those overly erotic dance videos? What ever it is I doubt it has anything to do with their function.
Babies!
They are for babies (well, duh!). Like the udders of all other animals they were placed upon us to feed our young. Just how did it all go so wrong?
For millennia the breast knew its purpose and was respected for it. If you walk into most churches you will be greeted by the sight of the Virgin Mary with the baby Jesus at her breast. A beautiful, sweet and most natural thing. How has it got so twisted?
Less than a month having giving birth I had my first challenger to breastfeeding. For some reason many women seem to find it an insult to their own choices and feel it's their right to criticise and comment. I know that I am very lucky to be able to breastfeed, not everyone is. Some people choose not to. Many people have many different reasons for this. It is a personal decision.
But, whether you choose to breastfeed or not the evidence is now insurmountable.
Breast is best.
But that still doesn't give me the right to tut, stare or make derogatory comments. So how is it that, in doing the best thing, the scientifically proven best thing for my baby I am on the receiving end? I would not dream of thrusting my views and opinions upon others and it frustrates and angers me when others do so. Being a parent is hard enough, beguiling enough and terrifying enough without having your choices questioned and challenged at every turn.
My breasts are not for sex. My breasts are not for staring at.
But do you know what? I don't care if you do stare. Balls to all the comments, the looks, the tuts. I know I am doing the right thing.
I love breastfeeding. I am proud to breastfeed. And I plan to carry on until my daughter is ready to stop.
(so there!)
Well, we’re still going almost 18 months on! And he sleeps in our bed. I’d rather he didn’t though, as he’s a fidgety pain! I’m just too tired now to battle with it! Interesting words Crystal x
ReplyDeleteThank you! Late at night it's just too tiring to fight it. Is he sleeping better now? Do you want to keep going? I'm reading a fab book called breastfeeding older children you are more than welcome to borrow should you fancy it... xx
ReplyDeleteI breastfed my three children for a long time too - (18-24 months). It's not particularly popular in France so let's just say it was frowned upon, for Dylan (my eldest) anyway. By the time Miles came along I just didn't care what anybody thought. Go for it!
ReplyDeleteYes, I’m happy to keep going really (I was breastfed for aaaages...until I was 4ish)!! The trouble is, he always uses his teeth now, so it’s not a particularly comfortable experience, and his sleeping had improved just before we left Devon (I’d managed to stop the breastfeeding at night, and he’s even slept through a couple of times), but with the move, it has been back to square one. So the nights are pretty awful, plus he’s up in the 5’s every day. Ho-hum! :)
ReplyDelete@Kerry It's not always easy is it? As much as I love it breastfeeding has been a real struggle at times. I suffer from an overactive let down which has made it a lot harder and Iris has an unfortunate habit of scratching at me whilst she feeds- my face is covered in scratches. I'm not looking forward to teeth being added to the mix! She's not a good sleeper either. She never really has been, it's very frustrating. I guess we can just wish, hope and pray that they get better! x
ReplyDelete@ Deborah Thank you! It's good to know that there are so many others out there doing it too. It doesn't matter how much we explain to people the benefits, some people just can't get past breasts. Our happy healthy, well attached children speak volumes that we never could! x
I completely agree with you, its so frustrating when people are so small minded to something that is so natural. I loved breastfeeding although it wasn't always easy, it made me feel wonderful and gave me a sense of purpose to be able to feed my child and know that i was giving her the very best at the start of her amazing little life.
ReplyDeleteIt still shocks me that out of all the other mothers i know im 1 of 4 that have breastfed there child.