Sorry I missed my Blog yesterday, was up at 5am and before I knew it, I was running late for a 10am appointment! I am sure this is nothing new to you. It is Friday and as it marks the end of the week, I thought I would do something lighter.
Yesterday, during the meeting I was holding, something became clear in my mind, and this is what I would like to share.
When you think about breastfeeding – not what others think but what you think in your heart – what do you think?
Do you think that
- Breastfeeding is important
- Breastfeeding has many health benefits for both you and your baby.
- Breastfeeding is difficult but you must persevere for both you and your baby’s sake
- Breastfeeding is painful
- Breastfeeding is (when being taught post delivery) harsh, forceful, overwhelming.
- Breastfeeding is a chore
- Breastfeeding is unnatural (but you dare not say anything like that out loud)
- Breastfeeding is an inconvenience
I don’t want to upset anyone, but when I cast back my mind to all my clients that I have seen, there is such a drive to breastfeed their babies, such determination, such passion to get it right and nurse for months – which is wonderful.
My question is whether the driving force behind all this is build on fear of failure or absolute love for their baby, probably a bit of both.
Many people think it is unusual for somebody like me to work with breastfeeding moms when I am not a midwife/nurse/doctor but the reason that I love working with breastfeeding moms, is that it encompasses everything that I feel is missing from our daily lives.
When I think about breastfeeding, I think of
- The undying love the mother has for her baby
- Commitment to work at it until it works and is enjoyable
- The softness of a mom embracing her tiny baby
- The femininity which so many of our youths lack
- The sacrifice mothers make to the benefit of their baby’s health (sore nipples, mastitis etc)
Breastfeeding should not be a politically driven, breastfeeding moms should not just be statistics, breastfeeding moms should not be man handled in hospitals or bullied in the community.
Breastfeeding moms encompass all that is missing from our society – they should be looked after and protected.
So moms please, when you meet people that want to stamp out the beautiful things about breastfeeding and fill your mind with fear and guilt, just walk away.
Remember that what you are doing is a great and good thing. It is everything wonderful and if you know how, it is pain free.
Yes, there are many benefits and reasons to breastfeed your baby, but have your own reasons for breastfeeding and you will see how much sweeter and enjoyable it will be.
Much love as always,
Geraldine
