So my son is going to be fat and stupid because I am physically unable to breastfeed? That sure is something that a hormonal new mom wants to hear when they find out they cannot breastfeed for one reason or another. Boy I sure am abusing my child and ruining his future by not breastfeeding. I should be ashamed of myself. Dont pay attention to the crack addicted mom in the corner… breastfeeding.

and child care.. oh my lord. Seriously. I cant afford it, I cant afford to not have it. You cant get in because all the spaces are filled and so you are on a “waiting list” .. “Sorry boss, I have to bring the baby to work because I’m on the waiting list for 15 day care options and I’m waiting to hear”

I’m pretty bitter today… dont mind me.

I love it.

*goes giggling back to work*

While I was home with him, he nursed exclusively (occasional pumped breastmilk bottles), but since I’ve been back to work, my pumping doesn’t quite keep up with his eating. On work days, he eats an average of 2-4 oz of formula.

Another thing that would be incredibly helpful is if lactation consultants were available for free or for a modest co-pay type fee per consultation.

The LC office at the hospital where I delivered doesn’t charge for any of its services, and I had no idea how unusual that is.

They support their work by selling pumps, nursing bras (they have a certified fitter) and other BF supporting gear, and they charge a modest fee for their monthly BF class.

The class, BTW, was awesomely helpful! There was too much chemistry and “why you should BF” info — why would you be in the class if you weren’t planning to BF? But the technique info, learning that I couldn’t suffocate the baby with my breast, and the info on the size of newborn/young babies stomachs was useful and reassuring.

My pump was a very generous gift (Thanks, Erin!) from a done-having-babies Mom, but I bought the replacement parts, nursing bras, and those awesome soothing gel nipple pads from the LC office.

There are so many women who want to nurse but panic when the baby doesn’t latch at first or their milk doesn’t come in as soon as they think it should (or perhaps as soon as it should, period). Just having had a baby is so disorienting, and then women are expected to just be able to get the hang of breastfeeding right away, not a simple task for so many people I’ve known. So what I’m saying is that on top of the lack of education that “breast is best”, funding, and willingness needed from the government and general public to effectively support breastfeeding, there is also an illusion that breastfeeding should be easy, that it is “feminine” and “natural” and “beautiful”. When it is hard because it hurts like hell, causes bleeding and cracking, requires shields, and just plain sucks, even the most enthusiastic of new mothers can give up because they think something is freakishly wrong with them. The article did not say much about publicly acknowledging the fact that it often is not simple and easy, nor did it say that as a part of this campaign more lac. consultants would be available post-birth and follow-up home visits would be offered.

And that makes me mad. The end.