The Imperfect Community

[Petulant Pixie]

LMAO, was that me??? I mean, you DID call me and moan about hating breastfeeding, I remember that conversation!

I think that we (as moms) do want "permission" to quit, or at least a really damn good excuse to lay at people's feet when it doesn't work out. It was really really hard this last time with Liz to just flat out admit that *I* wasn't willing to do (whatever that was) what was needed to do to make breastfeeding work. That I knew KNEW other mothers worked harder, persevered stronger and were either able to work it out or quit knowing they exhausted every route, but that I gave up right away because I was too tired and dizzy after the c-section and couldn't deal with listening to her cry and cry with no comfort and keep having her just brought to my breast to cry some more. I admit it, but man, it was a lot easier to blame the hospital for not having good enough staff, or blame my parents for not being here to help with the older kids or whatever...blame anyone else, PLEASE!

[Jessica]

[Sewingsiren]

I hope no one minds I am jumping in late and addressing the original post .
Firstly the whole IQ thing never impressed me (I just don't see how it could be proved one way or the other) and had nothing to do why I breastfed my kids. But getting down to the nitty gritty, of the whole "Breastfeeding Culture", I tell you why *I* think it sprung up.
For several generations virtually no American women breast fed. I never knew anyone who breast fed until my sister had her first child in 1985, I don't even think I knew that people could do that until I was in my teens! Anyhoo, back when some of the benefits of breast milk were being discovered. A culture sprung up to help women who had no support or knowledge of how to breast feed. A lot of women faced family, friends, and work colleges who insisted formula was scientific and better for babies. Although I have never really been part of a group that promotes breastfeeding or sought support from one (an outsider among insiders ).I *think* part of the *empowerment* of breastfeeding is the reclaiming of a lost art. I don't think our great grandmothers felt empowered, I certainly haven't either. I do sincerely believe that their aim is to help mothers and infants, not to make women feel bad or inferior. Of course their are a few crazies.
The first time I ever encountered any of them was on that other debate board and I found myself repulsed by some of the arguments that were made for *my* side . The only dog I have ever had in the whole breast vs. bottle debate is when someone claims that a woman who is nursing is showing off, or not considerate of other peoples feelings , or suffering from entitlement psychosis or some shit like that.
I do think that the formulas of today are vastly improved, partly because of the discoveries regarding the contents of breast milk.
I never really thought that formula feeding looked all that easy, I mean it doesn't look like any easy way out. I wish that it didn't cause so much angst amongst women.Bottom line the percentage of women who exclusively breast feed is so very small that I do not see how formula could ever have a stigma.
What is the percentage of women who breast feed exclusively? It's pretty small,no?

PS I don't know how most the women I know fed their babies and I don't think they know how I fed mine either (unless they saw one of my many brazen public displays ).