Quote From: mommyof5Saying that breastfeeding is a "choice" is like saying that it is a choice to have my body produce insulin. My body simply produces insulin, I would have to choose to not use it and force my body to stop producing it. Of course insulin can be replaced in those that have diabetes, but if you were physically capable of making it you would not force your body to stop making it just to then replace it with a manufactured version. It is the same with breastfeeding, the vast majority of those that bottle feed are physically capable of producing milk.
Again it would be like saying using your own insulin and testing your blood sugar then injecting yourself with insulin both have different advantages. 1.5 million babies die each year because they are not breastfed. Don't pretend they are at all equal. BTW, breastfeeding protects against diabetes.
I find it hard to believe that your non breastfed daughters breastfeed their dolls, to be honest with you. My daughters do also, but they are also influenced by our culture. You would be hard pressed to find a baby doll that does not come with a bottle, they are taught in school to bottlefeed and I didn't see Dora the Explorer's mom breastfeeding those new twins. If even my girls succomb to it in a family where all their relatives BF ( their aunt and I are currently BFing), we don't allow bottles in the house, we boycott Nestle, we own shelves of BFing books including kids books...
Education is key... but I will not lie to my daughters or sons and tell them bottlefeeding is a great option.
My youngest daughter doesn't watch Dora the Explorer. We know the character because of other children we know, but don't have a clue about what is on the program. Dora was non existent when my oldest daughter was younger. We don't watch much t.v in our home, as we prefer to read.
In our area, bottle feeding is not taught in school. In the junior high and high school courses, breastfeeding is encouraged and promoted. Personally, I believe that should be taught at home and not at school. It sounds like you are doing your job very well,as a mom, by teaching your standards and sticking to your convictions.
No one is asking you to lie to your children, but don't you think it is dishonest not to give them all the facts?
I know many women who have adopted babies. Many others I know have illnesses, or have had breast reductions, or mastectomies, and are unable to breastfeed. Some have fibroid tissue which inhibits milk production, some take medications which would be harmful to baby. There are many reasons that babies may not be able to BF or that mama's would not be able to offer that.
I prefer my children to know all the facts and to be able to make reasonable choices. I hope they will not feel pressured to do what they are not comfortable with, which ever choice they make. And absolutely, my daughters have tried to breastfeed their baby dolls. They have always seen my in laws breastfeeding, and it has been a curiosity for them. Not an issue here. I know that some think that is the only way to go, and some breastfeed for economic reasons.For some, it is about convenience, and some it is about laziness. Still other women are brought up believeing that they HAVE to breastfeed.Not all women breastfeed for the same reasons,and not all women bottlefeed for the same reasons.
And so far as facts are concerned. There are so many "studies" on breastfeeding,diabetes, SIDS,cancers...(for just a few examples) and each one will say something different. Just yesterday I read that the AMA has done a study that shows pacifiers decrease incidences of SIDS. I don't believe that, but they say "studies have proven that.."
I have worked in the childcare profession for many years, dealing with infants and toddlers.Not once have I had to deal with the experience of a baby dying due to being bottle fed. It has been my experience however, to see babies who were losing weight and dehydrated due to not getting enough milk from their mother's breast. These mama's have been totally devastated by this,since clearly they believed they were doing the best for their babies.
When it comes to diabetes being caused by bottle feeding, I certainly will never believe that. 4 out of 6 of my husbands family memebers are diabetics, and they were all breastfed.My family does not yet have any diabetics. According to other studies that have been done, diabeties has a genetic factor--runs in the family.
Breastfeeing was once said to prevent uterine cancers, now the current findings are that breastfeeding has nothing to do with uterine cancers.
So as you can see, I don't place any value on studies. Nor will I equate diabetes to the choice of how to feed a baby.
one quick question: do you allow your children to believe that santa brings them toys? what about the Easter bunny? These are both lies perpetrated by most well -intentioned parents in our society.
Thank you for sharing your view in a non threatening way and for holding to conviction.
Dr. Phil and his guests strike up heated conversations as they debate the latest hot topics. Should women give up their right to breastfeed their babies in public so other people don't feel uncomfortable? Will passing out condoms in schools prevent unwanted pregnancies or just send the message to kids that it's OK to have sex? And, is it acceptable for others to discipline your kids if they see them acting out in public, or should they just mind their own business? Dr. Phil weighs in on these controversial subjects. Share your thoughts, join the discussion.
