My Personal Philosophy on Breastfeeding

Even before I tell you about myself and my breastfeeding experiences, which I’ll do in a later blog, I want to clearly state my personal philosophy on breastfeeding. I want to make sure that people know exactly where I am coming from. If you disagree with my opinions in this blog, that’s fine – they’re only opinions. But please make sure that you first understand exactly what I am and am not advocating.

I personally believe that breastfeeding is extremely beneficial for babies, and should be the preferred method of feeding your baby WHERE POSSIBLE. And this is where I differ from many other people. There are circumstances where it is simply not possible to breastfeed your baby, whether because of difficulties with the actual breastfeeding process itself, problems you may be having with your baby, or through circumstances in your life at the time.

I am a mother, and I believe that nothing is more important than the relationship you have with your own child. I know everyone has their passionate opinions in the Great Breastfeeding Debate, and that’s fine. I have my own passionate opinions. But I believe that all mothers should be respected REGARDLESS of how they feed their baby. Whether you solely breastfeed, whether you combine breastmilk and formula, or whether you fully formula-feed, is not something that you should be judged by or on. I believe that nobody should be made to feel guilty about feeding their baby formula in circumstances where breastfeeding is just not possible. A beautiful baby has been brought into this world, and that should be treasured regardless of the way that baby is being fed.

So I am NOT, repeat NOT, making judgments or trying to tell you that you should breastfeed or else be a failure as a mother. I do NOT think you are a failure if you are unable to breastfeed. I am NOT going to push the “breast is best” position in circumstances where breastfeeding may actually not be best for you or your child. And if circumstances force you not to breastfeed your baby (maybe you have to take medications, for example), I am NOT going to suggest that you are being selfish and harming your baby at the expense of her health.

I am NOT, however, advocating formula-feeding if you haven’t given breastfeeding a real go. That’s a really important point! I do NOT support mothers who decide to feed their babies formula right from the start, simply because they think it is convenient (though going back to work is a tricky situation, which I’ll deal with in a later blog), or trendy, or cool.

My personal philosophy is this:

All mothers should attempt to breastfeed their child. Get advice on what you are doing, find someone to show you the proper techniques, do all you can to give your baby the benefit of breast milk. If you find breastfeeding works for you, that’s wonderful. It will lead to some immensely worthwhile and rewarding experiences as a mother. But if you find you can’t breastfeed, if something goes wrong, if things aren’t working for you and/or your child, you are not a failure. You shouldn’t feel guilty. You shouldn’t let other people MAKE you feel guilty. What is important is the love you give your child. What is important is that your child has enough nourishment, whether from breastmilk or formula or a mixture of both. What is important is that you treasure your new baby and do all you can to make the experience a joy for you both. You also will have immensely worthwhile and rewarding experiences as a mother. Whether you breastfeed or bottle-feed, you are worthy of support as a mother, a parent, a woman.