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Of course we all have different experiences. My pump + freezer bags/bottles came out to about $300. Add a boppy and some lanolin, and breastfeeding was still a heck of a lot cheaper for us. Especially since my son had food sensitivities and would have required one of the special formulas. I didn't have to negotiate anything at work - they're required to allow employees bathroom and luch breaks, so I just pumped then.
Being a parent doesn't have to be an expensive thing. The "natural" or "attachment" styles are especially cheap - breastfeeding, child-led weaning, babywearing (you can make your own sling for cheap), and sleep sharing. Makes me wonder sometimes why there is such a push for bottles/formula, strollers, cribs, baby foods, pacifiers ..... and who is behind it.
posted by : Manda on 7/7/2008 at 1:12 AM Flag For Abuse
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We had to shell out dough for a breast pump, but other than that nusring has been low-cost. We don't qualify for WIC, so if I had to buy formula every month, it would be a financial hit. I have to work, so I do pump milk during the day (which is a legally protected right in my state). I could see where some people would get really crazy with breastfeeding related expenses, but it's been cheap for us and the other breastfeeding families we know. My friends who use formula are constantly complaining about the cost, even with all the coupons and free samples that come in the mail.
posted by : ShaLO on 7/7/2008 at 8:12 AM Flag For Abuse
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I have to agree that the small outlay for breastfeeding was extremely cheap compared with what formula would have cost. I bought a few bottles and the Avent Isis pump (since it's not electric, it's very affordable and it worked very well). I didn't use a boppy or any nursing clothing. I propped up my baby with standard bed pillows and wore stretchy bras that I could pull up from the bottom. I never needed the help of a lactation consultant, I just referred to a borrowed copy of "The Womanly Art of Breastfeeding" and figured it out myself. But had I needed outside help, the La Leche League gives it for free. WIC also offers free breastfeeding assistance for women who qualify. I think the fact that breastfeeding rates are higher for women in higher income brackets has more to do with higher education levels than the fact they can better afford the nursing tops, pumps, consultants, etc.
posted by : anonymous2 on 7/7/2008 at 9:41 AM Flag For Abuse
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Breastfeeding was very cheap for me, I bought a medela manual pump and it came with bottles for storing the milk and then we got this nursing pillow thing that I never used. As far as working goes I live in Canada so I got 50 weeks off with a percentage of my salary so that was never an issue.
If I had used formula it would have cost me a whole lot more.
My baby is almost 13 months now and I still breastfeed and he has never had any formula. I was very lucky to have great milk supply so I could always pump and save for the times I couldn't be with him.
posted by : JustLia on 7/7/2008 at 10:02 AM Flag For Abuse
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Well I'm definitely falling in the middle category for breastfeeding expenses. I have not had an easy time with feeding the wee babe by myself. She has a small mouth and a bit of a week suck and I don't have a huge capacity in addition to having some issues with supply. But I've bartered graphic design work for the services of a breastfeeding consultant. We still need to supplement with formula after every feeding. A kind, local mom gave my some of her frozen breastmilk that was destined for an Ohio milk bank, so that held off the formula for almost a month. We've tried 3 kinds of bottles, so that was some more money. I bought a pump but don't use it often.
If I'd let me babe wean as she started too a couple weeks ago, we'd be tearing through the formula, so I'm pretty happy with the costs vs. benefits I'm dealing with right now. I admit, the weaning may not be far off, but I'm taking it one month at a time. Three more weeks to 6 months old :)
posted by : Alisa on 7/7/2008 at 10:25 AM Flag For Abuse
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I'm going to be the unpopular formula feeder here, and I know that. But I did have the trouble with breastfeeding that pushed us down that road. Attack me if you want to, but you're not going to tell me anything I didn't tell myself as I spiraled into some pretty serious post-partum depression and feelings of inadequacy as a mother. I've come out of it knowing that at least I TRIED to breastfeed. It's the moms who never even bother who get me.
Anyway, I will say that I couldn't afford a lactation consultant. I had to make do with the nurses on the maternity ward who I have since found out gave some pretty awful advice. I thank God I had an electric breast pump given to me - and I did try using it for several weeks. But my insurance wasn't going to cover any of that. And the "disability payment" you get while you're on maternity leave didn't help cover our bills - there was no extra money to shell out for anything "extra." Fortunately we'd scrimped and saved with the knowledge that I'd be out of work for seven weeks!
Then you figure in finding time to pump or staying home - yes, it's true, not every mom can find that. No matter what the law says about employers providing time to pump, not all of us have an office job with regular hours. As a reporter, I'm on the go constantly. And pumping in the middle of a town board meeting wasn't an option. In other words, even if I'd been able to last with breastfeeding until the end of my maternity leave, I knew I'd have to give it up shortly thereafter.
In the end, finances weren't my reasoning for switching over to formula, and I wouldn't advocate anyone go my route unless they had to. But it's nice to know someone realizes that although breast IS indeed best, the reality of everyday life means it's not always feasible.
posted by : jeanne on 7/7/2008 at 10:43 AM Flag For Abuse
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Let's be honest. Office jobs are the most conducive to pumping. I'm lucky enough to have one, but retail, restaurant, medical, and teaching jobs especially are not conducive to it at all. While many states require giving a mother time to pump, in practice it doesn't always happen.
I had a preemie and used a rented pump, then a purchased pump, neither covered by insurance. Since then I've gone through something like 300 milk bags, at $6 per 50. I have a Boppy pillow and have gone through 5 nursing bras. Lactation visits were covered by insurance. I've spent about $600, and did not need to supplement with formula during his first year.
posted by : Owensmom on 7/7/2008 at 12:20 PM Flag For Abuse
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Oh, this article was so consistent with our experience. In our exhaustive and exhausting quest to breastfeed, we saw three lactation consultants (one multiple times), two pumps, countless tubes of lanolin, supplemental feeding systems, two nursing pillows, 3 types of bottles, supplements to try to boost my milk supply, and who remembers what else --only for the third lactation consultant to finally figure out that our son had a sucking problem that we were not going to be able to solve.
We were very fortunate that we were financially able to absorb these costs so that we could try absolutely everything that anyone could suggest to try to breastfeed our child exclusively or even primarily.
It all worked out in the end, with a thriving child, but our attempt to breastfeed was very far from free. I would bet that ultimately we spent more on trying to nurse than we ever did on formula, even though we ended up on formula exclusively because I couldn't ever get a significant milk supply established on pumping alone, even pumping some massive number of times daily.
posted by : MomtoJBug on 7/7/2008 at 12:49 PM Flag For Abuse
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I had to go back to work soon after my daughter was born, so breastfeeding was very difficult for us. My job didn't help either. I'm a teacher so getting bathroom breaks, much less time to pump was extremely difficult.
posted by : teacher44 on 7/7/2008 at 3:14 PM Flag For Abuse
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My issue with this article is that it assumes that if you live on one income you're wealthy. My husband and I have made many sacrifices so that we can live on one income.
However, I think most people would be shocked at how good a quality of life a family can have even on one unremarkable income. It's definitely a personal decision, and I don't fault anyone who decides differently, but having one parent stay home is possible.
Of course, being a SAHM didn't help with the breast feeding. After two months of doing everything under the sun my milk dried up and it was on to *very* expensive formula til my son was one.
posted by : preemiemom on 7/7/2008 at 6:14 PM Flag For Abuse
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My experience has been like MomtoJBug's, even shunning seemingly silly, extraneous things like the Hooter Hider. I borrowed a pump and a Boppy. Even so, right off the bat I bought a couple of nursing bras and tanks, a Boppy slipcover, and equipment for the pump (flanges that were the right size, bottles, etc.). Then my baby had trouble sucking. In order to give him 100 percent pumped breast milk, we've spent $250 on lactation consultation (the baby stumped the lactation ladies, La Leche and our pediatrician), $75 on the hospital pump rental, since our pump wasn't strong enough to produce all the milk baby needed, more bottles, etc. We've probably spent $500 and he's not even a month old yet.
So yeah, for many of us, breastfeeding is far from free.
posted by : sweetpotater on 7/7/2008 at 6:16 PM Flag For Abuse
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The term priceless comes to mind when thinking of the costs of breastfeeding my baby.
We are a one FT salary family and I try to pull some PT work to cover the cost of staying home.
posted by : lisaB on 7/7/2008 at 10:15 PM Flag For Abuse
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The bottom line is that babies are expensive. But, the important thing is that they are worth every penny we chose to spend on them! And NO ONE has the right to make you feel guilty for the choices YOU make for YOUR baby--whether it be breast vs formula, disposable vs cloth, etc. And I hate it so much that women who chose formula for whatever reason, have to defend their decision. Formula is not poison!!!
posted by : minelovesformula on 7/7/2008 at 11:58 PM Flag For Abuse
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Ok, "minelovesformula" this discussion is simply related to surprise costs that can be associated with formula. If you feel guilty or defensive - that is on you, not on a parent who makes a different choice.
While not "poison" formula does increase infant illness and death by twice as much, as well as decreasing IQ.
So there is also the hidden cost of formula in the increase of medical bills and sick days. By breastfeeding, we save on co-pays, hospital bills, and medications. We also save in that we don't have to use as many sick days, since breastfed babies are generally healthier.
As for working - I went back to work at 6 weeks as a full-time paramedic. I've never been a journalist, or had an office job, but I'm willing to bet that trying to pump in between 911 calls is a little more difficult. And yet not at all impossible. We've made it past 12 months without ever using formula.
posted by : minelovesboobie on 7/8/2008 at 1:33 AM Flag For Abuse
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I had a lot of trouble breastfeeding my first baby, but formula was simply not an option- we didn't have the money. I couldn't afford a lactation consultant, either, but between the public health nurse, books, and my mom's advice, we got there. I'm glad we live in Canada; 55% pay isn't great, but it's better than having to go back to work after 6 weeks, and it meant I was home for the first 50 weeks. I can't imagine working retail and trying to pump...
My pump was $100; a second-hand, never-used Boppy was $10. Bottles and stuff (which we didn't use much) came to another $100, I guess, and that was enough. There's no way we could've done formula.
posted by : AllisonWonder on 7/8/2008 at 11:35 AM Flag For Abuse
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Minelovesboobie, formula does not decrease IQ. There is some evidence that breastfed babies have higher IQs, but even that hasn't been proven, and it certainly doesn't mean that formula decreases IQ. And I say this as an ardent breastfeeder who nursed for a year. None of this has to do with the original topic of the article, but I just wanted to clear that up.
posted by : Shannon1234 on 7/8/2008 at 2:47 PM Flag For Abuse
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We always make a point to reduce, reuse and recycle - so that same adage applied to us with my daughter. She was exclusively breastfed (or given bottles of expressed breastmilk) through six months old and she nursed well past a year. She never had any formula. I paid $50 for a used Medela pump and probably another $10 to replace the tubing. Bottles were given to us on our baby registry, as was my "Brest Friend" nursing pillow. I paid another $10 for ice cube trays to freeze expressed breast milk in, and stored the frozen cubes in a large ziploc for my daughter's caregiver. I sought out friends and a local parenting group of moms who breastfed their own babies for advice, which was free. Total cost to me is less than $100 and far, far less than it would have cost to feed her formula. No, it wasn't always the most convenient or easy thing to pump at work - but giving my daughter breastmilk was a high priority for me. I sympathize with those moms who want to breastfeed but have a difficult time doing so - there are so many things done in typical hospital births that sabotage a nursing relationship before it starts, for many. We were lucky in that respect, and prudent in any spending needs we had. Breastfeeding, in the majority of situations, does not have to be expensive.
posted by : Kara Ha on 7/9/2008 at 2:11 PM Flag For Abuse
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A notable nursing expense has been overlooked, at least in our situation: mom's caloric needs. I am breastfeeding my twins, now five months. I have to eat a lot. And as a nursing mom, I try to make the best possible food choices for my babies' sake. These are not always the cheapest options. We're using an 8 year old pump (puchased for my first born), have hand-me-downs for most everything else, have not needed to supplement with formula, but, wow, the grocery bills!! I'd love to have seen that expense factored into the analysis.
posted by : 2hungrybabies on 7/9/2008 at 3:14 PM Flag For Abuse
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Any amount of breastfeeding helps both mom and baby. To examine the breastfeeding vs. formula issue in terms of finances ignores the value of breastfeeding that cannot be determined through money. In fact, one must wonder about the "cost" of not breastfeeding. I worked and pumped, and I teach. At times, I had to supplement with formula. One of the best decisions we made was to rent a hospital-grade pump from a hospital. They only rent the machine, you purchase all of the attachments. It was $30 a month. I also had to purchase bags and even bottles. I never bothered to try to look at the numbers because it was about much more than numbers. I did not have an easy time in the beginning, either and had to find an lc. Of course, everyone can make their own decisions, but I don't think that trying to compare the two is really possible because they are such different experiences, and the benefits of breastfeeding are really unbeatable. Another cost that is not considered here are doctor bills since many formula-fed babies are more prone to sickness, especially when they are in a daycare environment. All of these factors are so difficult to compare, though. That is one of the main reasons that the decision to breastfeed is so personal.
posted by : eliana on 7/9/2008 at 7:20 PM Flag For Abuse
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I nursed my baby for 9 months. That being said, adding on costs to formula feeding for medical costs is a big exaggeration. Not every child who is formula fed is sick all the time. I was formula fed, and the doctors back then had me on regular milk and food at a very early age. I was never sick and I know other kids who were the same.
I am SO tired of these loopy breast Nazis with a holier than thou attitude who love to put down their fellow moms. Enough already. We all work hard and love our babies.
I did love breastfeeding my child, I think everyone should give it a shot if it's feasible. For me it was a bit cheaper than formula feeding. But I didn't have problems and didn't need a lactation consultant. I bought a used pump (and not everyone uses Medela). I also supplemented with formula when I needed/wanted a break.
Formula moms, I've got your back!! We're not all judgmental.
posted by : lilmissyny on 7/9/2008 at 10:38 PM Flag For Abuse
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I have to strongly disagree with the context of this article. I have been nursing my daughter for the past 19 months. Yes, in the short term if you add up lactation consultants, boppy pillows, nipple cream, breast pumps and nursing tanks breastfeeding can cost a pretty penny. CAN being the important word, it doesn't have to. However even if a family did spend all this money on breastfeeding items, they would more then make it back in reduced medical costs over the child's LIFETIME.
Formula is a piss poor alternative for what nature intended for our babies. Formula companies care so little about our infants that they still continue to make formulas from ingredients that infants are often allergic to and add whey protein to soy formula and soy oils to milk formula. DHA additives to formula have made many infants sick, yet they are still added to formula so it's more marketable as an equal to breast milk. Also what about the ethics that formula companies have when dealing with foreign countries. Should we just not care that they market formula in countries where there is not clean drinking water and families cannot afford it? Should we ignore that babies have died from these marketing campaigns, babies who could have lived and thrived on breast milk?
The moral and financial compass of this article revolves around the same mentality that buying a Hummer to get a tax break is better then buying a Honda and saving thousands of dollars on gas. I can't even imagine spending money on something my body makes for free that is 20x better then the alternative. I refuse to hear the argument on choice or lack of ability as a reason why the negative aspects of formula feeding should not be highlighted.
posted by : dhsredhead on 7/10/2008 at 2:03 AM Flag For Abuse
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I think this article, although focussed on the financial aspects, reflects the fact that breast feeding can be very difficult and challenging for some mothers. For myself, I was fortunate enough to have an easy time of it and am home with my son. Like preemiemom, I do take issue with the fact that this article assumes that if you stay at home you must be wealthy. Our family has very limited disposable income; however, had I gone back to work childcare costs would have been about 75% of my income. It hardly seemed worth it, especially for a job I wasn't particularly crazy about. What I think is unfortunate is that instead of working to make breastfeeding in the workplace more exceptable, combatting attitudes toward public breastfeeding, and creating a more supportive environment for each other as mothers, so often people resort to blaming mothers who formula feed. I recently had this conversation with my mother and mother-in-law who both were saddened by the fact that the discussion and the blame that many mothers face is essential the same as it was 30 years ago when they were having their babies.
posted by : Camille on 7/10/2008 at 6:29 PM Flag For Abuse
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Well I used olive oil because those nipple products caused more problems then solutions. So the most I ever spent on breastfeeding was $5 for the olive oil. I never owned a breastfeeding bra or shirt. I never formula fed. I pumped for a short while with my first to get past the sore boobs until I discovered olive oil. I did use those disposable breastpads for a couple weeks. Maybe one box a baby. So all in all for all my pregnancies I spent more money on maxipads for the after bleeding then I did for breastfeeding. I am a SAHM so I imagine that has alot to do with it. I do have a unused boppy I got as a gift...those things suck.
posted by : carlie on 7/11/2008 at 2:17 PM Flag For Abuse
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Interesting article. I think it's important to explore the costs of breastfeeding, especially in terms of encouraging women of all socio-economic groups to nurse if they are able to.
posted by : m on 7/11/2008 at 5:43 PM Flag For Abuse
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"While not "poison" formula does increase infant illness and death by twice as much, as well as decreasing IQ."
This is misinformation. Formula DOES NOT INCREASE infant illness. Breast milk is beneficial because it passes along the mother's antibodies to allergy and illness, but this is not a health guarantee for life. Breast milk is especially important for the first two months of a baby's life, because their immune system hasn't quite gotten up to speed yet. However, breast does milk also contain a certain amount of toxins derived from the mother's diet (especially if unhealthy) and her environment: make-up, household cleaning agents, dry-cleaner fluid, mercury from food and polluted air, etc., so it's not 100% pure and perfect, as some tend to proclaim (usually while beating formula feeders over the head).
Breast is best, but it's not perfect. And formula, while generally considered second choice, is far from poison.
The long-term health and increased IQ statistics related to breast milk have been showed to be very highly correlated to parents' income and education levels. (The study that "minelovesboobie" *cited* earlier was performed in 1992, and its results have since been corrected many times in the last 16 years.) When further researched, studies showed that parents with higher income and education levels are more likely to breast feed because they are well informed, have favorable work conditions that allow them to pump on demand, and/or they can stay at home for the first 3 to 12 months of their baby's life. When later studies corrected for the parents' education and IQ levels, it was revealed that their offspring's higher IQ rates were actually the product of biological inheritance: nature, and parental care: nurture, than they were due to breast milk. The health statistics (beyond the first two months) were also correlated to the parents' diet, lifestyle and inherited genes.
posted by : PhDmama on 7/11/2008 at 5:46 PM Flag For Abuse
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Thanks for this--I was just thinking about this the other day. Nursing failed for us after about two weeks when I was just not willing to put up with feeding systems, constant pumping, lactation consultants, postpartum doulas, etc. I figured it would be about the same price as Target formula in the long run, which is what we ended up doing.
posted by : Shines33 on 7/11/2008 at 5:52 PM Flag For Abuse
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I breastfed exclusively for the first 6 months, at which point I treated formula as an introduced "solid." I did this mainly because my workplace is not that supportive of my pumping (as an ICU nurse, I work 12 hour shifts in a hospital!), and I just hate pumping. My son is now 9 months old. He gets 1-2 bottles of formula on the 2-3 days per week I work, along with nursing in the morning and solids. My sitter brings him to me at lunchtime on the days I work & I nurse him then. I still pump once a day at work to keep my milk supply up, but it doesn't seem that crucial--I don't express very much. It's not what I imagined I'd do, but it works out. I am lucky that I live in Northern California where there is great community support for breastfeeding (groups, doulas, lactation consultants, etc). Also my visits to the Lactation Consultant were covered by insurance.
My pump was a hand me down; I bought a couple of bras & 1 cheap, but great nursing pillow (brand is Kushies) that I kept in the car. I didn't use the storage bags I bought--too bad, very expensive! I'll probably donate them to the hospital or a women's shelter.
Breastfeeding was very difficult for the first few weeks--bleeding nipples; dairy intolerance; but it never occurred to me to stop. I wish all women had access to the same resources I did. Nursing my son has been extremely precious to me. Priceless, really.
posted by : LauRN on 7/12/2008 at 1:12 AM Flag For Abuse
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It feels like this article was slapped together in a few hours to earn a few bucks. I'm used to a higher quality of article here.
posted by : Miranda on 7/12/2008 at 7:24 PM Flag For Abuse
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Well, I bought a bobby, a cover, some nursing bras, a manual Avent pump, a double pump when I went back to work from ebay, some bottles, storage bags, lanolin, nursing pads. I nursed and pumped for a year with the first and I'm nursing this one for as long as possible. I still have the items I bought the first time, so I haven't spent more than $20 this time. It's still a savings to me. When we started using formula when I became pregnant while nursing the first, even though we only used it during the day since I was still able to nurse a bit, it was SOOOOO expensive. I can't imagine the cost had we done it exclusively.
I think after paying money for basics (if you want them) people get caught up on the marketing of products. You need this. You need that. But you don't. All you need is a breast with milk and if you need help, LLL has LCs to help you for free. But we live in a capitalist society that wants us to buy stuff. So everywhere you you're bombarded with advertisements telling you what you "need". I think the more women breastfeed and see if being done, it will become more normal and people will see that you don't need a ton of stuff. I think we buy into that ideal because it's something we haven't seen and we think that having things will make it easier.
posted by : unneceserean2 on 7/13/2008 at 11:49 AM Flag For Abuse
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PhDmama I wish you would do more research before commenting. Your wrong. Breastmilk does have life long benefits for both mother and child. The immune system is not fully developed until a child is 6 years of age, not 2 months of age. While toxins passing through breastmilk may sound scary, formula is not free from toxins by any stretch of the imagination. All of the foods we eat, water and milk we drink contains toxins. The cow's milk that is made into formula contains toxins, as well as the soy. Formula also contains preservatives and non-organic formula was grown with pesticides that are known toxins. The benefits of a unhealthy woman breastfeeding are way greater then the risk of her passing along toxins to her child and those toxins harming the child. The good bacteria and enzymes in breastmilk also may even help the digestional tract do it's job making it easier for infants to rid their bodies of such toxins. A improved digestional tract also benefits the immune system and allows the child to absorb nutrients better. Breastmilk is the ultimate super food, formula is equal to junk food. The omega fatty acids in breastmilk have been proven to help the brain function. So regardless of socio-economic factors breastfed babies brains are getting what they need to thrive.
Formula is poison because statistically it increases an infant's risk of contracting disease, childhood leukemia and death. Don't blame people for stating the obvious get angry at the right people; the formula companies for making it more difficult for women to have access to the information, supply and support they need. Get mad at the formula companies for creating a social standard that breastfeeding is a negative and formula feeding is normal.
posted by : dhsredhead on 7/13/2008 at 9:08 PM Flag For Abuse
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I agree with dhsredhead. You need to focus on the health benefits of both mom and baby, not to mention the special bonding that takes place during the nursing period. That in it of itself is priceless.
posted by : Hypnow on 7/14/2008 at 9:37 AM Flag For Abuse
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This topic is very interesting but I don't feel like there was much research done. How often are those huge amounts actually spent on breastfeeding? I didn't see an average cost anywhere, just that people who have it COULD spend more on BFing if they wanted.
I'd also be interested in how it plays for those of us who BF or formula feed more than one child since the overall cost of BFing would, in theory, fall.
posted by : St on 7/14/2008 at 12:11 PM Flag For Abuse
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When I returned to work I tried to figure out how much money I was saving by attaching myself the breast pump. I think it worked out to $4 an hour. I posted about it here:
http://tinyurl.com/5wtoj5
posted by : marketingmommy on 7/14/2008 at 3:57 PM Flag For Abuse
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> "The breastfeeding mother who stays home the entire first year with her baby ... Of course, she can't be away from her baby for long, ... exclusive province of women who are independently wealthy ..."
Hmm, I think St and unneceserean2 have it right. To breastfeed you need to spend very little (nursing bras count as extra expense? don't women wear underwear at other times?) whilst to formula feed you have to spend at least a certain not unsubstantial amount. Thankfully after days of pain, tears, bloody nipples, consultations (LLL give free advice as do state medical personnel), some pumping to ensure J was getting enough (second hand pump was very cheap) and all ... J's mum managed to feed him from the breast.
She certainly didn't "stay home the entire first year" - drop him in the sling and you're away. Feed anywhere, no bottles and sterilisers to transport. As for it being the preserve of the wealthy. We run our own business and officially live below the poverty line (UK gov. figures). J had to fit in at work.
Away from the baby? Why have kids and then give them to someone else to look after, enjoy them for yourself!
J started on solids at about 5 months, he just reached out and grabbed the food.
posted by : pbhj on 7/20/2008 at 11:25 PM Flag For Abuse
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I agree with the premise of the article - breastfeeding is not free. I was just thinking the same thing when I recently called one shop to find out how much it would cost to rent a pump from them, and they quoted me a price of $100/month. Ouch! I was lucky that I got a prescription for one in the hospital, and my insurance covers it. Between nursing bras ($250, and yes, I need comfortable supportive bras, and not crap from Walmart), lanolin, nursing pads, and even new clothes because my boobs won't fit into anything I own, this is starting to add up.
Since this discussion deteriorated into the usual breast vs. bottle debate, I find it completely amusing that people use the fact that they're breastfeeding to keep up their self esteem. Really, ladies, find something else to be proud of. This is pathetic.
posted by : MfromB on 7/21/2008 at 2:20 PM Flag For Abuse
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I think someone needs to explore the real issue I see over and over again on this site - the sorry state of the USA in terms of parental leave and federal initiatives to support parenting in the first 3 to 5 years of life including breastfeeding support, among other things. Being Canadian I just shake my head at how Americans just accept that people have to go back to work after 6 weeks or whatever pathetic allowance you have. Take a look at the rest of the world and realize what a bassackwards world you live in - you are all so concerned with having the right pillow or nipple cream or designer diaper bag than you are about the need for parents to spend more tiime with their newborns and developing babies. Talk about screwed up priorities.
posted by : ProudCanadian on 7/22/2008 at 9:49 AM Flag For Abuse
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I think you're right, Proud Canadian. But how long has your leave system been the way it is? Our political battles have different major players than yours, and that is why our laws on everything from parental leave to marriage to adoption will probably lag - a lot.
posted by : catmom on 7/27/2008 at 1:16 PM Flag For Abuse
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I found this article offensive...
another attack against breast feeding, with the issue at hand being "hidden costs." Yuck.
I delivered a preemie - stayed home till she was 4 mo old - which I was VERY lucky to do - but then went back to work full time. My husband and I were POOR - grad student and non-profit worker. I am still nursing and my child is 2.
I feel like this website really pushes the anti-breastfeeding agenda. I know not everyone can nurse. I'm really sad about that, but I know that it doesn't work out for everyone... but let's not attack breastfeeding just to make ourselves feel better about using formula, OK?
posted by : theskyisfalling on 7/28/2008 at 10:09 PM Flag For Abuse
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I believe our leave was increased to 6 months in 1998 and then to 1 year around 2002 - also, it is called parental leave which allows either parent to take the full year (i.e. Mom can take first 6 months and Dad the last 6 months) and it is also available for adoptive parents. Many unionized and federal employers also have top up pay as the parental leave benefits are usually only about 50 - 70 percent of pay. My husband is with the RCMP and he had the option of taking up to a year off when we had our babies (with full pay). He only took 3 months with our first and 6 weeks with our second (I am a SAHM) but mostly because he is in the officer ranks and prolonged leaves do not bode well for promotions. I know Canada was late in enacting this compared to European countries, and comparing Canada and the US when it comes to social policies is like comparing the health benefits of breast milk vs formula (hah!) - they are simply two different entities. But does not somebody in the US think it is high time to start the political discussion about parental leave and the benefits for children and families....
posted by : ProudCanadian on 7/29/2008 at 10:06 AM Flag For Abuse
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When I read the article, I was most struck but the commentary on our culture. How we've managed to take something that should be free and turn it into a huge money-making machine, somehow convincing moms that they need that stuff. I bought a few things I really needed--a good pump, bottles, a couple of good bras--and a lot of crap that I didn't--expensive bras, the pillows, ointments and creams, nursing clothes. It still bothers me that I fell for the marketing.
posted by : still_learning on 7/29/2008 at 9:17 PM Flag For Abuse
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Either way is fine, in my opinion. Our bodies were made to make milk. If you have the milk, why not feed the baby with it? If the baby doesn't latch on or take it, that's not your fault...so use formula! I just think its odd that people CHOOSE to opt out of breastfeeding if they have the choice (ex; stay at home moms, if you are producing lots of milk, ect) Its free!!! And NO, you don't need to spend a bunch of money on breast pumps, or feeding pillows, ect...just use the pillow you sleep on at night & a towel to throw over your shoulder! If breast feeding is easy, then that's the simple route to go...if you are having pain, and not able to have that mommy-baby bonding time...formula is okay too!! No two moms are the same, and no two babies are the same...so one type of feeding isn't perfect for all...
posted by : kdubmommy on 8/4/2008 at 3:35 AM Flag For Abuse
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Breastfeeding is much less expensive and hassle free in comparison to formula feeding. Have you ever wondered how the majority of the women in the word feed their babies? Breast is not only best...but for many the only safe option!
Our western society leads us to believe that we need special equipment for everything we do...brest pump, nursing bras and tanks, nursing pillows, etc. Simple does it...none of the equipment is really necessary!
As for brestfeeding support, La leche League is an extremely supportive group that will offer support to anyone and everyone!
Keep in mind what is best for your babe...
posted by : breastisbest on 4/23/2009 at 4:08 PM Flag For Abuse
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These comparisons are secondary to the central cultural issues that surround the choices involved in feeding infants.
Breastmilk is not "best" -- it is the physiologically normal way to feed a human infant and requires no contraptions whatsoever in a society where it is the cultural norm. However, in the US particularly, although many parts of the world are experiencing varying degrees of this, breastfeeding is no longer the cultural norm.
What is not normal is a society that has created a situation where mother's are penalized in terms of their financial security for giving their children what is normal. The government may be "promoting" breastfeeding, but until they provide comprehensive parental leave programs, and mother-friendly birthing practices, and acknowledge the incredibly important social, economic, cultural etc. contributions of unpaid caregiving work, increasing breastfeeding rates will be an uphill battle.
It makes me angry that promotion happens without any commitment financial and cultural put into practices that would protect, support and enhance the nursing relationship. It sets many moms up for failiure, putting them between a rock and a hard place.
I give a lot of time helping moms breastfeed, and the many many ways they are undermined in our society are so frustrating and aggravating.
It is not moms who are to blame whether they are nursing, or bottle feeding, lactivist or not and as long as we continue these sorts of battles no one wins.
The blame needs to be put squarely on a culture that does not value women and children. A culture that takes caregiving work (of children, the elderly, the sick etc.) and the people, primarily women, who do it for granted. It is a culture that ghettoizes children and their caregivers and penalizes anyone who takes the time to care for their children, breastfeeding or not, staying at home or in paid work, mother or father, daycare worker or public school teacher. That's where things need to change. And if those things changed, breastfeeding would no longer be a political hot potato, it would just be the way we feed human babies.
posted by : thepersonalispolitical on 4/23/2009 at 6:16 PM Flag For Abuse
