As a new mother, we all wait to start the epic journey called breastfeeding. Breastfeeding is not the easiest journey in the world but for me as a mother it was great. I will confess, I always wanted to formula feed because as a child that’s what my parents followed and the bottle of milk excited me. Plus as a first-time mom, initially, the idea of feeding my child sounded embarrassing. But as the months went by I became pro-breastfeeding over formula. In fact, I started to think that formula was evil. But then a part of me matured seeing women I knew struggle with anxiety and depression when they couldn’t feed.
Yes, breastfeeding is beautiful but forcing it down other women’s throats is not. Motherhood is about compassion and love, not a competition. Yes, there is a formula trap, the more you formula feed the lesser milk you would produce. But what you pick? A starving little baby whose mother is giving breastfeeding her best shot or a happily formula fed infant? Well, I would always pick happiness. A happy mother will make her child happy by keeping the environment beautiful.
The Internet has empowered us with knowledge but it has also given us this huge need to be arrogant. Every time a new mom picks up a bottle stop stating the facts people. Help her by holding the baby and perhaps you can gently help her try a shot at breastfeeding or going to a Lactation Consultant?
Yes, breast is best but formula is good too. After all, we want healthy happy babies!