Breastfeeding is not all it’s cracked up to be. And the reasons for breastfeeding that most people give are not very smart, unfortunately.
Reason #1. “It’s best for my child! Studies show it is!”
Answer: These studies are stupid. Sorry, but there it is, and here’s why: they all assume that correlation equals causation. I dare anyone to show me a study about breastfeeding that doesn’t do this. Guess what else breastfeeding correlates to? Being educated and having money. So what really makes the difference – are smart, healthy children smart and healthy because they were breastfed, or because they were raised by educated, middle-class parents? Who knows? Breastfeeding “research” sure doesn’t.
Reason #2: “Well, even if it doesn’t necessarily make my baby smarter, it DOES make it healthier!! I care about my child’s health!”
Answer: Again, I dare you to produce research that doesn’t assume that correlation equals causation. I double dare you to produce research that compares breastfeeding to modern formulas (most studies are longitudinal and therefore compare breastfeeding to the formulas of 15 or 20 years ago).
Reason #3: “But the American Academy of Pediatrics/Dr. Sears/my mom/my OBGYN/La Leche says so!’
Answer: Appeal to authority is no argument. All those people are wrong unless they have thoughtful, logical research to back them up.
Reason #4: “But it’s good for the mom too! It helps her lose weight and stuff, and keeps her from getting cancer and stuff.”
Answer: Sure, maybe. Care to show me the research (remember, nothing that assumes correlation equals causation).
What about the downsides to breastfeeding?
Downside #1. Breastfeeding takes Dad out of the equation and makes bonding all about mommy and child, not parents and child.
Downside #2. If you work, you have to pumps. Pumps aren’t cheap, despite Mrs. Obama’s laudable efforts to make them a little more affordable. Pumping can be a logistical nightmare.
Downside #3. You must spend more time with the baby – whether you have that time or not and whether the baby needs you, specifically, or not.
Downside #4. Pushing breastfeeding as the ultimate Unshirkable Responsibility is not only based on ignorance and poor research, but it makes women who can’t breastfeed feel terrible.
There are reasons to breastfeed – it’s free, for one. But like anything else it has its downsides, and its strident champions need to be more compassionate, and more knowledgeable.
MY PROS:
1- It’s cheap. Not free, damn boppy and pump cost me an arm and a leg.
2- It’s easy. Baby starts crying, BAM! Boob in the mouth. No mixing, washing, prepping bottles.
So, I’m cheap and lazy. And it works for me. But it sure as hell didn’t in the beginning. That’s a whole ‘nother story though.
http://thegnomesmom.com/
Yes, it is cheap and quick. But I wouldn’t call it easy; I have a very clear memory of my mother’s ripped, cracked, bruised nipples from when she was breastfeeding my youngest sibling. I wouldn’t call it easy (funny, isn’t it, that something so “natural” is so hard and can require so much training, in some cases? – Women in other countries often withdraw from society altogether just to give themselves the time and space they need to do it).
Luckily, I didn’t deal with engorgement or nipple pain. It was hard in the beginning though (http://thegnomesmom.com/2011/02/25/wet-nurse/). And I did withdraw, for about 6 weeks. If you can make it through that though, easy peasy.