Breastfeeding Pressure
Breastfeeding pressure is one way in which I allowed others to add to my list of what I should or shouldn't have done. As a mum I am always so critical of myself and no matter what I do there is a guilt associated with the trade off, sound familiar?
When my first son was born – and leading up to his birth – I felt a great deal of pressure to breastfeed. But I found that as soon as I had some breastfeeding problems, the pressure turned to weaning, and I got tonnes of strong suggestions in support of putting him on formula.
Then there was the awkwardness of breastfeeding in public, where? How? Some mothers rooms are great, and comfortable, but some are horrible and smelly. And what about on the train, or at the beach? At a restaurant or wedding?
As a mum that breastfed and loved breastfeeding, I really feel for mums that haven't been able to enjoy or experience it. Many of them carry breastfeeding guilt, when actually it's society that has let them down, that hasn't supported them in the right way, and that is constantly sending mixed messages and misinformation.
And while I think it's horrible for mums to feel pressure to breastfeed, I also find it sad that breastfeeding support groups are labeled by some people as breastfeeding crazies.
I mean really, forcing someone to stop breastfeeding is just as bad as forcing someone to breastfeed, it's all breastfeeding pressure, it's just coming from different sides of the fence.
In the articles below I have tried to explore some of the topics introduced here and to look at why this is such a touchy and quietly explosive issue for many mums and cultures.
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Breastfeeding Toddlers
"Are you still breastfeeding!?" Why are breastfeeding toddlers offensive to people? It's your decision, and listing benefits of long term breastfeeding should quieten any opposition.
Breastfeeding in Public
Breastfeeding in public is supported by law and it's illegal for anyone to ask you to stop breastfeeding. So why does it still happen?
Return from Breastfeeding Pressure to The Essence of Breastfeeding
