Articles

Whose Choice is it Anyway?

by Barbara Dehn RN MS NP
Author of Your Personal Guide to Breastfeeding

 

Supporting Each Other

Can you imagine letting other people pressure you to cut your hair or wear certain kinds of clothes? And yet, perfect strangers don’t seem at all hesitant to offer their opinions on what’s the best way for you to feed your baby, without knowing any of your unique circumstances.

 

Women Know What’s Best

I see my role as one of supporting women in whatever situation they happen to be in. If a woman is motivated to exclusively breastfeed, I’ll work with her and provide resources, lactation consultants and everything available. If she wants to breastfeed for a few months, and then wean, or if she wants to introduce pumped milk or use infant formula to supplement, I’ll help her figure out the best ways to integrate those options into her life.

The most important aspect is to respect and support a woman’s own choices. I trust that women are in the best position to decide what’s best for themselves and their babies.

 

When Breastfeeding Isn’t Working

There are circumstances when a woman has tried everything including multiple trips to see lactation consultants, pediatricians, OB/GYN doctors, support groups, and reading every available resource in print and on-line, swallowing fenugreek tablets and drinking herbal teas, trying any and every suggested treatment, standing on her head, you name it, and yet, breastfeeding isn’t working out the way she had envisioned.

This can lead to distress and feelings ranging from inadequacy to anger to depression. For women in this situation, feeding their babies infant formula is not a choice. This is absolutely the only way their baby will get the nourishment they need to grow and develop. What these moms need most is understanding and support, not judgments.

 

Married to the Pump

Breast pumps have been an enormous help for so many moms. Having the ability to pump and store milk has enabled more women to provide breast milk to their babies when they can’t be with them. Pumps also allow moms to increase the stimulation to the breast to help increase supply. They are invaluable to mothers of premature infants who aren’t able to breastfeed, and who need to maintain their supply.

There are situations where moms will pump every 2-3 hours each day! And each pump session can take 20-30 minutes by the time, the containers are labeled, things get washed and put away. That’s like having a full – time job. These moms also need our support and encouragement. They are making the choice that is best for them.

 

Returning to Work

Not every woman who returns to work has a corner office with a door that she can close so she can pump 2 to 4 times/day, or has the ability to store pumped breast milk. Some women work in industries where it’s difficult to find a clean, private place to pump milk.

Some moms choose to breastfeed in the mornings before leaving for work, and in the evenings when they return. Others find that using formula all the time is a better choice. Some moms feel torn between what’s recommended and what’s practical. In these situations, mothers are doing the best that they can for themselves and their babies. Like every mother, they too need support and encouragement.

 

When the Decision is Personal and Private

No mom should have to justify or explain her choice of how she’ll feed her baby. Perhaps it’s been recommended that she not breastfeed because of an illness, medical condition, or medication that she must take. Maybe she just isn’t comfortable with the idea or resents people telling her what to do with her body. Whatever her reason, and frankly, it’s no one’s business, but a decision that she can make by herself or with her health care provider. And though many people might not agree with her decision, she too needs support and acceptance.

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