Breastfeeding off the breast

Are you going to breastfeed?  It's probably the most common question a pregnant woman is asked.  If you say yes, you're automatically thought of as  good mom.  if you say no, you're thought of as a bad mom, or at the very least, a not so good mom.   And with that, comes guilt--alot of guilt.  And even if it's the right decision for you and your family, you still are left feeling guilty.  Well don't.  It's not up to others to judge you.

That said, there's a third, often not thought of, option.  it's called breastfeeding off the breast.  What does it mean?  It refers to moms who give their children their own breastmilk, but just not directly.  They pump and then give their children their pumped liquid gold.  Many moms do this.  it's a wonderful option for those of you who want to feed your children your own breastmilk but don't want to actually breastfeed.

Why might a mom opt to do this?  There are several reasons.

• Some moms don't like the feeling of a baby sucking from their breasts.
• Some moms find breastfeeding painful
• Some moms are uncomfortable with the idea of breastfeeding in public
• Some moms don't want to feel isolated or locked into something
• Some moms feel nervous aout how much milk their baby is actually getting because they can't measure it.
• Some moms want the rest of their family to get a chance to feed the baby-dad and siblings included.  it provides a good opportunity for everyone to bond with the baby.

There are lots of reasons that this could be the right choice for you.

But naturally, there are those who are against it and will try to make you feel guilty.   I recently read an article about a young woman who made this decision only to be given grief by, of all people, lactation consultants.  They told her if she did this should would never be able to express enough milk.  The woman in this case, estimates she pumped an extra 3,500 ounces to feed her baby until the age of 1!  So much for that argument! 

Even La Leche League can't argue with this, though some lactivists might try, saying you're not bonding with your baby.  That argument is ridiculous.  There are so many ways to bond with your baby.  Breastfeeding is just one way.

We are so conditioned to hearing that breastfeeding is the only good option for our babies and that's simply not true.  Many people choose to bottle feed their babies either with breastmlk or formula.  Both are good options. 

But the real shame is the shame new moms are made to  feel if they buy into --and it's hard not to-- the argument that unless they have a baby stuck on their breast, they're not doing a good job at parenting.

Ultimately, the more knowledge new moms have about feeding options, the better off they are.  They can then make their own informed choices on what's best for them and their famlies.  One woman was so frsutrated by the lack of information about pumping from her doctor and others, that she created her own website called Got Breast Pump.  The site provides "how to" advice for breastfeeding off the breast such as, scheduling pumping sessions and increasing milk supply.  You might want to check it out.

Just remember, there are lots of ways to feed your baby and provide him/her with good nutrition.  No matter what choice you make, you're not alone.  That's important to remember.