Guilt, guilt and more guilt---give me a break!

No doubt you've heard or read about the latest study published in the journal Pediatrics, that states that lack of breastfeeding is responsible for the dealths of 911 babies each year in the U.S. and also costs us $13 billion annually.  Did you breastfeed?  If not, do you feel guilty?  Do you feel like a bad mom?  Because that seems to be the take away message from this study. 

Yes, breastfeeding is best.  I get it.  in fact, I did it.  But preventing death?  Hmm.  Let's think about that.  For every study that comes out and says breastfeeding staves off allergies, eczema, asthma, ear infections and so much more, there are other studies that don't support those conclusions.  And, I have to say, my experience doesn't bear out these preventative claims.  I breastfed my daughter for 6 months.  She got ear infections every two weeks.  In fact, one time when I was at the pediatrician's office to have them look at her ears,  the nurse called our name, and as we stood up to go in, she looked at me, and then at my baby and said, "Sophie, (not her real name), you're here so often you're going to think we're your relatives!"  Yep.  not kidding.  I should have bought stock in Amoxicillin.

My point is, I think it's dangerous to make such sweeping conclusions.  One of the worst is that your child will be smarter if you breastfeed him/her.  Forget that you might spend hours reading or talking to your child, and stimulating her with age-appropriate activities.  Forget too that most moms have to go back to work and can't spend hours on the floor doing those activities.

There are many reasons women don't breastfeed, or stop after a while.  They're all legitimate reasons.  Guilt is hardly productive.  And there are environmental reasons that can lead a child to develop things like asthma, allergies, and ear infections.  Breastfeeding is the gold standard, no doubt.  But if you can't, or choose not to, you are not damaging your precious one.  Nor are you a bad mother.