The Breastfeeding Debate

Take two children at eight years old – one bottle fed as a baby, the other breast fed – is one healthier than the other?

Expecting my first baby at 31 years old, I considered myself very fortunate to share my pregnancy my best friend who, coincidently, was also expecting her first child. We were delighted when our babies were born 2 weeks apart, she giving birth to a bouncing baby boy and me welcoming a beautiful baby girl.

However, there was a difference. My best friend, Jo, wasn’t able to breast feed, despite her best efforts; whilst I, with much perseverance, was able to breast fed from the off.

But, there was another difference between our babies. Jo’s little boy was a content baby who slept comfortably between feeds. My daughter, bless her soul, was challenging, demanding hourly feeds and crying incessantly.

After 6 difficult weeks, I was at my wits end and, on the advice of my health visitor, reluctantly supplemented breast with a bottle. The difference in my little bundle was miraculous. Finally, she was content. Finally, she slept comfortably too.

We are all told that breastfeeding gives our children the best start in life and whilst I would never dispute this, I look at our two healthy 8 year olds now and consider – was it really worth all that heartache?

Whilst many Mothers produce plenty of milk to satisfy their babies and breastfeed with no problems, others don’t. In my case, sadly, I didn’t provide enough milk to sustain my little one which left her hungry after feeding.

Breastfeeding isn’t easy and requires diligence, as we all know. But we should never feel guilty for not being able to do it, or superior for achieving it.

When I look at our two happy, healthy children now, who are parented by proud (and very busy!) Mothers, it makes me think that all babies are individuals, as are all Mothers.

Certainly listen to the advice and try your best, but at the end of the day – breastfeed or not? – you reserve the right to do what is right for you, and your little one, at the time.

Related posts:

1. Breastfeeding in the NICU
2. Positions for Breastfeeding
3. Get a Good Start to Breastfeeding
4. Discomfort in Breastfeeding
5. Snappy Comebacks to Rude Breastfeeding Remarks