New York City Mayor Michael Bloomburg has a plan to increase the number of women who breastfeed. But is he going about this the right way? He wants all the hospitals to lock up formula and make women breastfeed in the hospitals. Only those who truly need formula will be allowed to have it.
I have mixed feelings about this issue. I understand the importance of breastfeeding and the benefits that come from it. When I was pregnant with my daughter, my plan was to breastfeed for the first year. Well, when she was born I did not get the chance to put her to my breast and feed her. She was transferred to a different hospital and we were not reunited until the next afternoon. I pumped all night long so that she could have something to eat when I got there. Since I was not there to feed her they gave her a glucose drip to satisfy her hunger knowing that I was on the way to breastfeed. But in the meantime they gave her a pacifier. When I got there I put her right to my breast BUT she had nipple confusion. She would not take to my breast at all or maybe she would for only a few sucks. She did not want to work for the milk and became frustrated so she wouldn’t eat.
I pumped as much as I could in the days to follow so that she could eat out of a bottle because she was still not latching. I tried numerous times for her to breastfeed but she just was not latching. Therefore, my breasts ended up not producing much milk and we were forced to use formula so that she would get enough nutrients for development. I was totally fine with this because I knew my baby was getting full at feedings. Today she is a beautiful healthy one year old and we couldn’t be happier.
So for the formula lock up plan, I understand what they are trying to accomplish but if women are having trouble breastfeeding because the baby just doesn’t want to do it then they need to give it formula in the hospital. The baby needs to eat to gain weight and become strong enough to go home. There is nothing wrong with formula. Everyone tries to push breastfeeding because it is the best thing for the baby. By the baby putting its mouth to the breast the saliva (spit) lets the mother’s body know what nutrients the baby needs and it puts those nutrients in the milk. So it is kind of a personalized nutrition plan rather than a generic plan like the formula. But regardless the baby is still getting the right nutrients.
I feel that education on breastfeeding is needed for all women who are pregnant. Some women decide that they don’t want to do it at all even before the baby is born. Women need to know the benefits of their milk for their baby. If you don’t know anything about breastfeeding and would like to know the benefits please contact your OB/GYN or other health care professional that knows about it. And spread the word to all women that you know. Remember, Mother’s milk is the best for baby but there is no shame in supplementing with formula.
So for mother’s who are trying to breastfeed and it is just not working for you, don’t get frustrated. It is ok and you tried. Just pump as much milk as you possible can until you’re not producing much anymore and use formula too. There are also mother’s out there that don’t produce enough milk to satisfy their babies and need to supplement with formula. There is no shame in this either. I know numerous women who have done this. Especially as the baby gets older they eat more. Don’t get discouraged or frustrated. There is nothing wrong with you. I had to tell myself this numerous times. Some babies are easy to breastfeed and some are not. As long as they eat that is all that matters. They will grow up and be healthy beautiful babies in the end!
