The latest breastfeeding trend: exclusively using a pump rather than nursing. According to this Babble dispatch by Kate Tuttle, more and more women are choosing to give their baby breast milk but not actually delivering it via the breast. One tragic reason is a repulsion toward employing the sexualized breast in the context of a baby:Although there are certainly some women who exclusively pump because of such attitudes, most come to it accidentally, through a combination of a bad start at nursing and a conviction that breast milk is best, even if it doesn't come "straight from the tap."
We know a couple of people who went this route because of physical problems. It seemed like all the hard parts of breastfeeding with only one of the good parts (the milk). So hats off to anyone who spend so much time hooked up to a breast pump in order to get milk to their babies. Hear, hear, to Kate's call for more and better lactation consultation at hospitals, and for raising consciousness about the fact that breasts can actually be both sexy and a source of food.
You can read the whole story here.
Reader Comments ( Page 4 of 6)
46. With all the people abusing and killing their children and the horrible things that can happen to children I think this is a silly argument. I had my first child at 20 and was so engorged that she couldn't latch on properly. It caused my nipple to split and then when I tried pumping it made it worse. The Dr. told me to stop and go to formula. I can't tell you how glad I was because I was young and wanted no part of the pain. My second child I nursed for the first week and the same trouble started and I quit right away because I feared the experience. I waited about 8 years until the next one was born and we had no problem nursing but as soon as she got hold of a bottle that was the end of nursing. She wanted no part of it. I got pregnant while waiting for my IUD to be ordered and then she wouldn't take the breast milk I pumped either. (She was only 4 months old) The fourth one nursed fine for a whole year. I don't regret what happened for any of them. We bonded regardless. They were fed and nurtured and healthy. Each one. I do prefer to nurse. BUT, it's a personal choice and I don't think anyone has a right to judge another about what or how someone is feeding their baby. As long as it's approved formula or breast milk. As for the stares/comments I did receive on the maybe three times I had to nurse (fully covered) in public I made sure I let people know that the only reason women have breasts is to feed children so go get over themselves! That usually shut them up. Either way - it's a personal choice. As long as they are loving and provide for their children.... that's all that matters.
Shelley at 11:18PM on Jan 19th 2008
47. Vikki C - thank you. You make the most compassionate, sensible SENSE of anyone on this board. My kids are 14 and 20 now and, would you believe, after all these years I so fondly recall nursing them. It was truly one of the loveliest times of my life. I would like to add tho - my breasts were so damaged during my 2nd child that a LaLeche consultant told me to quit. It was a lactation consultant nurse who set me on the right path so I was able to continue without pain.
Pamela Grow at 12:23AM on Jan 20th 2008
48. I tried to breastfeed for a month but just wasn't producing. I tried pumping and it was miserable. For 30 minutes of pumping, I only got a half ounce of milk. I never tried to actually breastfeed in public. Jeez, the comments people would make just about breast milk in a bottle! So eventually, the dreaded formula.
Perhaps I'll have better luck next time around. The older ladies in my family say I will and I trust their experience! Even so, I would need to quit before I returned to work because there is no way I could pump at my job (school teacher hahaha).
I am still glad I tried to breast feed as long as I could. The comments about closeness are so true. It was worth every ache and shooting pain LOL
Julie at 8:39AM on Jan 20th 2008
49. Cheers!!! To the power of the breast!
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jackie at 11:04AM on Jan 20th 2008
50. A note to HAIKU1VT:
I am having a difficult time seeing the anaology between breast feeding and restless leg syndrome. If I am understanding you correctly, you think that women who pump instead of nurse are simply too lazy and selfish to take care of their baby properly; and people who claim to have Restless Leg Syndrome ("aka Lazy Leg Syndrome") are too lazy and selfish to...what? Stop twitching? Restless Leg Syndrome, despite it's dopy name, is a neuorlogical disorder related to Parkinson's Disease. It is treated primarly with low-dose Parkinson's drugs. I am dismayed to read that you produced three children. People as breathtakingly stupid as you should be sterilized for the good of humanity.
Lisa Wheeler at 1:48PM on Jan 20th 2008
51. I commend anyone who breastfeeds even if it is from a bottle. With that said there are other advantages that people don't realize when the baby actually nurses at the breast. The baby's muscular structure is better developed. The breast milk when suckled changes consistency quenching baby's thirst, then providing more fat filling up the baby. Lastly I believe there is more maternal bonding when you are skin to skin.
Amy at 4:50PM on Jan 20th 2008
52. When I was pregnant, over 5 years ago, I heard about the benefits of breastfeeding. I'm not sure where I heard it, but the main difference in bottle feeding breastmilk and nursing has to do with antibodies. When the child is fighting a cold or any type of infection, the saliva/milk exchange during nursing helps the mom develop antibodies for the child to fight the disease which is passed back to the child while nursing later. There were tough times during our time together and I did have some milk in the freezer in case I was going out. My husband was the "burper". Try as I might, I just couldn't get a good burp out of Andrew and he was a gassy baby. Hubby always got the good one. He also would take Andrew for a few hours between feedings so I could shower, sleep or relax. That's a great way for daddy's to bond with the little miracles.
Kaye Lynne at 5:15PM on Jan 20th 2008
53. breastfeeding produced NO milk for me. pumping was the only way my kids got any breastmilk. so don't knock it, you experts out there with perfect boobs who seem to think if you can do it, then the rest of us are just lazy!
amy at 5:22PM on Jan 20th 2008
54. Just wanted to get another word in for those of us who really can't breastfeed. I tried with my first for 4 1/2 weeks. I had mastitis the entire time (got it while still at the hospital), that, despite over 60 days of antibiotics along with many technique assessments (latch-on was great, everything going smoothly in that respect), turned into a multi-lobed abscess that required two drainings and weeks of packing and bandaging. I was left with internal scarring. All of this was caused by a physiological condition...narrow ducts. I'm sure there are other women with this condition, and other conditions, that prevent them from having success with breastfeeding.
BTW, all three of my children bonded closely with me and are happy, healthy individuals.
Lesli at 5:44PM on Jan 20th 2008
55. My mom breastfed 13 children. I kid you not. And she still looks pretty good at 86. I don't think it ever entered her head that there was any "sexualization" in breast feeding. It was her bonding time with her baby. I never had any kids, so don't ask me if I would do it......I'm a dog mom! And their mommies did it for me. LOL!
Betty Boop at 6:30PM on Jan 20th 2008
56. I breastfed my first for 6-1/2 months and then she weaned herself. My second child breastfed until he went off to public school, so for almost 6 years. The bonding between myself and my children is something that has passed the test of time. I never pumped and my second child never took a bottle. People who are uncomfortable with seeing a breast-feeding mother need to just look the other way. God gave women breasts for several reasons and one should not be "sexualized" more than another and breastfeeding is defnitely not meant to be sexual, otherwise God would not have installed mammary glands in the breast - they would be totally made up of adipose tissue. Neither of my children suffered any repercussions due to the length of their breastfeeding. People who have negative opinions of true breastfeeding should keep those opinions to themselves. It is as natural as the act of conceiving those children, and people definitely want to see more of that - SEX SELLS.
Trudy Gautier at 8:16PM on Jan 20th 2008
57. Just a quick note. When breastfeeding directly, the woman's body is able to produce antibodies very quickly for a child who becoming ill. This is one of those great feedback systems in nature that simply can't be reproduced with technology. Breastmilk from a bottle is infinitely superior to formula. However, we should not overlook the benefits of breastfeeding both to ourselves and to our children--and there are a great many. I know it can sometimes be hard when you start, especially if you do not have an experienced person to teach you, but it well worth the effort and even a few days of discomfort. Best of luck to you all!
tiffmumma at 9:21PM on Jan 20th 2008
58. It seems that a lot of parents think they are doing what is best for baby by working 8-10 hour days and leaving the sitter to feed the breastmilk. One of a child's greatest fears is that of abandonment. It is not about nutrition, but security that breast contact gives the infant. This type of security will lead to a very confident and independent adult
with fewer self-image problems. Our society could use more of these.If you really want to provide this type of security in the first 5 years, you can
work out a plan to be at home with your child until he goes to school. I came from a very meager background and did it. After my children went to school, I got my degree and now I am very fortunate to have a beautiful home and wonderfully secure children. Please be there for your baby/toddler.
Charlotte Sego at 7:36AM on Jan 21st 2008
59. I'm actually breastfeeding while I write this. I pump twice a week while I'm at work, but I love breastfeeding directly because I get that moment to pause, spend time with her and maybe even check online news. It's amazing to see how calming breastfeeding is on my baby. She can be sick or upset, but when I start nursing she gets totally relaxed. My husband wishes the bottle could do that the nights that I'm at work.
Breastfeeding can take some effort, but it's so worth it to give of yourself for one so precious.
Sarah at 9:25AM on Jan 21st 2008
60. The first function of the breast was NOT meant for sexual pleasure. It was meant to NURTURE mankind! The sexual pleasure is a bi product of having breasts. Any woman that gets off with her child nursuing has issues. I have 4 kids and breast feed them. I NEVER had sexual anything arrive out of nursing them. It was very different when my husband was on my breast versus my CHILD. In my mind, their was no need to make a disctinction, it was innate. Breastfeeding is what is best for the baby. Someone commented on the nuture aspect and that this is very true. It is critical that our kids receive the neccessary nuture required to keep them from becoming psychos. I understand the pain, the premies and all. The majority of the reason for pain is improper latching. This causes an unnatural slant of the nipple, bleeding of the nipple, etc. Making sure that we as a society will support breastfeeding moms is critical from day one and throughout. If someone is looking at you like you are crazy when you are nursing, look at them back. NO ONE would stop me from doing what is best for my child. NO ONE.
As far as getting the breast milk through pumps, hated them. I felt like a cow being milked. However, I had to work, so I did pump, with my hand. It was much less painful, I got more milk, and it was quicker. But I would never just give my kids milk through the bottle, simply because I didn't WANT to breastfeed. That is not cool. Physically, you give your child what is best, but you are missing out on some key moments.
Tasha at 10:02AM on Jan 21st 2008