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 6 of 6)
76. in response to Vikki C:
As a woman with fibrocystic breasts I agree that nursing can be difficult. I nursed my first baby for one full year. I can also tell you that it wasn't the pain that caused me to stop breastfeeding my second child. It was the comments and stares and abuse I took. I always had a small blanket draped over my shoulder and never exposed an inch of flesh in public but still found myself regularly picked on by the ignorant public. The real shame is not in pointing out the obvious oversexualization of the female breast but the fact that women allow ourselves to be swayed by such nonsense. We should be proud of doing right by our children.
AMajor at 1:35PM on Feb 11th 2008
77. I have been pumping for my son for 18 months now! I had major problems and it was my only option. I hate having to do it and cleaning all the parts but I know my son is getting the best and I am so proud of myself!!
I would give anything to have my son latch on!! Hopefully moms will stop deciding to pump unless they have no option... There's a reason they say Breast is Best!
rhiannonolson at 4:10AM on Apr 2nd 2008