Re: "Time Wasting Rules" - from Real Simple Magazine - NOT GOOD!

[Jarkat2002]

>OK -- but how was that simpler than:
>
>1) Sit down
>2) Plop out breast(s)?

For SOME ppl it is that easy, but not everyone.

This is what BFing entails for me.

Rent a hospital grade pump.
See a multitude of lactation consultants and a myriad of LLL meetings also
multiple discussions w/ LLL leaders (even speaking w/ LLL leaders that have
experience w/ my BFing issues out of state and the country)
Store pumped milk
Fill a finger tube feeder.
Feed w/ finger tube.
Clean and sterilize all equipment.
Buy extra tubing.
Buy storage bags.

Buy nursing shields (several types to find what DD can handle)
Then ... after using the finger feeder it was off to buy a Supplemental Nursing
System.
Then train DD to use the SNS. (didn't work)
Clean all the parts, and sterilize.
Then after that didn't work very well, buy nipples and bottles and bags (I use
playtex bottles w/ the bags because the other 10 or so kinds of bottles and
nipples that we tried didn't work.) and fill w/ breast milk.
More pumping. More pumping. And more pumping.
I am sure I missed quite a few steps along explaining our BFing journey ... But
I'm sure you get the idea.
We are on opposite ends of the spectrum ... for you it has been extremely easy,
for me it has been extraordinarily difficult. Most people are somewhere
in-between and who is anyone else to make a judgment on the feeding choice that
a mother makes for her own child, self, and family.
A few days ago I was feeding DD at a restaurant. (DD gets formula as well as
breast milk at this time) A woman asked me "is that formula or breast milk?" I
said formula, she gave me a dirty look, shook her head, and turned her back to
me.
Bitch.
IF she only had any idea.
~Kat



Planet Claire has pink air
All the trees are red
No one ever dies there
No one has a head

[Michelle J. Haines]

In article >, jarkat2002
@aol.comB52s says...
>
> We are on opposite ends of the spectrum ... for you it has been extremely easy,
> for me it has been extraordinarily difficult. Most people are somewhere
> in-between and who is anyone else to make a judgment on the feeding choice that
> a mother makes for her own child, self, and family.

And for me, breastfeeding my second child included surgery so he
could have a stomach tube placed, medical equipment, a big-ass old
fight with the doctors about whether or not I should be giving him my
breastmilk, and several hundred dollars worth of banked milk to help
resolve the argument. (Luckily, after he died, they forgave the
bill.) Also, feeding through a nasal cannula at first, then going to
the stomach tube, then trying to let him nipple on a bottle a little
before finishing it up with putting it through his stomach tube, etc.
Because of his brain damage, he was physically incapable of nursing
from a breast or a bottle.

This is very extreme, though. In general, breastfeeding is going to
be less costly and more simple than formula feeding, although it may
or may not take more of your time and you might have shirts that
smell like milk all day, like I tend to.

> A few days ago I was feeding DD at a restaurant. (DD gets formula as well as
> breast milk at this time) A woman asked me "is that formula or breast milk?" I
> said formula, she gave me a dirty look, shook her head, and turned her back to
> me.
> Bitch.
> IF she only had any idea.

The correct response was, "None of your business." You don't have to
justify your choices to anyone. I don't go through contortions to
explain why I weaned my first daughter early. I will if asked, but I
don't feel guilty about it. Some regret, but not guilty. You live
and learn and make different choices.

I do have one instance of bottle-giving that I feel guilty about, but
it relates to Xander and his illness as well.

Michelle
Flutist

--
In my heart. By my side.
Never apart. AP with Pride!
Katrina Marie (10/19/96)
Xander Ryan (09/22/98 - 02/23/99)
Gareth Xander (07/17/00)
Zachary Mitchell (01/12/94, began fostering 09/05/01)
Theona Alexis (06/03/03)