Mother lashes out at breastfeeding mafia: ‘Breast or bottle? What does it matter’

During her first pregnancy, Shannon was determined to breastfeed her child. “I was told that my son would otherwise develop health problems and become less intelligent than his peers,” she says. ‘But after a heavy delivery, breastfeeding wouldn’t get going. We were both in tears at every feeding session – him with hunger, me with frustration. ‘

Growing fast

Unfortunately, the help of a lactation consultant did not change that. ‘After two weeks I was dealing with an enormous feeling of guilt. Until a friend suddenly said it was okay not to breastfeed. I thought, why? Wasn’t formula formula like pouring diet coke into your baby’s mouth? But she said, “You are the most important. Your baby only needs you. ‘ I realized she was right. I had completely forgotten myself because of all the stress. ‘

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Shannon started feeding her son with formula. ‘And you know? I was still the best mom I could be. My son ate and grew like crazy. He is now eleven and has not had more illnesses than his peers. He’s doing great at school – in fact he’s one of the healthiest, most athletic kids I know. ‘

Benefit or not

When her daughter was born two years later, she was able to breastfeed. ‘I fed her for six months and she too – now nine years old – is super healthy and smart. I have wondered if I gave her an unfair advantage over my son. But the longer I have been a mother, the more I realize there are so many other ways I can do it “wrong” with my kids. The type of milk I gave them the first year is irrelevant. ‘

Shannon concludes her blog by saying that every mother should do what feels right for her. ‘That can be different for every mother and every child. But whether it’s the breast or the bottle, as far as I’m concerned, both are fine. ‘