So, which is easier: breastfeeding or using formula? It all depends on what you consider problematic. For instance, if money is no object, than formula is the easy choice. For those of you without kids and blissfully unaware of the ridiculous price of formula, be ready to shell out $20-$30 for a can when you need it. If a woman hates the idea of nursing in public or bottling her milk, again, formula is the way to go.
The best thing about breastfeeding is that it's basically free. I said "basically" because if you buy an electric pump ($120) and breast pads ($5 per box every few weeks), you will spend money but not much. Not only that, it's easy. A breastfeeding mom always has fresh food at the right temp for her kiddo, you know? If she's out running errands and realizes her baby's used all the bottles, no big deal. It's obviously convenient once you learn how to do it.
There is the catch, however. Though breasfeeding is natural, it's in no way instinctive. What I mean is, the first 2-4 weeks of breastfeeding is a nightmare for most women. It is easy not to get the technique right (yes, there is technique involved) and pay the price with sore (in extreme cases, even bleeding) breasts. It's not as simple as just showing the kid a breast and saying, "Here. Drink up." Remember, babies are just as inexperienced as moms are. They don't know how to drink without causing pain, and their eagerness to drink now doesn't help either.
To be honest, when I was single, I laughed at the idea of a "lactation consultant." I thought, "Wild animals breastfeed all the time; how hard can it be to learn?" But, consider the factors involved: a nervous mom, a stressful dad (he's not sure how to help), a crying baby, and a lack of sleep all around. Trust me, tears will flow. The despair of not doing it just right can quickly add to a mom's feeling of inadequacy. Worse, past generations were taught that formula was best for babies. Consequently, most of my generation was formula-fed, so we never learned how to breastfeed. For those MTBs wanting to breastfeed, be prepared for lectures from your mom or grandma with questions like, "Are you SURE she's eating enough?" and "If you give her formula, she won't cry like she does. What's wrong with giving her some?" I've gotten close to a snide, "Do you want to raise this kid or what?" when the topic comes up. I constantly had to defend myself for the first 6 weeks of Rain's life.
Eventually, though, people can see that, yes, your baby is growing like all other babies. She may have gotten chubby slower than her formula-fed counterparts, but she's putting on weight just as she should. So to those MTBs out there wanting to breastfeed: persevere. You will get it right. It will become so easy that you'll eventually be able to do it while doing almost anything else ... like read Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows (loved it, by the way). Don't let breastfeeding hurt. Call a consultant, read up on technique, call a friend--do whatever it takes to be comfortable. Some day soon, you'll be able to look down and see your baby happily drinking away while making the funniest faces you'll be glad you never missed.
Next time (and my last word on the subject for now): Rocket Breasts (The Absolute Funniest Thing About Breastfeeding).
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