Breastfeeding (Part 2)

Oh dear! I have offended quite a bit of readers. I am sorry. Well, as I have mentioned, everyone has a right to their own opinion. And no, I don't think any mother who breastfeed their children for a shorter period of time or do not breastfeed at all, love their children less. After all, as mentioned by 'anonymous', some babies are more demanding, and when you love your child very much, you want the best for him/her, the best from your own point of view, not others. A friend of mine is not able to breastfeed due to a complicated ailment, and several holds very demanding jobs that prevent them from doing so. But that does not mean they love their child any less. I am only upset that some mothers do not care that much about their babies and without trying, or finding out more, denounce breastfeeding as simply unnecessary.

I don't think breastfeeding will work if not done so willingly, or you don't feel happy or comfortable doing it. And many health care professionals agree. Therefore, it would be rather jesting to talk about bonding should you be under such conditions. I guess there goes an attack on NHS's views. According to Tsu Lin, bonding from breastfeeding is difficult to quantify. I agree. However, you can imagine the bond between you and your child under different situations.

1. You are a stay at home mother and your child doesn't know what a babysitter is.

2. You have a maid or an elderly at home to help care for your child while you are at work.

3. You place your child with a babysitter, parents or in-laws and collect him/her everyday after work.

4. You place your child with a babysitter, parents or in-laws and only bring him/her home in the weekend.

5. You place your child with a babysitter, parents or in-laws and never bring him/her home, only visits.

6. You place your child with a babysitter, parents or in-laws while you are working elsewhere and only see your child once a month or once a quarter, or maybe longer.

I have friends and relations who are in either of the above situations. And I observed huge differences in their parent-child relationships.

I cannot deny that, although I try to nurse Shen Liang as often as possible, he has also established a bond with my maid, since she's with him for long periods of time in the afternoon and she always talks to him, sings to him and laugh with him. So, does that make me a less committed mother? Some said yes, some said no. But if I don't breastfeed him altogether, I would feel that I am not doing enough for him throughout his infant years. Again, this is only my point of view.

As for health related benefits, I can only say from experience, and having the opportunity to be in the company of many children from time to time, from my observations as well. My brother and sister are breastfed, I am not. Over the years, they are stronger in terms of health, and well built, while I catch diseases easily and feel weak at times. I am always the first to catch a contagious desease at home. I am not blaming my mother for not breastfeeding me and therefore I am weak, but this may or may not be one of the reasons. According to a friend who runs a pre-school, she also observed that the majority (not all) of breastfed children are less prone to illnesses such as cough and cold. However, as for allergies, I doubt there's enough proof.

How long should one breastfeed? Again this depends on personal preference. Working Mom has been doing it for eight and a half months, and still breastfeeding. Bravo! Pumping milk all the time is not an easy task. And she is happy doing it is indeed great. I am not sure I can continue to breastfeed that long, but I will try. As much as I like to encourage direct breastfeeding, and I try to do so as much as possible, I have a feeling I will resort to 100% bottle feeding as soon as Shen Liang develops teeth! At the moment, I am not thinking about it, taking things one step at a time. After all, Wan's sister is still breastfeeding and her kid is already two. Salute! Salute!