Just as birthing has been portrayed in our culture as difficult and painful, so too has breastfeeding. The fact is that the vast majority of mothers and babies can breastfeed with few to no difficulties. Mother’s bodies and babies know what to do. As with birthing, positive expectations, good support from family, friends and care providers, and trust in the process are necessary. Interventions in the natural process such as bathing and measuring the baby immediately after birth, are unnecessary and babies who are allowed the golden hour and self-attach rarely have problems.
The physiological part behind breastfeeding is when a baby begins to nurse, it triggers a release of your natural oxytocin. This causes the tiny muscles around the milk glands to contract, releasing the milk into the ducts, where it flows to the nipple. Most mothers feel a tingly sensation in the nipples when the milk ejection reflex or “let-down” occurs, and milk begins to flow from both nipples. Without the let-down, baby will get very little milk.
Just as in labor, oxytocin flows best when a mother is relaxed. HypnoBirthing relaxation techniques are very helpful during the months and years of breastfeeding
Personally I have breastfed 2 and a half years and most of the time I loved it. Being able to nurse my baby and see her grow on my milk was an amazing feeling. In awe with my body that was able to grow, birth and feed my baby. I believe I’ve never felt more powerful. But I also realize that breastfeeding is not for everyone.
Breastfeeding is not for everyone
Every mother is free to choose and decide how long and how and if she likes to breastfeed. The choice to not breastfeed is being judged enormously! Supporting someone that chooses to do the opposite of what you think is ‘correct’ can be challenging because of your own beliefs that are true for you. It does not mean that those beliefs are true for everyone. If a mother is feeling stressed and judged for not breastfeeding, her overall emotional state goes down, making postpartum even tougher than it already is. Is that what we really want? Reach out if you need resources for the best way how to handle not to breastfeed, the best thing after donor milk, and so on. You are not alone.
The freedom to choose
Disposable diapers vs washable ones
Carrying your baby vs going around with a buggy
Bottle feeding your baby vs breastfeeding your baby
Vaccinating your baby vs not vaccinating
Using the regular products for your baby vs using all natural
The judgements towards all the above creates distance, separation and low self esteem. Instead we as women have one huge commune binder and that is that we love our children. We would give the world for them and we would move mountains if that were needed. But how we raise our children is no one else’s business than your own. It takes courage to walk off the mainstream but believe me when I say that exactly this is what connects you to YOUR instincts.
