Breastfeeding

It is World Breastfeeding Week (August 1 – August 7). I don’t know whether I’d still be breastfeeding this time next year, or if we’d have another kid – so this may be the only time this week really truly concerns me, and hits very close to home.

I did not, and still have not set any goals for my breastfeeding self. Before the arrival of The Baby, whenever someone asked me if I’d be breastfeeding, my answer was always that I plan to if I could. I read and heard about some women’s challenges and heartache in their breastfeeding experience – and I did not know what to expect for myself. It’s 8 weeks in now and I’ll keep going for as long as I can. Despite the physical pain and all other challenges and learning curve, I must say I’ve been enjoying being able to breastfeed, and feel lucky that I have been able to do so.

Many things are going on worldwide this week – to normalize breastfeeding, spread awareness, correct misconceptions etc. I don’t know that much, and haven’t done this long enough to call myself anything – I am certainly no pro. I will definitely say this – I owe it to all these women (and men!) whose collective efforts have made my own experience easier: information and breastfeeding necessities / accessories (pumps, breastpads, storage stuff, pumping kits) are widely and easily available – I imagine many women would be discouraged to continue breastfeeding, and indeed may not be able to continue once they have to go back to work if such things aren’t so easily available, and come at a broad price range too – because accessibility and affordability are both important and while the milk itself is free – the things you need to extract the milk (excluding the baby) – pumps and its attendant items – and to safely store them can add up and be costly.

To the many women taking breastfeeding selfies to normalize breastfeeding, thank you! I truly enjoy such pictures, and I didn’t understand the complexity of emotions involved until now. I understand not everyone will echo my sentiments – even among fellow moms and breastfeeding ladies – and that’s fine. Anything that disrupts the status quo is bound to cause some discomfort at first.

And speaking of discomfort, while I have embraced breastfeeding personally, I understand that for many men and women, the function (and aesthetics) of breasts remain more venereal instead of nutrimental. And so yes – the sight of a woman breastfeeding in public, with OR without covering up might cause some discomfort. But the woman has equal rights to exist in the same public spaces as everyone else – to feed her child or to express milk, without being subject to rude stares, comments, or be shamed in anyway. Under absolutely no circumstances it is EVER acceptable to ask the woman to go somewhere else to feed / pump – with “helpful” suggestions such as the restroom. SO many mothers have been subject to such appalling behavior that it is unbelievable – would anyone prepare any foodstuffs, or voluntarily eat in the toilet? So even if it causes you some discomfort, well, look and/or walk away. We are all adult enough to have dealt with, and to continue to have to deal with many different uncomfortable situations without resorting to inexcusable behavior. Your discomfort in this situation is not a valid reason to be rude or intervene.

To breastfeeding moms worldwide – we all know it is not easy. It is painful, back-breaking work, and many aspects of it cannot be delegated to our fellow co-parent or another care-giver. But that is okay – our gorgeous, sweet smelling babies certainly make it worthwhile! Kudos to you and I J