World Breastfeeding Week..

In honor of World Breastfeeding week (a day late), I wanted to share my nursing journey. But instead of doing that, I’m going to give it to you straight; my true feelings about breastfeeding.I love it!  I love it for me, I love it for my boys. I love that it’s worked for us, that we haven’t come across any issues; latching, mastitis, or otherwise. I love that I’m comfortable nursing just about anywhere and that it’s been convenient for me (for the most part.) But, mostly, I love that I could care less what other people think of MY decision to nurse MY babies, just like I could care less about YOUR method of feeding YOUR baby. Yup. SURPRISE. This isn’t some “look at me I nurse my kids” post. Sorry, not sorry.

Bottom line, I breastfeed. Big whoop. Why should I feel special for feeding my baby? I don’t see moms giving their babies bottles and shouting “bottle is best, screw breastfeeding!” Unfortunately, I see and hear way too much negativity in the breastfeeding world, and I refuse to be a part of it.  Likewise, I refuse to join the “bash moms who breastfeed, just because” group.  Why is it assumed that because I breastfeed my kids, that I have “entitled brat” written across my forehead?  Can’t I just feed my damn kid and NOT preach to others that they’re not moming right because they chose formula where I chose my ta ta’s?  Can’t I just be a mom, feeding her baby, rather than some loud mouth know it all?  Can’t I make my own decisions without trying to be better than a fellow mom?  Can’t I just be, without worrying about what someone else is going to think or say?  I sure can!  And you better believe I am.

Now, to all of my fellow nursing mommas, RELAX!  I’m not criticizing you.  Unless you are a rude, judgmental nursing mom, then, I am criticizing you.  And a message to those judging; who are YOU to judge another mom?  Seriously.  Why are you better, simply because you choose to breastfeed?  Has it ever crossed your mind that maybe, just maybe, that mom you saw at the mall, making a bottle of formula, wanted to breastfeed her baby, but couldn’t?  Has it ever crossed your mind that the same mom tried, really hard, to breastfeed.  That she stayed up fighting a screaming, hungry baby.  Bought all the lactation cookies and drinks.  Read all the books, sought out all advice, did whatever she could to make it work, all to realize that it wasn’t going to.  Have you thought about how horrible that mom may (or may not) feel because she couldn’t {or chooses not to} breastfeed?  Do you think she needs anymore criticism or judgment?  Probably not.  And again, is it any of your business?  NOPE!

Don’t worry, I’m not forgetting all you formula moms.  Just a reminder, not all breastfeeding moms are judging you!  The mean ones give us all a bad name, but I promise you, we’re not all b*tches.  You rock that formula!

So instead of honoring World Breastfeeding week, I say, WHO CARES!  I honor every mom for feeding your kids whichever way you see fit, and I ask you to do the same.  Support this amazing sisterhood that only WE are a part of.  Get over the fact that no mom will ever do exactly as you do, and support the fact that she overcomes the chaos, just like you!  Unite in motherhood, community over competition, do you, and don’t judge me for doing me.