Sometimes, no amount of reading before hand will overcome some challenges, like nipples and palates that just don’t match. If you’ve had this experience with your child, and tried all the contraptions (nipple guards, syringes, cheek rubbing, palm rubbing, etc) you’d know this too.

Breastfeeding is wonderful. It serves an amazing purpose. But those who can’t do it for legitimate reasons need not be made to feel inadequate.

And stress? That’s counterproductive and is known to actually diminish a woman’s amount of milk. Give the poor gal a bit of dark beer, she and her milk production will be better for it.

Yes, the good points are endless. And we mustn’t lose sight that sometimes, it just doesn’t work. When that happens chances are overwhelming that mom and baby will do just fine. Those who dont’ breastfeed according to everyone’s standards shouldn’t be ostracized for their choice.

As for pumping milk, the use of the bottles is comparable to formula-fed babies. The rental equipment uses electricity, unless of course mom is using a hand pump, which should never, never be recyled and used for another woman (something that also ends up in landfills, I suppose).

Unless a woman is exclusively breastfeeding, she’s not environmentally neutral.

Bonding via breastfeeding is amazing, and is as much about the eye contact as the latch. Please don’t minimize that for those moms who don’t breastfeed.

Endorse breastfeeding. It’s an experience unlike any other. Please, also allow space for mothers who don’t. They are as committed to the wellbeing of their children.

I think there are an adequate number of resources out there for women who have problems breastfeeding. I had problems and called “tech” support as it were and problems were solved. We need to spend more time reading books about after the pregnancy than before or during. And about pumping, most women I know rent pumps. There are few resources that are used in the process. Milk can be stored in plastic or glass reusable containers in the freezer. I think new moms *should* be stressed about breastfeeding. Stress helps us get things done and meet our goals. The good points are endless. The cons, well, I don’t know any. Maybe convenience.

On the topic of breast feeding. First of all, there are many formulas that have less protein, minerals, etc., so to minimize the value of alternative milk sources for this reason is a moot point.

Secondly, your suggestion that breast feedling continue for 2 years is offered in such a way as to suggest that anything less is invalid. There are many fine, healthy and contributing members of society today who were never breast fed. Granted, mother’s milk is nature’s best alternative (cheaper too as you mention), but second best isn’t failure. Nor is doing it for less time, or even supplementing breast milk.

As for all those bottles, no mention is made of the resources used to pump and store mothers milk. That adds up, and must be included in a discussion on the environmental benefits/challenges associated here.

Finally, you COMPLETELY gloss over the difficulties many women have with breast feeding. Inverted nipples, babies who don’t latch despite months of trying, inadequate breast milk despite MONTHS of trying, babies whose palates are too arched and therefore cannot latch, nipples that are too short, etc. etc. There are many times when pain isn’t the only limiting factor. To suggest otherwise is a disservice to women who have given it there breast shot, so to speak.

What a shame, really. In your effort to encourage a wonderful service to children and mothers everyone, particularly in a commununity that struggles with women’s rights, you’re article is likely to elevate the stress levels in new moms, who right now just need to know that their breasts are perfect, their babies are perfect, and if they can breast feed, fantastic. And if they cannot, isn’t it wonderful that we live in a world with so many options to ensure everyone’s wellbeing?