Abstract
Dear Editor:
I would like to offer a comment on the article in this journal by Todd Wolynn entitled “Breastfeeding—So Easy Even a Doctor Can Support It.” 1 I am a pediatrician and a mother who understands the importance of encouraging breastfeeding. I, along with many of my highly educated, motivated, well-read, lactation-consulting friends, had difficulty with breastfeeding. Some of us were able to combine breastfeeding/pumped breastmilk with formula supplementation. Others, despite much trying and crying, were unable to breastfeed at all or for the extent of time they wished.
The pressure on women to breastfeed can be overwhelming and causes significant distress to those of us who cannot breastfeed exclusively. I have seen many parents essentially starving their newborns, accepting very poor weight gain, in order to comply with the pressure to breastfeed. How has it come to the point where I, and many of my friends, felt shame giving our babies a bottle in public?
Breastfeeding is a highly politicized and emotional topic, and I am sure there are people who will disagree with my commentary. I would argue, however, that there is not enough public understanding that breastfeeding does not work for everyone. Why must there be so much criticism and judgment surrounding breastfeeding? Everyone's circumstances are unique, and every individual has her own story. Certainly, for many women, breastfeeding is accomplished with minimal support and teaching. But that is not true for all of us, and I would ask for compassion and recognition that some of us, out of love for our babies, have to let go of our own desire to exclusively breastfeed and give our children the nutrition that they need through other means.
I agree that any interested woman should be given the support needed to try breastfeeding, but not with the overtone that parental love and concern equal breastfeeding.