Jun 27, 2009
Why breast is best: because it’s all about me
Parenting is supposed to bring out that deep, unselfish part of you that doesn't mind getting up in the middle of the night and being alternately pooped and vomited upon. Maybe it worked for me and I'm more unselfish now that I used to be, but then again...
Maybe not.
I admire those Moms who breastfeed because it's a good thing to do. I'm not one of them. I breastfeed for purely selfish reasons:
1. I need to be needed.
There's nothing like being the only one able to provide food to make you feel needed. Sure, I can pump and someone else could give baby the bottle, but guess what? I'm still the source, baby. Talk about using your children to fill emotional voids? I am the queen.
2. I really like watching their little faces when they nurse.
It's probably somewhat the same with bottle feeding, but then you have to share. My son Zeke, the current nurser, is especially expressive. The early morning feedings are best. He's like a druggie getting his fix - head thrown back, eyes kind of rolling around and glazed over, and then that euphoric look when he gets full and just kind of collapses on my arm. Love it.
3. I'm lazy. Mixing bottles = work + mess.
Having to get out of bed in the middle of the night to feed the baby? Not for me. I like the roll over, pick up baby, stick boob in mouth method.
4. I am so not giving up the excuse to sit down and put my feet up at regular intervals throughout the day.
Other nursing moms get all excited about how quick their babies eat. Not me. Oh no. Mine are forced to 30-minute feeding sessions at a minimum, and I'm happy if I can make it 45. "I can't, I'm nursing," is a wonderful thing to be able to say.
5. I like having big boobs.
Oh, come on, you small-breasted women understand this. I was somewhere around a triple AAA when I got married; and I think there's a reason that corresponds to the size of a teeny tiny battery. That's about how big they were. My poor husband.
We got pregnant, my boobs expanded, and suddenly so did my wardrobe options! Peasant blouses? Yes! V-necks? Yes! Plain t-shirts in dark colors that used to make me look like a wimpy boy? Yes! No possibility of being mistaken for a male again.
I'm terrified of losing this lovely curvaceousness, so onward, forward with the breastfeeding train. I don't know what I'll do when it's time to wean this one, because we're not planning on more, at least not for a long time. Guess I better check out the implant options or it's back to major push-up bras for me...
image courtesy of
jessicafm.
I loved waking up and reading this post the first thing this morning during my 5:30 am nursing session with my 2 month-old. I agree with your whole list of breastfeeding reasons. I do it because I know it's the best for my baby, but the real reason is because I'm seriously lazy and don't want to have to fiddle with bottles and such. I also love the quiet moments alone that I got to have with the other two and now get to have with our third and final baby. Thanks for all of your wonderful posts.