C'mon Gazette staff, you're getting a little too sensitive. Not all of us can be SarahB with a daily dose of "I pray for the families" or "Thanks for a great story" with a pinch of peace, love and all that other good stuff. I understand that our postings have rules and guidelines, but some of these idiots (wwr1961) have made it way too easy for a little backlashing...or "caning" if you have followed any of his posts.
Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays to everyone.......wait, which one of those are we not supposed to say anymore? I can't remember.

Have a great December everybody.

Pahtu, you are not alone. I breastfed my first child initially, I thought I was doing everything I could for her, until I brought her into her 1st check up to find her very dehydrated. I was crushed and felt I had failed her in my first motherly duty. I also worked with dr’s and nursing assistants and was never able to produce more than half an oz. My inability to feed her sent her back the the hospital for a few days until she was rehydrated. Kudos to all of the woman out there that are able to breast feed their children, to the rest of us that couldn’t, or chose not to, you are every bit as much a mother. Raising children is hard how you feed them doesn’t change that. I think our society as a whole can use more education on breast feeding

Hanna, some 4-6 month old babies have teeth its just one more thing a bf mother gets to work around. the age the mother chooses to stop breastfeeding her child, is her choice not yours perhaps if you became a mother yourself you will have a broader view point. Out of curiosity how many 4 year olds have you witnessed requesting milk from their breast feeding mother? i for one have not encountered that situation. Also, is recommended that parents try to start weaning a child from a bottle at 1 not 3 or 4. At that age they should be using a regular cup. Would you have thought it odd if that mother at sears was bottle feeding her child? We can not have it both ways, if you want mothers to stop feeding formula we need to respect their need to feed their children. Why should a woman be shunned or sent to a dark corner if her baby is hungry. Perhaps the bathroom would be more appropriate place for her…. *sarcasm* If that mother let her baby wail im sure you’d have thought to yourself she should be doing something for that baby not just ignoring it. Then again she could have chose the food court, or one of the benches in the middle of the mall. There isn’t really a *private* seating area in the mall. Would you find it distasteful to see a mother dog feeding her pups, even if there were *gasp* witnesses?

hannah - you are right - it is weird for a child who can ask for it to still breastfeed. Pumping and giving it to them in a cup is ok - but having a walking talking kid breastfeed is freaky

Pahtu, I'm sorry that you feel others are trying to make you feel guilty. That surely isn't my intention in any of my posts. It sounds like you gave breastfeeding a huge effort and unfortunately you are among the few women who physically cannot do it. You shoudln't feel ashamed or guilty at all. Just ignore the comments that are rude and know that you did everything you could.

Hannah, I'm glad you are asking these questions because you are severly mistaken about breastfeeding. Yes, my daughter has teeth. Yes, she eats lots solid foods but she still needs liquids for hydration. She drinks lots of water and gets her milk from me. Nothing strange about that. Her teeth don't interfere at all. Besides, a lot of babies get teeth at 3 or 4 months old and they keep on breastfeeding.
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And no, I don't breastfeed soley because my children don't have teeth. I breastfeed because it is optimal nutrition for babies and toddlers; even after they start solid foods.
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I don't see the correlation between weaning a toddler off a bottle and breastfeeding a toddler being wierd? You wean a toddler from a bottle because prolonged bottle use can be bad for their teeth and a toddler can typically use a regular cup. Breastfeeding does not negatively effect teeth. Sure, some mothers pump and give breastmilk to their toddler in a cup but HOW they get it really is not relevant.

As a first time mother of a 4 month old some of these posts are unbelievable to me. I tried and tried and tried to bf my daughter. I lasted 6 weeks. I tried everything with the help of a lactation consultant and my Dr. I had the support of my husband as well. I love my daughter and in the end feeding her formula was the best decision I could make for her. I did not produce enough milk to satisfy her hunger even with the help of herbal supplements and pumping. To make mothers feel guilty for not bf is ridiculous. And to tell me that I am somehow less of a mother to my daughter because I made the desicion to not bf is disguisting. Shouldn't we as mothers be joining together to offer support instead of acting holier than thou? Shame on all of you who are trying to make women feel guilty for their decision to formula feed!

I think we need to look at some historical reasons black women shun breastfeeding. The reasons are deeply rooted, and the answers need to come from black women themselves. Please see article:

Is it Cultural Elitism to Teach, or Not to Teach, Breastfeeding?"
http://www.breastpumpmama.com/AllTheBrea...

LOL Hannah. My 2 year old daughter knows how to ask for water, too...should she not be aloud that either? So how is it any different if she can ask for mothers milk? Nursing is not sexual or odd in any way, whether that nursling be a newborn or a toddler. YOU only think it's "gross" or "wrong" because breastfeeding a toddler is not accepted in our culture. I know it can be hard to understand and accept something foreign to you but it really is no one's business to be calling such a beautiful and NORMAL thing gross or "mentally wrong." I promise you that my toddler is only benefitting from still breastfeeding and she is perfectly well in the head. :)

WHy is it wrong? Many young mothers who formula feed(not all though) have fallen into the pratice of taking off with friends and leaving their young children with sitters or family. This can lead to feelings of resentment from family and creates an inviromnet where the child is suffled from one person to another, ahving little stablity in their life.

Before I attended a La Leche League meeting, I had never heard of attachment parenting, promoted heavely by Dr. William Sears. But this parenting style leads to happy, well ajusted children, and breastfeeding is a large part of that.

AS for my feeling that if it were not for nursing I would be less deadicated, it is how I feel. If I was using formula I would be out of the house at least 8 hours a day trying to pay for it. My mother and I joke though, that if we were using formula I would beliving under the proch because of the cost of heating this winter. I t would not come to that I hope, but I shows how with the unstable ecomnomy, the choice to breastfeed can benifit more then baby, but the whole family, reliving some of the finacial burden that comes with a new baby.

footvillegirl.

Good for you on breastfeeding and sticking to your *right* to parent your child.

Have you visited www.girlmom.com? There are LOTS of articles/support there for younger mothers. There's even meetups.

"As a single teenage mother, I feel that if it were not for bf, I would not a dedicated parent"

This comment is sad and wrong on so many levels....

hannah, Why is it not right? Since the begianing of time baby have been bf, and through that time they were feed on average to the age of at least 5, some more some less. For a women expected to work in the feilds, she would have to do some thing to keep her child satisfied, so she nursed. They were carried next to the body and would nurse and sleep there. as they got older, the time decressed, since they would be on the move alot as kids are. BUt the nursing continued, it was more then just nutrition, and in a time were 1/3 of childrened died, the sharing of immunities was crucial! Also you need to consider taht mothers and fathers shared their bed with the youngest child, which promots the nursing relationship.

In today's world it may not be feisable for mothers to nurse that long, but it does still have more benifits then formula ever will. The World Health Organization recomends bf untill 2 years of age atleast, and then continued until a time both mother and child are ready for weaning.

As a single teenage mother, I feel that if it were not for bf, I would not a dedicated parent, nursing creates a bond between mother and child that knows no bonds. I feel that my bf gives my son the best advantage in this time in his life. I may not be able to give him t newest games or clothes, but he will have the healthiest start a baby can have.

P.S. I have a terrible cold as I type, but my son was only sick for a few days, with no problems, only congestion, while I cotinue to sufer. I would rather have myself sick then a sick baby who has no idea why they are suffering, even through to cold I sleep better at night because of breastfeeding!

Oh, and localboy i was edicated in publik schools

I was not brestfed and consider myself very inteligant. I no alot of indiveduls who were brestfed they arn't so smart.

Evansville wife dental work is expensive so I'd watch the teeth grinding. I am not saying the only reason mine or anyone's children intelligence level is only from nursing I'm saying it helps along with the other health benefits. I wasn't breast fed nor was my husband and we are both fairly intelligent. I just thought perhaps it would be an incentive for someone on the fence on whether to formula or breast feed. I can only guess as to why you are so adamant that it has no IQ benefits at all. But I appreciate your grandiose opinion and hope you have a wonderful day.

I read the title of this racist article and am speechless. The title should have said Group reaches out to mothers. NOT call out a group. Its 2008 almost 2009 and we still have racists writing articles. Nice one Gazette.

I have no argument that breast milk is healthier its just wrong to target just "blacks" and in case it matters I'm white.

I have 4 children. 2 nursed- 2 not. Every other one. 1st and 3rd nursed, 2nd and 4th not. They are ALL very intelligent- top of the highest reading and math groups. My 3 year old is beginning spelling words (NOT breastfed), and my 10 year old did an accelerated "pre-chemistry" program last year. It has little to do with nursing. It has to do with stability, appropriate environment, parental dedication, educational toys, not being "parked" in front of a TV, knowing they are loved and valued, and, taking every opportunity to teach. Yes, statistically breastfeeding increases IQs. Unfortunately, it is only by a couple of points (which is unmeasurable in daily activities).

Stuckhog, there's nothing more teeth grinding than a self- aggrandizing mother extolling the virtues of her genius child because she let forth her milky breasts. I'm sure a good environment, reading, educational readiness, and appropriate discipline played a role, but no... you'd like to lay the lion's share of the children's intelligence on nipple exposure.

I hope that all those mothers with double mastectomies are ashamed and forgetting their dreams of a child with a high IQ, as they should be!

(Seriously... to all of you who loved your children and bottle fed, way to go. TO those of you who nursed, either once in the hospital or 76 months... you are awesome two.)

Now let's raise some babies!!!

stuckhog- None of my children were breastfed.They are all on High honor roll! 3 nephews and 2 nieces werebreastfed. 3 are B-C students at best, 1 gets more D's than anything else and 1 didn't even finish high school. I'd say that study is flawed.

and some more
http://askdrsears.com/html/2/T020200.asp...
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/11988...

Here you go Evansvillewife...
Breastfeeding and intelligence (IQ)

Studies on breastfeeding and intelligence generally show that breastfeeding has a positive effect on the child's IQ.

For example, in a study of more than 3,000 young men and women from Copenhagen, Denmark, it was found that infants breastfed for nine months grew up to be significantly more intelligent than infants breastfed for one month or less. This study took into account 13 similar factors related to the mother's health, wealth and behavior when analyzing the difference between the scores of more-breastfed and less-breastfed young adults. The significant differences held up after they were factored in.

A study published in 2007 found a VERY interesting relationship between breastfeeding and intelligence: it showed that whether breastfeeding affects a child's intelligence depends on a certain gene. In 90% of the children, the gene is such a way that breastfeeding DOES affect the child's intelligence, probably by affecting the fatty acid metabolism, or the way the body processes fatty acids. In the remaining 10%, breastfeeding versus bottle-feeding has no effect on intelligence.

This important finding now sheds some light on the previous studies that have had mixed results: there is another confounding factor there, in the children's genetic material. But it further confirms the intellectual advantage breastfeeding can give for 90% of the children. (And of course even the 10% are helped by breast milk in other ways.)

At least one country (can't remember which one) requires new mothers to nurse their babies for a certain amount of time. Not only for the benefits of the nutrients and antibodies, but for bonding purposes. Mothers who bond with their babies tend to be more protective, nurturing, responsible towards their care, etc.

Right on!

MikeF - it's wrong to assume that birth control is not an option for Catholics (as they do have one allowed form of birth control), or that Catholics have large families.
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Ok, I know I'm risking turning this into a religious diatribe, but my point is that everyone makes assumptions, ttyl1023 did and so did you.
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So. Let's. Move. On.

No I do not wish to retract it. I could care less what religion she is - why are you defending her? Stop going on and on about it already. Get over it.

Since I am not the one who assumed she had a 7 year old still breastfeeding and saying her 76 months are abnormal, I don't think it is really me that should be answering the question of "do you know her?"
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Lets look at the numbers. 12 years is 144 months, which she has spent 76 nursing. That is 68 months not nursing. Let's assume she has 4 kids. That would be 36 months between each one and 19 months of nursing each one. With 5 kids that goes to 28.8 months between and 18 months nursing.
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You may think that 4 or 5 kids is excessive, but her other posts reveal that she is a devout Catholic, so birth control is not an option. Catholics are notorious for having large families so actually 4 or 5 kids could almost be considered a low number for 12 years, but let's not criticize her for that.
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So, does nursing 76 out of the last 144 months still sound excessive to you? Do you still think she has a 7 year opening her shirt? Do you wish to retract your rude comment from this morning?

How do you know I was wrong? Do you know Maryfan?

I had to look back at all my comments to be sure, but my only comments here were concerning your comments attacking Maryfan, specifically "Wow - 76 months of breastfeeding.... not normal - are you one of those people who has a 7 year old opening your shirt and saying "Milk please mom?" I am all for breastfeeding - but there needs to be a cut off point."
I was merely pointing out how you were apparently wrong concerning her length of time breastfeeding, but your only response is to tell me to keep my comments to myself and then going on about how some women find it difficult to breastfeed. Since you are not replying to my point about her apparently having multiple children, I can only presume that you overlooked that, realize now that you were wrong, and cannot bring yourself to admit it and instead are trying to deflect the discussion and distract everyone from your rude comment.

Maryfan stated that "it is not ok" for a woman to not breastfeed if she thinks it is too hard. Obviously you or Maryfan have no idea how difficult it can be for some women to breastfeed - it is ultimately the woman's choice. Again - since you WILL NEVER be able to breastfeed - I suggest you stop commenting like you know what it is like and the challenges that breastfeeding and non-breastfeeding mothers face. Unless you are actually able to breastfeed (by being a woman) - you have no significance in this debate.

MikeF - you should probably take your own advice....

ttyl1023, until you know someone's personal situation, YOUR opinion is devoid of any significance. So, do you know Maryfan personally and know that she has a 7 year old still nursing? Or do you think the part where she stated "over 12 years" just might mean that she has multiple children?

Ugh, I hope this is a joke Dalmatia:
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""Well personally I don't see what the issue is. All you gotta do is run down to the K-Mart and get you a gallon of milk. Babies will drink it, I know cause my friend has a baby and she told me about it once. She said "Girl let me tell you..this baby will drink him some milk." So anyway why does it matter if it comes from breasts or cow teets? Milk is milk. Shoo'.""

MikeF, until you are able to carry, birth, and bfeed a child your opinion is devoid of any significance

exactly what I am talking about evansvillehousewife.... that is disgusting

What is the point in posting that, housewife??

And to everyone saying that it's a choice and should be no one else's business, of course that is true but our society as a whole would be better off if more women chose to breastfeed. It is fact proven that babies exclusively breastfed for the first 6 months of life have fewer illnesses.
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Here is an excerpt from a petition to bring Breastfeeding education to the nation's attention:
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"There is virtually universal agreement among health care experts that, with rare exceptions, breastfeeding is the optimal method of feeding all infants, sick as well as healthy, preterm as well as full term. In addition to the myriad health benefits provided to mother and infant, breastfeeding provides significant economic and environmental benefits for families, employers, and society by reducing health care expenses, eliminating the need to purchase expensive formula, and reducing absenteeism from work to care for sick infants. Excess health care costs totaling more than $4 billion must be paid by the U.S. health care system each year to treat otitis media, gastroenteritis, and necrotizing enterocolitis--childhood diseases and conditions preventable or reduced by breastfeeding. When prevention of obesity, diabetes, and other chronic conditions is factored in, the potential economic benefits of breastfeeding are significantly greater."

Um.. this woman lets her kids self wean.
She's 8 now and showing no signs of slowing...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fxv6R9fUO...

Um.. this woman lets her kids self wean.
She's 8 now and showing no signs of slowing...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fxv6R9fUO...

And please, enough of the "I breast fed and now my child is a genius" schtick. There are just as many formula fed kids graduating magna cum laude. Give some credit to the kid's hard work rather than what flows from your teats.

I think it is wonderful and due time that WIC is changing their food program. I think putting an emphasis on breastfeeding support and education is fantastic. I was on WIC for a short time when my 1st daughter was a baby and the staff was pretty surprised that we were still nursing at 6 months, let alone planning to nurse well past a year. They didn't seem prepared for this and still offered the loads of free formula. We did get a nice blanket for making it past the 4 week mark.
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I hope the new food plan works and they scale way back on the free formula they give out. I know that in my first few weeks of getting the hang of Breastfeeding, had I had a can of formula sitting around I probably would have given up with BF and given her formula. I didn't know about La Leche League back then and had to rely on a little bit of family support to keep going.
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I don't think Breastfeeding is a skill although it really is neccessary to arm yourself with all of the information possible and have a strong support team. Getting to know other women who have done or who are breastfeeding is crucial. Breastfeeding should not be hard but when things do get tough (which they can easily get tough with a new mother, I know.) then having a friend to call or lactation consultant is so helpful.
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I don't know why the breastfeeding success rates are so low among African Americans but the fact is that they are and I am so grateful that WIC and the Nutrition and Health Association is doing something about it.

Uh... warm? A date? Unless you count the overseas trips with my husband, I haven't had a date in well over a decade.

You know, respect, fidelity.... you should try it sometime.

As far as my safety...pshht. I've had plenty of death threats already, and I'm still alive. Being an ace with my Glock doesn't hurt.

And despite the super health freaks opinions, you don't have to eat like an organic vegan to breastfeed....

One small down-side to breastfeeding was that my boyfriend was jealous. He wanted to feed the baby and would sneak a bottle in. Occasionally would be ok-but the last thing I wanted was engorged breasts.
Breastfeed, don't breastfeed-like it or not it is a choice. If the baby is being fed and loved who cares.

My wife breastfed all of our kids. Each one lasted 10-11 months. I was 100% supportive and helped any way I could. I was the one who got up at night with the kids, changed their diapers, then brought them to my wife in bed for feeding. I'd then burp the child and put him back in his crib. We faced distinct opposition from both grandmothers of our kids. They made it quite clear they felt it was somehow wrong to bf children since formula was readily available. My wife worked PT after each birth and would pump milk to be frozen. I'd then be able to feed the baby when she was away at work or wherever. It was a lot of work (and not a small amount of pain) to have to pump but I'm darn proud of her for sticking with it. In most cases, mother's milk is indeed best. There are extenuating circumstances, such as poor production, allergies, etc., that prevent a mother from breastfeeding. Those mothers should not be made to feel ashamed or in some way made out to be poor mothers. Some things just can't be helped. But, on the other hand, mothers who do choose to breastfeed should not be made to feel embarrassed or that they are somehow doing something wrong. It is completely natural and healthy for both mom and child.
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While it is natural, it is a SKILL to be learned by both mom and child. And, each child is a bit different. Think of it like this - the ability to speak is inherent in most people. When you were born, you had all the tools - mouth, lips, tongue, air flow, vocal cords. But, you had to learn how to use them properly. Same thing with breastfeeding. Just having the breast and a child isn't always enough. Often, a teacher or mentor is needed to at least show the basics of the process.
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All of our kids are bright, energetic, and very healthy. I can't say that would be different if they were formula-fed but I can say that bf certainly didn't hurt them in any way!

There are some circumstances when you no matter what you do you can not breastfeed.
Breastfeeding is not always possible for everyone. I am one of them people.

How is this article racist if it is based on statistical research?

I never said I didn't have any problems. But breastfeeding should be considered normal, not a choice. When difficulties arise, you need to seek help, not just quit. Many doctors and nurses are very uneducated about breastfeeding and don't know how to help, but there are other organizations out there that can. And yes I went to nursing school too. When you choose to have children, that is a change in lifestyle, and it won't always be convenient.

Localboy, until you are able to carry, birth, and bfeed a child your opinion is devoid of any significance. Based on some of your comments on here I have a hard time believe you’d be comfortable if every mother in Janesville suddenly opted to bfeed their children. Think of all the little ones you see while shopping or at your favorite café, the library. Now picture them attached to their mother’s breast. I have a hard time fathoming the uppity Janesville residents being comfortable if a significant number of mothers (regardless of color) began bfeeding their children on demand regardless of where they are.

Maryfan I think its wonderful that you have had such a positive experience with breast feeding, but to make it seem that EVERY experience should be as natural and easy is counter productive. When a woman does not have such an easy go at it, its easy to be discouraged by people telling them “oh its easy your just not doing something correct” It does hurt initially and anyone that’s had cracked lips can imagine how pain full cracked nipples would be in their own right, let alone a child still feeding off those cracked nipples. If a woman encounters a situation where bfeeding is not easy, be it from her body, or the child, she will think she has failed and give up easier. If she is aware that there are problems and you just need to work through them it is far easier to keep trying. You would be a better service to mothers by telling them the whole truth, not sugar coating it. Beloit Memorial also has programs at no cost for breast feeding mothers.

Women need to provide food for their infants. One of the things that are being overlooked here is the emotional quotient that goes into nursing. When you are nursing a baby, your hormones are paralleled to being pregnant. Also, breastfed babies eat more often (which means getting up more frequently in the night). This can affect more than just the mother, but, the entire family. I nursed my oldest daughter until we found out she was allergic to everything (milk, soy, protein) and had to go on a prescription formula to live, and ended up with bleeding, cracked nipples and no sleep at night. Then, again my 3rd child after an emergency C-section. It was incredibly painful to even hold him, and, "pumping" or nursing every 2-3 hours simply became impractical. Yes, I am a mother to these children, and, you WON'T find one that is more dedicated than I anywhere, but, I have 4 children to raise- not just one. So, when I can't go on field trips with my older children because my younger has to be nursed, or, they are missing sleep because baby is waking up to nurse every 3 hours, it effects the whole family. And, WHY are you judging others' decisions? Breast is best- agreed, but, we have to do what is best for our ENTIRE family. Walk a mile in someone else's shoes. I am THRILLED that Maryfan has had a super breast feeding experience, but, it is not the "norm", and, your assumption that everyone else's life is exactly like yours- or should be is simply moronic.

I think this article is racial in itself as it aludes that only black women need help. Who will help the whites that are in the same boat?? Include everyone,white, black, hispanic,etc. I raised 3 kids and breastfed all of them. it wasn't always easy and it was awhile ago so I didn't have all the support that women DO get nowadays. My daughter is now raising her own kids and trying to nurse them. You wouldn't beleive all the help that is available to them! And it is FREE!!! you just need to look. Not spend more money on programs that won't be used anyway. My daughter and her sister in law went to the free meeting with Margo Harris and they were the only ones there! It's out there go find it!

WOW, hancock21- now the discussion board is getting interesting!!!!

MaryFan, You are lucky! My first child had a difficult birth and had a hard time getting started on bfing. I had to INSIST that the nurses not give him a bottle because I was determined to breastfeed. There are also differences between breasts that contribute to latch on issues which I had with both my babies. The first few seconds of each nursing session for the first week, I had a very painful stinging, which the lactation consult said was normal and didn't last long, but if I didn't know it wouldn't last, it would have scared me away pretty quickly! Also during the first few days, you get strong uterine contractions when you breastfeed which can be very painful, but are great for getting your uterus back to it's normal size. If you didn't experience ANY pain or challenges with breastfeeding, you should consider yourself extremely lucky!
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After getting a good start though, breastfeeding becomes a very easy, natural process. It is so convenient to always have a warm, ready meal for baby no matter where you are. It's free! No bottles to wash, no smelly formula, fewer spit up stains on their clothes, less stinky diapers (until you start solids), fewer poopy diapers (they digest almost all of it), and best of all, you burn calories like mad!

Maybe she has multiple children spaced out every couple years? Nah, much better to just make snarky comments instead of thinking, huh?

Wow - 76 months of breastfeeding.... not normal - are you one of those people who has a 7 year old opening your shirt and saying "Milk please mom?" I am all for breastfeeding - but there needs to be a cut off point.

What is the point of a discussion board, if there is very little discussion? Self righteous opinions and arguing with an "I'm right and you're wrong" mindset does not equal discussion.

My comment is race neutral. I don't need to stereotype, as actions speak louder than words.

localboysince1968-how rude! You are stereotyping people you don't personaly know!

Being a child provider I can say that I see more caucasian state aided children come through my door than black babies. I am still one of those daycares that is not state licenced, just stae certified and I do take state aided children. Many of the mothers who are either in my daycare or who have been in my daycare have not been able to breastfeed due to work or school or schedule conflicts. I have two of my own children whom I was fortunate enough to be able to nurse, even when I would work 12-18 hours a day outside my house. One job I held down while also nursing my child was at Perkins here in Janesville and the other one is Target, also in Janesville. I had a support system, aome of these young mothers, or any of the mothers in general do not have a support system. My husband would bring my child up to my work and I would nurse and then I was good for 2-3 hours. Yes it was a pain, but it is not totally out of the picture. Both of the jobs that I had were kind of undertsanding, but I would not say totally supportive. Though I do remember a couple times when I was not able to nurse for 5-6 hours and then I started leaking and I had to change my shirt a few times bc I was not able to get to my child.
I just think that the people who do have problems nursing, it could be for many reasons that we are not aware of or that we are not understanding. Sometimes the baby just doesn't latch on, sometimes the mothers have inverted nipples that makes it harder for her to nurse, or sometimes there are superficial obsticals that the mother is dealing with. Whatever the reason, let the mother do what she feels is right for her, state aided or not. When a child is born, you are not yet a mother, it is when you start to take care of that human being as if your life depended on it, you set your own wants, needs, and must haves aside and you start to put that little, defenseless, and growing human being first. That is what I think a mother is, someone who does right by the child, no matter what everyone else thinks. Nobody can know what happens in other people's lives or why they are who they are, nobody knows what anybody else is like when they are by themselves.

I breastfed both my boys while working 12 hr days with my youngest. I pumped on my 1st break and my husband brought him up on my last break so he could nurse. It isn't easy especially in comparison to popping open a can of formula adding a little water and shaking put bottle in babies mouth. It takes a lot more effort for a working mom but it can be done if you want to do it. My 11 yr old will be taking an ACT college test in Jan. at Craig High School. So mom's milk equals healthy smart babies ;). Nurse those little guys.

Localboy- Does that comment come from being educated in a parochial school?

You take away the free formula from these mom's and I bet you they take to breastfeeding real quick. It is not like they are working all day and can't do it. What else do they have to do except stay home and make some more free state babies.

Warm, no worries evansvillehousewife has her doritos,cupcakes and antibodies shes all good...

Well personally I don't see what the issue is. All you gotta do is run down to the K-Mart and get you a gallon of milk. Babies will drink it, I know cause my friend has a baby and she told me about it once. She said "Girl let me tell you..this baby will drink him some milk." So anyway why does it matter if it comes from breasts or cow teets? Milk is milk. Shoo'.

repof1,

Unless a woman is taking dangerous drugs, breastmilk is healthy regardless. Eating doritos and cupckaes won;t change the nutrional makeup, nor alster the benificial antibodies, of breastmilk.

Uh, Cracker?

Most women that "can't raise kids" are in the position because it takes a man 30 seconds to promise a woman the world and two seconds to walk out the door on his/her family.

Breast, formula, whatever.... I don;t care how a mother feeds her infant... I just care that she feeds it, period.

Breastfeeding would be MUCH more popular if women weren't expected to get up after 6 weeks off of work, hand their newborn to a 20 year old with four other babies to "watch" and then work a nine hour day, come home and do housework, pay bills, nurse and care for the baby, and wonder why the man took off....

Gabby06 one would have to nourish and take care of ones self to produce healthy breast milk. This part of equation isn't free or sadly isn't an option in some people mind.

Did anyone else notice one of the reasons women don't breastfeed is because of free formula? I'm sorry but you can't get much more free than what comes outta your body! JMO

Child birthing and breastfeeding are two of the most important things in life. I worked two jobs (night and days) for four years so that my wife could breastfeed and raise our children. It was worth it every day. Of course I gave her breaks as long as she expressed milk to a bottle for me to feed our kids. Our children are very healthy young adults. And its so fun to tease them on their birthdays.

You should know about cracked, sore nipples. I've done teaching on breastfeeding for nursing school. I've breastfed four babies. There is nothing highly unusual about breast pain during feeding. My son couldn't latch on correctly for the longest time-or he wouldn't stay latched on. You can't tell everyone else in the world they're wrong based on just your experience. Breastfeeding is natural but it's not always easy.
Congratulations on your charmed life tho!

Breastfeeding IS easy and natural...and it should never hurt or something is wrong and you should seek help right away. I am currently on my 76th month of breastfeeding over the past 12 years.

Breastfeeding is not an easy, natural thing...you know that if you've done it (I logged 26 months total). It takes effort and is painful at first. Some babies take to it more quickly than others. There are many challenges and obstacles to breastfeeding. If a mother does not have support, it is very hard to stick with it. I'm glad to see WIC addressing this issue!

I breastfed all four of my children-until I had to go back to work. As someone with experience I can tell you that it is something that is a skill-on the mother's part as well as the baby's. My youngest was the hardest. He just didn't pick up breastfeeding like my other children. I loved breastfeeding my children. I liked it when I stopped as well-it was bittersweet though.
Not all people know the benefits of breastfeeding-common knowledge to some but not to all. I think this education could help some people, it couldn't hurt.

If you can’t handle or want the responsibility of raising a child then don’t have one. I like when the women get together and complain about the situation they choose to be in. Due to the fact that I didn’t actually give birth, I have no say and my opinion doesn’t matter.

The human race survived for thousands of years without formula. Just because formula is "good enough" does not mean it should be used. It should be a last resort. Working does not mean you cannot breastfeed. Women who must be away from their babies can pump milk for them...or (not the preferred method) can give formula while they are away and breastfeed while they are with them. The problem is that our society has become lazy and into instant gratification. Of course it is easier to just buy formula and then anyone can feed the baby anywhere, but that doesn't mean it's right or healthy. Most women are not in touch with their bodies and how they work. They think that breastfeeding is something to be hidden and be ashamed of. I have personally nursed 4 children well past one year each. The first one I worked 12-16 hour shifts and 40-60 hours a week for the first year, but I still managed to pump. I have never used one drop of formula. No my mother did not breastfeed, and I have no family support except my husband. I nurse anywhere my baby needs to eat including in church or a restaurant. No I don't lift up my shirt and expose everything either, but I don't hide under a blanket. Most people have absolutely no idea what I am doing and just think the child is sleeping. Breast is best..always has been and always will be. There are very few women who CANNOT breastfeed, and for them, there is formula. For the rest, they just don't want to because it's too hard or whatever, and that's just not ok!

Yeah, it's so much fun and super easy to sit in bed with an IV in one hand while trying to breast feed your infant following a c-section. Tack on carpel tunnel in both hands to boot. It's easy as pie! Localboy, you have no idea and until you can breastfeed a child yourself, you shouldn't even try to argue.

I'm a staunch supporter of bf but if you don't have the support in your home, it's going to be very difficult. Yes women have been doing it since the beginning of time, but they also had other female support in their clan/tribe that were wise women/midwives/wet nurses. We don't have that in modern society anymore.

localboy...just how many infants have suckled on your breast? Didn't think so. You have no idea the challenges that breastfeeding women face.

Yes, 300 years ago we may not have "health officials" but breastfeeding skills were passed down from other successful mothers. If a mother wasn't successful or didn't want to feed their baby or there wasn't a wet nurse around to be a surrogate, the babies died. And isn't preventing infant mortality what this article is all about? Get a clue.

hothands, health officials were not around 300 years ago to teach people how to breastfeed. How did humans survive? They survived because it is a natural function that doesn't need to be 'taught' by health officials. To call it a 'skill' is absurd. If it was truely a skill, then we wouldn't have half the population still around.

Mercy Health System has free breast feeding classes all the time among many other offerings. Just go to their web site: www.mercyhealthsystem.org and click on "Classes and events", then click on "Register online..." and then search under "Parenting classes". Here is what Mercy offers: Breastfeeding Classes - Margot Harris
If you're pregnant and curious about breastfeeding, join Margot Harris, APNP, certified lactation counselor, and other expectant moms to discuss a variety of topics including why breastfeeding is important for you and the baby, what to expect during baby's first days, issues faced by working moms and more. To register for this free clas, or more information, call (608) 756-6100. Classes are from 2-4 pm and held in the OB department post partum at Mercy Hospital (New Generations birthing center classroom). Participants may bring partner/significant but instruct participants not to bring other children.

Breast feeding is something that both mother and child have to 'learn' how to do together. it is not a skill that is inherent for everyone especially first time mothers or young mothers. For some breast feeding is not an option, not every woman can physically produce breast milk, for others (namely single mothers) it may not always freezable. I agree with trying to get more woman to breast feed their children, however I sure hope that WIC is going to give parents enough formula to completely cover the babies feeding needs.

It's strange that people need to be educated on something they instinctively know how to do.

I think we should encourage men to puree their toddlers' food. Processed foods have lots of sodium and chemicals that surely are bad for small children. As a working (outside of the home) mother of two children I honestly feel bad for women pressured to breastfeed. Studies show that breast is best, but other studies show that formula is good enough. Nowadays women share the burden of work (outside of the home) with men, but still have the primary responsibility of raising children and I think women are just tapped out of energy. Statistics show that black women are more often single mothers, so honestly it isn't realistic to expect these women to breastfeed. In the days where women could stay at home to raise children breastfeeding was more of an option, but now I just think it's one more way that society contributes to mothers' feelings of inadequacy. We can't expect mothers to pick up the slack for everything that society has dropped the ball on.