Breastfeeding may be seen as being the best thing for newborn babies, but it is not always so practical.

Not only are new mothers pushed into breastfeeding by their midwives, and then made to feel as though they are bad parents of they don't, they also receive disapproving stares when they choose to breastfeed in a public place.

If mothers are expected to breastfeed their new child shouldn't public places be more "breastfeed friendly"? instead they are expected to hide away so not to put other people off of their food, when all they are doing is giving lunch to their child, instead of being open about it they have to go to the bathroom to do it... would you really want to have your lunch in a bathroom?

Other factors make it less practical to breastfeed, for instance what about a fathers right to feed his newborn child?

Mothers are encouraged to breastfeed for the first six months, so what about if the father wants to feed his child, this would mean the mother would have to be around at all times and the father would be unable to spend any time alone to get to know his new baby.

Having said all this breast milk is the best thing for a baby to have at least in the first few months, it contains antibodies to help protect the baby and all the nutrients it needs to help develop a healthy immune system, it is made specifically for the baby and is at the perfect temperature, breastfed babies are less prone to infections and its also a way of saving money as its free.

Formula milk is good for the baby too though, its designed for babies to have all the nutrients it needs so even if a mother decides breastfeeding is too difficult, not practical enough or for whatever reason she may have to not breastfeed, the baby is still getting everything it needs to survive.

Just because a mother chooses to bottle feed instead of breastfeed it doesn't mean they love their child any less. Both are good for the baby, mothers could always choose to do both if they find that its more practical, and there are breast pumps so if a mother chooses to bottle feed their baby they can still feed it breast milk, so midwives should stop putting on the pressure to exclusively breastfeed. After all a mother knows what is best for her child.

Learn more about this author, Vicky Bladen.
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