I’m really not against setting breastfeeding goals. If you’ve read any of my blogs you probably could’ve figured that out. The problem, however, is what happens when we don’t achieve those goals. I have spoken to countless women who for one reason or another felt like a failure for not meeting her breastfeeding goals. I do think moms need to actively pursue breastfeeding as they would good nutrition later in childhood, but not meeting your breastfeeding goals does not a failure make!
It Wasn’t Working
It is rare that women, medically speaking, cannot breastfeed. Unfortunately though, there is not a lot of support out there for breastfeeding moms. It is frequently a make or break situation in the hospital. If it goes well in the hospital, a mom is likely to continue breastfeeding. But I have found that very few moms have the resources and/or support necessary to seek out qualified help and get the answers that they need to make breastfeeding succeed. So mom makes the best decision she can, based on the situation and information she has. If this is you, stop feeling guilty!
Going Back to Work
Many of you already know from talking to me in the forums that I am in awe of moms who pump. I have been breastfeeding for 8 years and still, even though I am currently nursing twins, cannot get more than a few ounces. Ideally, I think we’d all stay home to breastfeed our babies as long as it took the wean them. However, as we all know, that’s just not always possible. Pumping will always result in a decrease of milk production in a mom who is established in breastfeeding her infant. So yes, when you go back to work, if you pump, your milk supply will decrease. For some women, this decrease in milk is not a problem–they had a such a large supply to begin with. But for many it is and after a few months of working, their supply dwindles. If this describes you, go ahead and nurse your baby as much as you can but stop feeling guilty!
I could go on. But the point is to stop feeling guilty. It is fine and dandy to have an ideal age to stop breastfeeding. WHO recommends that you breastfeed at least two years. But any amount of breast milk you give your child is better than not giving him any at all. Stop the guilt and go be the awesome mom that you are.