Confession time... many of you who know and have read my blog for some time will know that I am quite Pro-Breastfeeding. Quite.
However, despite the fact that I probably should, I don't talk about my views on breastfeeding very often because I am a conservative person and I don't really want to start any heated debates. I also don't want to make anyone who may read my blog feel alienated in their own parenting choices.
When I say I am pro-Breastfeeding I should also say that I am a qualified Breastfeeding Counselor with the Australian Breastfeeding Association. I am studying to become an International Board Certified Lactation Consultant. Something that will take me another 2 years of so to complete. At that point I hope to be able to offer my services as a privately practicing independent Lactation Consultant.
So those of you who may have noticed in my Wednesday Coffee post earlier in the week that I was reading something out of the ordinary - that is what it is all about.
In the spirit of being right out there in the open about my parenting style I am also a passionate baby-wearer and am encouraging of co-sleeping (Safely of course - want more info? See this link) and cloth nappying (although I do confess to this last one being quite sporadic - depending on things are going that week.)
This week I came across an interesting blog and one that I will be following with interest - The Leaky B@@b. On Wednesday the author penned a very interesting article Breastfeeding = Breastfeeding which describes how I feel about my parenting style and breastfeeding so succinctly that I could have written it - but not quite so eloquently. It perfectly sums up how I imagine many 'green' living parents feel and just goes to show that parenting is about personal decisions and what works best for your family.
I encourage you to go and have a read!
I will admit that there may be a few posts in the future that discuss breastfeeding as I go through my studies and find things that I feel as though are worth sharing.
I'm pro breastfeeding too Andrea - might have something to do with the fact that it was the only thing in motherhood I think I did well at :)
ReplyDeletePS - there are always going to be some women that have trouble with breastfeeding and that bottle feeding may need to be the choice - not knocking them - goodness knows we all need as much support as we can when we become mums!
ReplyDeletewow, sounds like we are totally on the same page with all of the above :) good for you re IBLC....good luck!
ReplyDeleteBTW, I LOVE that pic of you BFing your LO. Beautiful :)
ReplyDeleteHi Liz,
ReplyDeleteI don't deny that Breastfeeding is a large physical and emotional commitment and that some women do have difficulty. I do however think that education, attitudes and unwavering support in the home (as well as from oganisations such as ABA and La Leche League) are underestimated in just how much of a difference they can make to a successful breastfeeding outcome. I don't want people who are reading my blog and who may have chosen (or been unable to) breastfeed to feel like they are a bad parent because of that. Breastfed or not - all babies are loved equally.
Andjxx
OMG!! I just wrote like the longest post ever and then it didn't work! Arrrgggh
ReplyDelete