Breastfeeding caste system?

While I was pregnant with Jack, the best parenting class I went to at the local hospital was the one on breastfeeding.  It was packed with useful information that made me feel more confident unlike some other classes which either bored me or scared me.

The LC who led the class was the chief LC at that hospital, and on the scale LC and breastfeeding zealots, she was a moderate.  Sure, she was passionate about the importance of breastfeeding and how to make it happen.  But she was a realist.  She understood that we all did not live in a perfect world where everyone had water births at home without medical intervention, where our milk came in quickly and our nipples weren't inverted or flat. She didn't blame the mom for breastfeeding problems.  Indeed, when describing some of the other attendees at lactation consultant conventions she described the zealots as those who "think you should never use a bottle and should nurse until the child goes off to college."

Don't get me wrong. I am a big believer in breastfeeding and breast milk for all babies (although I would prefer that it be commonly called "human milk" instead of breast milk.  Do we call cow's milk "udder milk"?).  Hell, I got no more than four hours of sleep per day for months and months so I could feed my baby breast milk.

But it troubles me tremendously to read stories like this about how Mothering Magazine's forums refused to let an exclusively pumping mom to list her EPing supplies -- bottles -- for sale on the site because they go against the publication's philosophy of promoting breastfeeding. Bullshit.  EPers work harder than any other breastfeeder to get that milk to their babies.  Shame on them for creating a caste system where mothers who can nurse are treated well while mothers who exclusively pump are treated like second class citizens.  That is zealotry at its worst.            

Comments

[maggie]

You go, girl! You are so spot on. I pumped almost exclusively for a year (a little nursing, a little formula) and I too know how damned hard it is. What can we do?

[Jennifer Webb]

That is just ridiculous! My cousin exclusively pumped and I just don't see the difference. If anything, it's harder as you often relate. Love your blog, btw - found you one day through the Parent Hacks site. I have an 18 month old son (Alex) who brings me much joy! :-)

[Aurelia]

Wow, what a bunch of goofs...even women who don't EP may need bottles for a preemie, or because they have to go back to work and want to continue to BF. What are they supposed to do, carry the milk home in their pockets?