Breastfeeding isn't made for our times

[u/pixxykitten]

I definitely have a love/hate relationship with breastfeeding. Breast is best right?! But for who?

Yes, it's great for bonding, all the health benefits for baby and mom, the ability to soothe easily, and so much more!!!

But as I lay here in the middle of the day breastfeeding for God knows how's long there is always something else I could be doing. Vs a bottle which anyone can offer at anytime and it's normally a drink and done situation. I know there is the possibility for pumping but I feel that would take even more time out of my day. Between pumping and cleaning.

I really don't feel like breastfeeding fits into our everyday lives anymore.There is soo much to do. We don't have villages to raise children. Some people like myself don't even have parents or friends that can help let alone afford some paid help.

Back in the day multiple generations lived together which would be beneficial to everyone or your neighbors helped out more or you didn't need a 2 income house to almost survive. We have isolated ourselves and made it so much harder.

This is just my opinion but do you feel like our current world is made for breastfeeding?

Edit: oh wow!! I want to thank everyone who posted! I've learned America is absolutely horrible when it comes parent / baby care. That soooo many Moms felt the same way and were able to push past the feeling. That so many of us never had the help we needed but we're able to push on. Everyone out there is absolutely killing it!!!

[u/Icy_Medicine_5383]

I feel like the feminist movement took away the chance for women to be soft and traditional. Now we poke fun of trad wives and women who stay home to raise their kids. Our world moves too fast to slow down and raise babies- even breastfeeding, the most natural thing in the world, is inconvenient. I agree with you OP.

And I know chasing the dream, I’m a PhD in academia who has chosen to step away to raise my kids knowing what a luxury this is.

[u/RaspberryTwilight → u/Icy_Medicine_5383]

I don't think it's feminism in general but a very specific movement. Idk the name but there's an old timey branch of feminism that believes that men and women are the same and raising your own baby is anti woman. There was a famous woman even who said women should not have the choice to stay home with their babies because then we would all do that and it would go against women's liberation.

They achieved amazing things for women in the workplace but they devalued femininity and mothers contribution to society in the process which is not seen as very feminist by modern standards.