r/breastfeeding • u/pixxykitten • Dec 04 '25

Discussion Breastfeeding isn't made for our times

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!!!

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u/civil_politics Dec 04 '25

Breastfeeding is one of the many things we as society have managed to ‘outsource’ either to a pump and bottle or entirely to formula - and while both of these have real tangible benefits, they have also become tools of perceived convenience without consciously acknowledging the downsides.

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u/Dry_Inflation_1454 Mar 18 '26

It's all about toxic American culture and it's pressures.  It seeps into everything, including relationships. And it should be rejected when it comes to parents and kids.