Brilliant Astrid.

I am currently holding a little girl, not even a month old who's mother went through hell and back to establish breastfeeding. It hasn't been easy. But do you know what made it harder? The nurses who told her mother to comp feed. When we got home the seduction of formula was still there. Yet mum fed on. Through mutilated nipples, through tears each time bubba latched, to the fear of each feed. Yet she made me promise her that I would help her through all the obstacles. And even though everyone around her wanted her to switch because they were worried, she continued. And now she's doing really well. Bubba is feeding fine, nipples have healed. And there were many nights where even I wasn't sure. That is support. If someone tells you that you can do it. That there is light at the end of the tunnel. That is support. I rounded up as much information and as many women as I could that had been through this to share with her their experience. And how they too found that light through perseverance. That is support. But guess what. I wonder how many people would diss me? Call me a nipple nazi? When all I did is what I was asked to do. If she had said to me from get go "I want to use formula" I would have supported that. But this is what she wanted. And she did it and she's proud. Formula feeding is a choice. Sometimes that choice is easier to make due to lack of support or bad advice. But it is a choice. And sometimes it's medically necessary.

but let me tell you this every single woman who has struggled with the difficulties of breastfeeding has been faced with the seduction of formula. And it's really hard to fight. And that's why the notion that breast is best is often not enough.