https://medium.com/@alexandrasacks/breastfeeding-vs-formula-6b4f09652488
Whether it’s with breast milk, formula, or a combination of both, every mother and baby needs to figure out the feeding choices that work best for them.
These days, our culture sends a strong message about the benefits of breastfeeding. Many moms feel proud when breastfeeding is going well — like they have passed their first important test of motherhood with flying colors. That being said, not every woman can or wants to breastfeed, and it’s my opinion that the outcomes for babies who are formula fed may be academic, but in real life are imperceptible. Breastfeeding is not nature’s way of testing your abilities as a mother, and formula feeding is certainly not any indication of failure or insufficiency.
Whether it’s with breast milk, formula, or a combination of both, every mother and baby needs to figure out the feeding choices that work best for them. Though some find that it comes easily, most women say that breastfeeding involves a learning curve. It can take days or weeks for you and your baby to find your way.
The majority of women admit to me that, even when it works, breastfeeding is also really hard.
(click link at the top to continue reading on medium.com)
also from the article:
“Usually, supplementing with formula and/or pumping while you’re learning how to breastfeed is a good place to start. Supplementing with formula ensures that your baby will get enough food. Supplementing can also take the pressure off of you as you’re trying to find your way with breastfeeding. I’ve spoken to many moms who told me that supplementing with formula ultimately helped them stay calm and patient so that they were able to figure out breastfeeding eventually.”
It is clear the author is not knowledgeable on breastfeeding, and whilst it is essential that a woman always has free choice, support and information…I think this article is off the mark.
‘Pressure’ ? this is a myth, surely.
For women to figure out what is best for them (and presumably baby) they need unbias info and support. Many breastfeeding challenges are not from ‘societal pressure’ but that lack of general knowledge and support, including from maternity professionals. Aggressive marketing of formula and breastfeeding aids adds to the idea that breastfeeding is a ‘challenge’, creating the illusion of ‘pressure’. Articles like this, written by an MD, give credence this illusion.
Just like birth – the ‘hollywood’ image influences expectations.
The concept of the ‘good mother’ changes culturally, and this is where the pressure might actually be. The ‘fed is best’ rhetoric, just as the ‘breast is best’ before it, are unhelpful and distracting, and dismissive of the biological truth.