Little does a typical father know about the raging debate amongst our motherly counterparts. Not until recently when our favorite baby formula got pulled from the shelves did I understand how serious the breast vs. formula discussion has become. When I mentioned in the last entry that we used formula some responded that they were surprised we'd made this choice. And then my wife admitted she felt guilt about it. And then someone lept to her defense, and then another mom told a moving story about how her baby couldn't swallow so well so they were forced to use formula but she was ashamed and then a college classmate whom I hadn't heard from in years, or actually ever, wrote in to put in her two cents, and now she's a famous writer! So this debate must mean something.
I think Maggie and I might represent your typical organic leaning earthhippy parents. Or at least we know where those desires come from. We use cloth diapers, avoid plastics, no tv, pestide free, etc. And we were happy when it was possible for Elsie to breastfeed (I heard on "Lovline" (awesome radio show) that nearly 50% of mothers can't do it, true?). But we were also pretty happy when Elsie began taking to the bottle. Then Maggie wasn't so teathered to the baby and when Elsie started taking formula a new sense of freedom entered our home. We'd heard that Elsie might get sick when she stopped breastfeeding, but she's been okay. Maggie just kind of tapered off the pumping and eventually the breast became less appealing to Elsie. And more appealig to me! Anyway, it seemed a pretty natural process. Hippy that I am, I still think breastfeeding past the point when the kid begins to walk and talk isn't necessary. It even seems a little weird to me, if you want to know the truth. Us dad's want those boobs back at some point. They were only out on loan, remember that kiddos.
Anyway, I think there should be no shame in formula using. Here's a link to very informative article by Organic Pregancy celebrity Dierdre Dolan about the various formula's available on the market. She breaks it all down for us. And she points out another good reason many moms stop breastfeeding: they get pregnant! Watch out, it could happen to you too, if you're not careful. Happy Holidays from the Diaper Bandits!
