The Breast is Up to You

Ok, I know my next statement is going to alienate some of you, my friends and readers, but bear with me.

Breastfeeding is gross to me.

Again, stay with me, and I promise I’ll win you au natural mother Earth-types back.

Yes, it IS natural.  But you know what?  Defecation and urination are also natural, but we are a civilized society with a place for us to perform these natural and beautiful functions.  And I love these mothers that get so offended when people are either staring or uncomfortably trying to look away, like the onlookers are the ones with the problem.  If you feel comfortable enough to whip your boob out, you go do you.  But don’t start barking at the rest of us that are pretending to be overly engrossed in a street sign or something stuck on the ground.

All that being said, let me add this.

I am planning to breastfeed.  Though I’m not looking forward to it, I do have to acknowledge all the research and doctor’s advice I’ve heard that states how breast milk is extremely beneficial for both baby and mother.  For the baby, they get all the nutrients they need to make them strong and healthy.  For moms, it helps with your health too plus it’s cheaper than formula (and I heard it helps shed those pregnancy pounds! Guess which reason makes me the most excited lol)

So, since I plan to breastfeed, I knew that I would need to order a breast pump.  My sister-in-law was kind enough to gift me hers, but I thought since I could get a free one through my insurance, it wouldn’t hurt to have a fresh back-up.

I finally took the time to call my insurance company.  This was the call I was dreading more than any other.  Fearing a long, drawn-out call filled with constant wait music and repeated transfers, I was preparing for the worst.  Surprisingly, it didn’t take too long to finally get to a representative.  When she picked up, she was all business.

“Hello, this is Rhonda, can I please have your full name, date of birth, social security number, group number, etc.”

I gave her what she needed.

“Ok, now what can I do for you today?” asked Rhonda.

I explained that I was pregnant and that I was calling to ask a few questions about what to expect with paying for the hospital stay and how much an epidural would cost.

“Oh, and I’d also like to request a breast pump,” I added.

She finished typing something before speaking again.

“Oh ok, yes we can supply with you a breast pump at no additional cost,” she said.

“Oh good!  I was hoping that would be the case.  I’m nervous enough about doing it, I was hoping the pump at least would be free,” I joked.

At this, I could hear her voice relax and become more comfortable with me. 

“Yeah, you know, it’s not so bad, but you know, it’s not for everybody.  I just had my own little girl a few months ago,” she said, her tone easy and friendly.

“Oh?” I said.

“Yeah, but I had to go onto formula because breast-feeding just wasn’t happening,” she said.  “She’d be sucking on my titties and not getting anything out of them, so this whole time I thought she was getting something but nothing was coming out of my titties.”

I chuckled and immediately liked her even more for her frankness and honesty. 

“Oh, yeah, that could be a problem.  So did you bother using a breast pump since you had to go to formula?” I asked, genuinely interested.

“Oh yeah, but make sure you request an electric one.  Because the manual one can make your hand get sore, but the electric one just sucks everything out,” she offered.

I laughed again, and after thanking her for her help, we hung up.  I don’t know why, but talking to a stranger about something that makes me so uncomfortable somehow made me…comfortable.  Like it wasn’t such a big deal, after all.  And it’s also comforting to know that if for whatever reason I can’t breastfeed, it’s ok because a lot of women struggle with it.

I’m not saying one way is the right way or the best way.  I think, like everything else, it comes down to personal choice and no one should make you feel ashamed for feeling one way or another about breastfeeding.  Whether it’s formula or the boob, as long as you and your baby are happy and healthy, that’s the most important thing.

Talk about food for thought.

And speaking of thoughts, these are just my own personal opinions about breastfeeding.  What are yours?