Breastfeeding pros and cons? YAWN.
I know, right? Been there, done that. Many, MANY times before.
There are the usual suspects. It’s better for bub. It’s better for mum. You can’t forget to pack the food. Germ-fighting. Calorie-burning. Bonding. Fluffy stuff.
All that versus being the ONLY one who can feed your darling. Not knowing how much they’re getting. Attachment issues. Mastitis. Mega-boobs made of rock.
I recently put the call out on facebook for the lesser-discussed pros and cons. The ones you don’t think to ask about pre-bub because your mind is all about the BOOBS and the MILK and the BABY.
You responded with some pearlers. Thank you for helping me put together this unconventional list of breastfeeding pros and cons.
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PRO: You become really good at eating (or, in fact, doing anything) one-handed.
CON: You have no brains. Something I know from practice, but which a reader confirmed is actually compounded by the hormones released during lactation.
PRO: Breast milk is free. You save money on formula.
CON: Breastfeeding makes you HUNGRY. You spend more on food for yourself. Breastfeeding wear, breast pads and other assorted breastfeeding essentials are also typically expensive.
PRO: Kmart and similar budget department stores are cottoning on to this fact and releasing more affordable feeding wear.
CON: You are the only one who can get up and feed your baby in the middle of the night.
PRO: For all that we complain about it, being the only one who can settle bub actually feels nice. Especially when you remember that in approximately thirteen years’ time, your offspring will probably be embarrassed by you.
CON: You get big boobs. (My view.)
PRO: You get big boobs. (Husband’s view.)
CON: No matter how careful you are, everyone sees said boobs accidentally at some point. Especially the second time, when you’re chasing an older child around as well.
PRO: You are forced to stop and rest. Or to catch up on all that internet goss on the iPad.
CON: You just may use up your internet allowance in the first week of every month.
PRO: Your partner will do more for you and bub during the day because he feels guilty he can’t help more, especially at night.
CON: Yeah, right. See that one directly above? It’s a big, fat con perpetuated by partners everywhere!
What would you add to this unconventional list of breastfeeding pros and cons?
I likes it. I miss the cleavage. Gone forever. Flaunt it while you got it! It’s also one of the only times I’ve felt ok about being ‘served’ things sitting down, cos I was feeding. It was great being brought food and drink to the couch while I sat and zoned out in hormone land!
I HATE the cleavage. You can have mine!
CON: You can only have one glass of wine every 1.45 hours…!
Haha! I don’t really drink anyway so this hasn’t been a problem.
CON: An automatic breast-pump sounds like an angry frog, and when you are pumping while watching TV, you are bound to miss some important bits. Sorry Emily…all this sounds very negative indeed. I have actually enjoyed breast-feeding!
Haha! I’m enjoying it too, but when you’re tied to bub for months on end, the cons list seems easier to write! No pumping for me this time – I had to do it for two months straight with the first one and just didn’t want to go there again this time around if I could help it.
CON : you may like me end up half undressesd in a posh suburb rescuing an 18month old from a climbing frame whilst your newborn is latched on and everyone just watches on with no shred of inclination to maybe friggin’ help?!
PRO: You find out who the helpful people are in your suburb. (From the sounds of it, no-one.) Thanks for the laugh! x
I’m battling breastfeeding issues at the moment with my 7 week old… would love for it to be working, but it just won’t…thankyou for this piece, it gave me a much-needed giggle!
Tara @ Hand Me My Sanity
Oh, issues aren’t fun. I hope it works out for you – whichever way you decide to go! If it helps, know that I expressed for eight weeks with my first and we still eventually got there with attachment. She actually refused bottles from that point on! Good times (NOT!).
I was only able to breastfeed for a very short time for each of my kids so I cannot really add to this list but I did enjoy the cleavage that I sported for a short time…that was nice for the time it lasted!
I’m glad you enjoyed it! I’m not at all!
What a great list! Love your pros and cons! đ
Thanks, Lucy! And thanks to my fb followers. They supplied most of it!
Excellent post. After feeding 5 babies for a total of 57 months my boobs were like golf balls hanging in the bottom of socks so I got a boob job. That’s my story đ
WHOA. Impressive feat. 57 months of breastfeeding. WHOA.
Completely agree with all of the above! Add to that how essential it is to get baby to take a bottle because otherwise you’re screwed. Like us. I’ve been the only person to feed my baby since she was born – 11 months ago!
Yeah. About that. My first ONLY ate from a bottle for her first two months, then REFUSED it. AAARGH. Haven’t even tried a bottle with the second one. Figured it’s a year of my life with a baby attached to me so I’ll be fine. Counting down to a day off when he’s weaned!
Haha! This is great! I was sooooo hungry when I first started breastfeeding. OMG, my stomach was like a bottomless pit. Wait. So what’s my excuse now? đ
Teehee, trust you to make me laugh! I’m a hungry hippo most of the time, but when breastfeeding I hit a whole new level! NOM NOM EVERYTHING.
Great list! I agree about the hungriness. I remember scoffing muesli bars in the wee hours while trying to balance a bub. And terrible, terrible early morning TV – but I guess that happens however you feed your baby!
Muesli bars. Yeah, that’s what I’m eating. Not entire blocks of chocolate in one sitting. No sirree, not me.
SUPERB list lovely – especially about being the only one that can get up in night to feed – GRRR! I would add as a con – you can’t eat spicy food without giving baby upset tummy!!!
I’ve been eating heaps of spicy food, but onion is a no-no! Go figure!