Mom-shaming Needs to Stop (Pt. 2)

As if mother's don't go through enough just to get their child into the world, then they have to deal with the world telling them exactly how they should take care of their new bundle of joy. Being a mother is hard, but it is often made more difficult by other mothers thinking that their word is gospel.

Giving an opinion is one thing, but shaming a mother for her choices is a completely different matter. As long as the mother isn't hurting her child, then butt out. A mother is entitled to make her own choices when it comes to her child.

One of the biggest debates and reasons for mom-shaming seems to be breastfeeding versus bottle feeding. I've heard so many arguments about this. I've seen so many women get talked down to because of their choices.

Breast is best. There is no scientific argument about that. But that doesn't mean that it is always the best choice for you as a mother. Every woman is different, every mother is different, and every child is different. Therefore, you must make a choice that is best for you and your child, no matter what society has to say about it.

Some mothers are unable to breastfeed. Perhaps they have an issue producing. Perhaps their baby has an issue latching. Perhaps they are on a medication that is unsafe for the child. There are many reasons why a woman is unable to breastfeed and she shouldn't be shamed for those things.

It's a hard decision to make, especially if you had dreams of being able to breastfeed your child. Women who have to make this decision should not be additionally shamed by outside individuals who know nothing about their unique circumstances.

Some mothers choose not to breastfeed, whether they are able to or not. Some women decide that it is not a good option for them. Perhaps they are going straight back to work. Perhaps they do not want to be latched onto their child beyond the womb. Perhaps breastfeeding made them resentful of their child and it wasn't a pleasant experience for them. Perhaps they simply like the simplicity of formula and the fact that multiple people can be responsible for feeding their child.

Whatever the reason for choosing not to breastfeed, it is that mother's choice. The public has no say in her decision. As long as the baby is being fed, butt out of it. Society doesn't understand the inner workings of your life and therefore they get no right to comment, let alone shame you for your choices.

Some mothers choose to breastfeed and are more than capable of doing so. Perhaps they like the bond breastfeeding forms between them and their child. Perhaps they enjoy the fact that it's free. Perhaps it comes easily to them and their baby cooperates.

Whatever the reason, society should not shame mothers for breastfeeding. It is a natural act. Humans are mammals. Mammals are named such because their young are fed via mammary glands. You don't get more natural than breastfeeding across the board. So stop shaming mothers who do it, no matter where they decided to do it.

You really can't win as a mother. If you bottle feed then you hate your child and don't want to bond with them. If you breastfeed, you're being lewd and an exhibitionist and have no decency. If you formula feed your children then you are depriving your child of basic nutrients and stunting their immune system.

Everyone will have an opinion and everyone won't hesitate to voice it. And that is the problem. Just because you have an opinion on something doesn't mean that opinion matters.

If one method of feeding worked best for you and your children, great. That does not mean it will work best for someone else's. Everyone is unique and their children are unique. Let mothers feed their children. Period.

The only time you get to have an opinion on that is if the child is not being fed, at all. If the child is not starving to death then butt out and save your opinion for something that matters. Save your opinion for a real debate.

Breastfeeding versus formula feeding has been hashed out and is done. Stop making mothers feel bad about their choices. It's hard enough handling a new baby. If you have to deal with the world's opinion on every move you make with that baby then it's downright exhausting.