2023 Author: Anita Thornton | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-05-22 03:30
In front of the beautiful round belly of a future mother, the words come out naturally: “Are you going to breastfeed? ". A harmless question for some, a silent reproach for others.
We met Marie-Eve and Isabelle, two leading women, two wonderful mothers, who have chosen not to breastfeed. They wanted to confide in us. They tell us, in all simplicity, their story of maternal love… and formula milk.
The story of Marie-Eve
As far as she can remember, Marie-Eve has never wanted to breastfeed. No big speeches or big theories to support her choice, she just didn't want to. The prospect of having to partially undress to feed her baby, the fact that breastfeeding is the prerogative of mothers, all that… it meant nothing to her.
At 24, she is expecting her first baby. Comfortable with her decision, supported by her husband and her mother, she already knows that she will not breastfeed. The little man growing in his belly will be bottle-fed, sometimes in mom's arms, sometimes in dad's. A very personal choice that nevertheless raises a lot of criticism from those she describes as pro-breastfeeding.
During soundpregnancy follow-up, at all appointments, her doctor tries to turn the tide. Marie-Eve remembers: “She tried to make me change my mind at every appointment, right up to the delivery. She never wanted to take into account what I wanted and what I considered to be best for me. She gave me the argument that my baby would be sicker if I didn't breastfeed him and that, in my case, the risk of developing breast cancer was greater. It's hard to justify yourself every time.
Live, let live and assume your choices, such is Marie-Eve's philosophy. The external pressures, although exhausting, will not make her relent and it is with a bottle that her little angel will be fed. "When I gave my son a drink, we were very connected," she says. We looked each other straight in the eye. What matters is loving and nurturing baby. The fact of not having breastfed does not make me a bad mother. The important thing is to have a he althy little coco. »
Isabelle's story
Isabelle was 26 years old when her pretty little girl showed up. Breastfeeding is out of the question. “Being diabetic, eating during pregnancy is VERY complicated so I didn’t want to deprive myself once the baby arrived. And for some unknown reason, I was never drawn to the act. I do not know why ". On the other hand, she says she is very happy for those who breastfeed successfully and sad for those who would have liked it,but who cannot. Breastfeeding, not breastfeeding, the two options are valid, explains Isabelle; the only bad choice is to feed your child badly.
Contrary to what many think, bottle-feeding is not choosing the easy solution. “We spend time preparing milk, disinfecting bottles and teats… And I'm not talking about the monetary issue,” says the now mother of two children.
The question of breastfeeding is a personal choice, according to Isabelle: it's only up to the mother. “My best friend is a breastfeeding sponsor and we had our first children a few months apart. I don't even remember having a discussion with her about it! It’s so personal.”
She also finds it very disturbing that complete strangers approach pregnant women to ask them if they are going to breastfeed. For Isabelle, “Are you going to breastfeed? is a question that has become banal… yet so indiscreet.
Isabelle's children are now 10 and 5, and to this day, she has no regrets about switching to bottles and formula. “I was feeding my child,” she says. How could I have been happier? The sound… the sound of a baby drinking, one of the most beautiful musics.”.
To breastfeed or not to breastfeed, this is the question that tugs and divides expectant mothers. The benefits of breastfeeding are no longer to be praised, but making good choices isn't just about what's best for your he alth. The right choicesare also those who make you happy.
