Sophocles wrote,"There is no sense crying over spilt milk." Sophocles was a man, and therefore, he never chose whether or not to breastfeed. Recently, someone said that I breastfeed because I am cheap, which led to some "crying" over spilt milk, or pumped milk... for the working mom.
Breastfeeding for a year Pump (or pump accessories/parts for a borrowed pump) $300.00
Nursing Pads (changed 3 times a day to avoid infection) $171.00
Manual Pump for emergency pumping $30.00
Pump wipes to clean pump with no access to sink $40.00
Lanolin for sore nipples $40.00
Prescription for infection $10.00
Cream for infection $40.00
Cream for cuts $7.00
Milk storage $60.00
Nipple Shields for protection while baby nurses on sore nipples $15.00
Nipple Shells for protection from bra as it rubs your sore nipples $15.00
Nursing Bras (Sleep bra, day bra, jog bra) $60.00
Nursing Pajamas $40.00
Nursing Cover $20.00
Supplements for milk supply $60.00
Tea for milk supply $20.00
Nursing pillow $30.00
Pillow covers $10.00
Bigger tops for the bigger tatas (So far I have 5, so you've probably seen them.) $75.00
Total $1,043.00
That's my total if I never have to buy formula to supplement, which lots of girls must do. To compare, I asked a friend who is formula feeding, and she says she spends about $70 per month. $70 times 12 months equals $840... Even if we round up her formula cost by almost $20 more per month, it will only equal the cost of breastfeeding.
Aside from the cost, please take into consideration: Everything I eat or drink affects the milk. Every errand, appointment, or get together has to be scheduled around pumping or feeding the baby. I have to endure glares from people who are uncomfortable seeing my nursing wrap. I have to be the one up at every feeding, which means I never sleep in past the first feeding. I have popped buttons (in public) when my milk let down because a baby (any baby) cried. If we have people over and my feeding makes them uncomfortable, I go into another room to feed. I miss part of the festivities, so they don't feel weird. If I have a stomach bug, hives, or a sore incision from major surgery (C-section, duh), I still have to feed the baby. Yet for all of these down sides, I still do it. Why? Would I do all of that to save a few dollars?
Hmmm... No. I have an amazing bond with my baby, and I have the comfort of know that ALL experts agree that breastfeeding is best. The American Academy of Pediatrics states:
Human milk is species-specific, and all substitute feeding preparations differ markedly from it, making human milk uniquely superior for infant feeding. Exclusive breastfeeding is the reference or normative model against which all alternative feeding methods must be measured with regard to growth, health, development, and all other short- and long-term outcomes. So, for those of you who think I breastfeed because I am cheap, think again. It's better for the baby. Period. And I work damn hard to do it.
Their are people who breast feed exclusively, people who formula feed exclusively, and all combinations in between. I promise to never make a judgement on whether you chose to put a breast or bottle in your kid's mouth. Please afford me the same courtesy.
:)
Glad to get that off my chest,
Anne
