Are you a breast-feeding mom or bottle-feeding mom? Chances are, you find yourself in one of these 6 camps as the battle of breastmilk vs. formula rages on.
Health Life Parenting

The Six Mom Camps of the Breastfeeding vs. Formula Battle

Are you a breast-feeding mom or bottle-feeding mom? Chances are, you find yourself in one of these 6 camps as the battle of breastmilk vs. formula rages on.

By Melissa Lilly of The Stay-at-Home Life

Heads up, soon-to-be moms. I’m giving you fair warning now, while you can still prepare yourself and build a thick skin for what’s coming. You’re about to stumble into a hotbed of heated debates. There is no way to avoid it. You will get the side-eye, no matter what you choose, as someone won’t be happy with your personal, none-of-their-damn-business choice. You will find your nearest and dearest, whom you never thought capable of judgment, extolling the virtues of their choice as they try to make you follow suit. Moms you’ve never met are about to pounce on you in the store and even online. No one is safe. You, my unwitting friend, are about to be blindsided with the new breastfeeding-or-formula-feeding throw down.

There are six main camps of moms you’re about to encounter.

1. The Breast is Best, Screw the Rest Mom: This mom is loud and proud about her breastfeeding. No covers or modesty for her. If baby is hungry, she’ll whip that boob right out while sitting in the middle of a crowded room and leave the other uncovered for good measure as well. She’ll be the one glaring down everyone within 50 yards, daring them to make one comment about her tatas flapping in the wind. Should you dare to mention formula, you’ll get an hour-long lecture about the evils of it and the horribleness of the moms who would dare to expose their children to such an atrocity. As far as she is concerned, if you don’t breastfeed, you don’t care about your baby enough, and you are not a good mom. Every mom can do it if she really wants to.

2. The Breast is Best, But Do What’s Best For You Mom: She’s a firm believer that breastfeeding is best for babies but also understands that not all moms can breastfeed. She supports everyone’s choice and recognizes that it’s a very personal decision. When feeding her baby, she may whip out the boob or keep it covered up. It’s her choice; please don’t make a thing about it. As long as the babies are fed, she doesn’t give a care how it’s done. Why can’t we all just get along?

3. The Do Whatever You Want, Leave Me Alone Mom: This mom may breastfeed or formula feed. She doesn’t really talk about it and is usually discreet with her method of feeding no matter what it is. Quite frankly, she doesn’t give a damn, my dear, how you feed your baby and doesn’t think it’s any of your business whether a boob or a bottle nipple is served. If you try to start a debate with her over baby feeding, she’ll probably ask you how the weather is. If you still don’t get the hint, she’ll mysteriously hear the baby cry to escape your soap boxing.

4. The Breast Feeding Didn’t Work Mom: This mom tried breast feeding and gave it her absolute best shot. It simply, for whatever reason, didn’t work. Maybe she didn’t produce, the baby didn’t latch, it drove her to the edge of her sanity, or her milk just didn’t have the needed nutrients. There are many valid reasons why breastfeeding doesn’t always work, and she knows it. She wanted to nurse her child and feels bad for using formula. Seeing “breastfeeding is best” on the formula cans, reading it all over the internet, and having it shoved down her throat at every turn is more upsetting than she’ll admit. Preaching at her about breastfeeding and giving her tips is just a slap in the face. She’s heard it so often she’s about to puke. Given the chance, she’ll tell you to back the heck off and mind your own leaky tits, for hers are dried up and the damn formula is just fine.

5. The Formula is Great, Save Yourself a Hassle Mom: She has heard all about how breast feeding is best, but she also knows formula is just fine. Either she tried breastfeeding and found it to be too much of a hassle or avoided it all together after hearing it’s not always so easy. She also may or may not find the idea of another human sucking on her nipples to be gross. Happy with her choice, she stands behind it and encourages other moms to do what’s best for them. Don’t like her choice? Good for you, she doesn’t care. So stop with the guilt trip.

6. The Formula is Best, Forget the Breast Mom: These moms tend to be a rare breed. They don’t buy in to this breastfeeding thing. Formula was the go-to for years, so why is everyone going on and on about boobs now? Give it a few years and everyone is going to be yammering on about formula again. She knows formula is best and doesn’t care what anyone else says. Pass the formula can, please. Her boobs are staying right where they are.

The Rest: Many other moms fall somewhere in between these camps. It’s amazing how heated people get over the personal choice of how a mom feeds her a child. Wait until you’re in the hot seat about your decision. I wish you luck.

This post was originally published on The Stay-at-Home Life.

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About Melissa Lilly

Melissa Lilly is a freelance writer and editor living in the Southern United States with her husband, two young children and three cats. She’s the author of The Stay-at-Home Life, a blog capturing all the aspects of motherhood, including the journey of having an autistic child, her own battle with weight loss, and all the fun recipes and activities she concocts. Connect with her on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Pinterest.