Breastfeeding - Page 3

captaincatholic · #31 Jun 22, '04, 11:19 am

I am preparing to enter into the Sacrament of Holy Matrimony in a few weeks, so please pray for me and for my affianced husband.

One of the first things we talked about before deciding to get married was breastfeeding. Several very holy priests have done extensive writing on this issue, including Cardinal Mindzenty, a Hungarian bishop and a martyr of the twentieth century, and a living priest, Fr. William D. Virtue. I highly reccomend reading up on the writings of either one. Cardinal Mindzenty's book is entitled "Mother's Milk", and Fr. Virtue has written extensively and presented on the subject of the morality of breastfeeding. I think you can get his writings and talks through either Couple to Couple League or through La Leche.

Also, as the oldest of a large family, I have been able to observe many of the advantages of breastfeeding firsthand. I hope and pray to be able to offer myself to our family, and beg all of you who are able to do the same.

God bless!

KEI

lilder · #32 Jun 22, '04, 11:33 am

Captiancatholic,

Thanks for the reading recomendation. I will look for those.

And I agree that breastfeeding is so easy. My in-laws think I am nuts to breastfeed. My sister-in-law's son is three days younger than my son, and it is evident when we are together how much more convienant breast are compared to bottels.

Lilder

UxoretMater · #33 Jun 22, '04, 11:45 am

Breastfeeding is SOOOOOO convenient!!!! No pacifiers to hunt down and wash off, no late night bottle warmings, cuddle time in the morning so I don't have to rush out of bed to get a bottle! So many reasons besides nutrition!

Captain Catholic,

Father Virtue is great!! Here is an INTERVIEW FROM CANTICLE MAGAZINE

Quote:

The basic moral principle, which had been articulated by the 18th century Catholic, Dr. Cappellman, is that the milk belongs to the baby. This was reaffirmed by Pope John Paul II in his address to the Pontifical Academy of Sciences. Whereas the presentations by the scientists were on the technical aspects and physical benefits of lactation, the Holy Father focused on the personal and spiritual dimensions of maternal nursing, emphasizing the mutual personal presence of the mother and infant.

I love that line, the milk belongs to the baby, for what other purpose is there for it?

daniellet · #34 Jun 22, '04, 7:12 pm

I do believe breastfeeding is a spiritual/moral issue. The fact that the 2 Popes have written about breastfeeding along with some other lovely materials I've read on ecological breastfeeding are partially responsible for my conversion to Catholocism! I've seen nothing of the sort in any official Protestant teaching, although one of my favorite authors, Dr. William Sears is a Protestant.

May I be blunt? To willfully withhold milk from an infant is selfish. God created a beautiful system to provide nourishment, body and soul, for the tiniest and most helpless of creatures. Who are we as mothers to withhold that which God has created for our babies? If a mother cannot physically breastfeed or is sabatoged by an ignorant medical community then there is no immorality in her feeding formula to her infant. Reasons of preference are immoral in my eyes. That said, when I see a woman formula feeding I do reserve judgment because I do not know her circumstances!

iguana27 · #35 Jun 22, '04, 8:02 pm

Pope Pius XII thinks breast is best!

In 1941, Pope Pius XII urged all mothers to breastfeed their babies. He was addressing Women of Italian Catholic Action about doing their best to develop character of their children. It is clear from the context that he thought that character formation could start right at the breast. Today, this benefit of character building, along with the many other psychological and physical benefits, are no longer a “mystery,” but are scientifically validated. We leave you with his quote:

“This is the reason why, except where it is quite impossible, it is more desirable that the mother should feed her child at her own breast. Who shall say what mysterious influences are exerted upon the growth of that little creature by the mother upon whom it depends entirely for its development.”- Pope Pius XII, “Guiding Christ’s Little Ones,” October 26, 1941

His words deserve consideration!

iguana27 · #36 Jun 22, '04, 8:04 pm

Here's an interesting link to a story about a breastfeeding chapel in Peoria

http://www.cdop.org/catholic_post/cu...ed_article.cfm

lilder · #37 Jun 23, '04, 8:59 am

Does anyone know wher I can get a copy of the cards metioned in this article about the "Theotokos (Mother of God) Chaplet" ?I would dearly love to have this.

Lilder

Black Jaque · #38 Jun 23, '04, 11:29 am

Would it be sinful to sustain your older children on Twinkies, french fries, and soda, when you have healthier options?

Bottle feeding is sufficient, but it is not optimum. Now the U.S. has one of the highest standards of living than any other nation at any other time, yet we have pathetically low breastfeeding rates. So what is our excuse?

daniellet · #39 Jun 23, '04, 4:43 pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by kamz

I will never cast a stone at someone who chooses to bottle feed for whatever reason, that is way to petty, you have to pick your fights. I will however go up against abortion, murder, homoseuality, dirty politics etc. My opinion is that there are some pretty big things that need to get taken care of in this world such as I stated some of them above, when those things are no longer an issue then we can debate breast vs bottle. If everyone focused as much energy on ending abortion, homosexuality, world hunger, homeless people as they do on is breast best, wow, think of what we could get done.

But breastfeeding *IS* part of being prolife, imo, and it *IS* a big issue. Millions of children, yes millions, have died in third world countries due to formula use (mainly because of formula mixed with dirty water or watering it down due to financial constraints). Furthermore, in our own country, studies have shown that formula fed infants are 7 times as likely to be hospitalized and twice as likely to die in their 1st year of life. Some breastfeeding experts have also contended that the disparity between black infant mortality (14 out of 1000) and white infant mortality (7 out of 1000) could be evened out if african-americans breastfed at the same rate as whites. The breast verses bottle issue is a whole lot more serious than a few extra ear infections. It may not be your issue to "champion", but please do not belittle the issue or the people who champion its cause!

Respectfully,
Danielle

jess7396 · #40 Jun 23, '04, 5:17 pm

Breastfeeding

.

I know how hard it *can* be, with my first child, my milk was gone by 4 months, and she was completely on formula- it's one of my biggest parenting regrets, that I didn't try harder.

I do not judge mamas feeding formula as I do not know their circumstances. I do educate every pregnant woman who seems willing to discuss it, and offer to come to their houses in the early days to help get the latch right, etc.

I know there are medical reasons why some cannot BF, less than 5% of women won't make enough milk, some women need medications which do not mix with BFing, still others have a history of sexual abuse that bars them from being able to nurse comfortably (I know one such woman who exclusively pumped and bottlefed her baby breastmilk- now- that's dedication).

Is it a religious issue? I think so- to an extent. Not nursing without good reason (ie- out of selfishness), to deny your child their birthright of the perfect infant food, to deny the way God made you and your baby to co-exist, sure seems like it would be wrong to me. I love reading the Pope's words on breastfeeding, beautiful.

I only discuss BFing with women who are pregnant or hoping to get pregnant, b/c then there is a point (beyond I am right- you are wrong)- I want to help them BF, I want to help them see how important it is, how easy it is (after you get going), etc.. It does me no good to argue the morality of BFing with someone who has a child already (who is not nursed), it only serves to make the mom feel guilty, but- if she gets pregnant again- I'll be there to help!

proud2bcatholic · #41 Jun 23, '04, 5:36 pm

I have a question. About how long do mothers breastfeed their babies?

iguana27 · #42 Jun 23, '04, 5:56 pm

Mothers breastfeed their babies anywhere from 0 days to 5-6 years.

I am sure that there are a few that feed for more than 6 years, but probably not a lot!!!

I breastfed my first for 3 months, my second for 12 months, and my third is still nursing at 14 months.

kamz · #43 Jun 23, '04, 7:29 pm

Please just don't belittle women who choose to bottle feed.
Its like some women get so into the fact that they breastfeed and all the awesome facts that they comd off sounding like if you are not just like them and breastfeeding then you should not have had children because your not a good enough mommy if you choose to bottle feed for whatever purpose. Its fine to support breastfeeders and people who want info about it but to shove it down peoples throats is not going to help the cause.
My sister did not want to breast feed and her husband is a doctor and knows all the excellent benefits of breastfeeding but he also knows that formula feeding has come an amazingly long way and babies who are formula fed will do just fine. My sisters children are so healthy, no ear infections nothing and her two school aged children are in advanced learning because they are so smart that they get bored in the classroom and the teacher think they need more to stimulate them because they are way ahead of the other children their age and they were Never breastfed.
If a woman wants to breastfeed that is so cool and it is the best and for a woman who wants to but is scared to then she needs lots and lots of support ok? But, if a woman says, you know I just really am not comfortable with breastfeeding and I just really would like to bottlefeed, hey, we need to support that woman too and if you can't then I don't know what type of christian that says you are and I'm not trying to be mean but the posts so far on here are all for the breastfeeding moms and patting eachother on the back, like, way to go and thats great but I don't see any its ok girl that your bottle feeding, your still a wonderful mommy too, you just totally cut that person down and I just don't understand how you reach someone like that and I just think of how much I love and respect my sister and what an amazing mom she is and how amazing, smart, healthy etc. her kids are and I just start to cry that people are out there passing judgement on bottle feeding moms when they don't pass judgement on you

kenzi · #44 Jun 23, '04, 7:37 pm

I know what your saying about feeling like the breastfeeders are coming down on you and or your sis, give it to the Lord, really, he is the one that it is most important to please.
You've got my way to go and so does your sis.
I so wish women would be more supportive of one another and try to see the things they have in common instead of looking for the flaws in eachother. I know I will probably get flogged for saying anything at all, I just thought that Catholic Answers would be more of a supportive type board, but it seems like lots of christians just passing judgement on eachother. Very sad

iguana27 · #45 Jun 23, '04, 8:46 pm

I don't think this forum is about coming down on people. I think it is about education, and discussing the issue of breastfeeding from the Catholic perspective.

One of the wonderful things about the Catholic faith is that there is a great deal of information provided to us in all areas of our life, including mothering. As I posted above, even a pope has had something to say about the beauty of breastfeeding from a psychological and spiritual perspective.

While I can understand that some may feel uncomfortable with the prospect of nursing their children, some education and information on the issue might help alleviate some of their concerns.

Suggesting that breastfeeding is a moral issue is not a slam on those who choose not to, but food for thought (no pun intended) for all involved.

The call to motherhood is not an easy one. And even for the bottle-feeding mother, certainly not convenient.

As for physicians, I have been told by a former physician that breastfeeding was probably the best, but inconvenient! At the same visit I recieved a form to fill out from a formula company for marketing purposes. Sometimes the industrial hospital-medical complex does not have the best interests of the child at heart when they make their recommendations. They must also think of the almighty dollar. No one profits except the child and the mother when the breast is chosen over formula.

If, after honestly evaluating all the evidence, papal teaching, etc. one decides not to breastfeed, that is an issue between the person and God. However, this forum seems to be the place for discussion of the moral implications of such a choice. All of our choices, especially ones concerning the care of our children, are essentially moral ones.

I'm sorry if that seems unfair or mean.