Monday, April 5, 2010

Hmmm mat leave vs nursing room?


My adorable husband just sent me this link
http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,590408,00.html

I fully...fully support breastfeeding, I think every women should give it a try and really try if it's hard for you. I'm very frugal, so I can't imagine spending money on formula, when my body is designed to make the perfect food for my baby, so maybe that is why I really support it hehee. I also bow down to those women that pump exclusively for their child, whether it be because baby would not latch or you just didn't want to have a baby attached to the boob, I am so proud of those women for choosing to pump and supply their child with mommy's milk. But I got slightly irritated at the part of the article that pretty much says they want workplaces to provide somewhere for women to pump to continue supplying their child with breast milk. How about, United States of America, you give what every mother deserves....a full year off. There is NOTHING convenient about time consuming pumping at work...especially after the 6 month mark. Trying to get comfortable in an office building with a pump attached to you for 20 minutes a couple times in your work day....yeah really convenient and oh so easy to get enough to replenish what baby is consuming at daycare. It's no wonder so many moms call it quits before the 6 month mark....because they have to go back to work. I count my lucky stars that I am a Canadian and I am entitled to a full year of leave with pay. And I count my blessings even more that I am still at home with Skyla and it hasn't been a huge financial burden. I mean don't get me wrong, all work places should have somewhere for mothers to pump in comfort....I'm thinking big comfy chairs with foot baths and someone to give you a pedi, a big screen TV with episodes of Sex and the City, and pizza delivered in, because....nursing/pumping makes you hungry...oh and lots of water, cause it makes you thirsty too. But really I think the better choice would be a year of leave...it would also keep the young child away from a ton of other sick kids in a daycare. I get being exposed to germs, we don't live in a purell bubble, in fact I am semi anti antibacterial hand sani, it's good when needed, but soap and water is better, and we need SOME germs! Swimming in a pool of snotty kids in a stuffy room with LOT's of people traffic ie lots of different germs vs being at home with mommy and your usual playdate friends, being exposed to people in stores with a little less contact. Nursing your child vs pumping at work. I think we all know where my vote is.

I am still breastfeeding my 13 month old, and she got her first cold this week, whether than be a coincidence or not, I don't know. But she has been around plenty of sick people and babies and exchange spit with sick babies in her first year of life and not one cold, every time I thought she was getting sick, I popped her on the breast constantly and the symptoms were gone within 12 hours. Whether it's linked or not, I don't know, and I know there are tons of breastfed babies that are constantly sick, so it's not always the cure for every baby. But I take pride in my child's chubby thighs, and her immunity of steel, that my milk has played a huge part in that. I have no plans to stop nursing her anytime soon, and I thank god it has been an easy relationship for us. As I said she is sick right now, and she mostly just wants her comfort food....mommy's milk, instead of table food, and that's fine by me. She is the happiest sick baby I know, so something has to be right.

I make milk, what's your super power ;)

2 comments:

Amber Fraser said...

I agree with you 100%. My SIL is from Virginia and she quit her teaching job to be a SAHM to her 3 boys. She eneded up creating three online businesses and is doing well for herself balancing work/home/kids. She did say that after her 1st son was born she went back to work when he was 3 months old and vowed to find a way to raise her children and support her growing family. I can not imagine how leaving an infant would feel. I think a full year (or more) of Mat Leave is definitely in order.

It is wonderful that Skyla has been able to reap all the benefits of breastfeeding and that you are both able to share this bond. I'm also totally jealous you get to stay at home with your little munchkin.

I hope she gets over her first cold soon so she can get back to her 'normal' self.

Callista said...

Seriously my heart breaks for American moms who have to leave their babies...literally babies. There is no way I could have left Skyla that young, no matter how badly we needed more money. I would have moved to a smaller place, sold stuff we really did not need, found a way to have that first year with her. Thankfully I was granted that being Canadian ;) Wow your sister inlaw seems very dedicated, good for her, for finding a way to make it work. And finding balance being at home with the kids and making time for work!