If you’re in the U.S. or frequent social media platforms that cater to American audiences, you likely recognize that it’s National Breastfeeding Month. How can you tell? There are images of mothers nursing their babies popping up everywhere.
I want to be upfront: I did not breastfeed my three children for personal reasons—not due to inability or failure, but simply because it wasn’t the right choice for me. I have immense respect for those who do breastfeed; after all, it’s a significant physical and emotional undertaking following a ten-month pregnancy and childbirth. I wasn’t prepared for that commitment.
What I find perplexing, however, is the need for an entire month dedicated to promoting breastfeeding on social media. Is this truly necessary? I genuinely want to understand because I can’t imagine there’s anyone in the developed world unaware that breastfeeding is widely regarded as the best option for infants. It makes me question whether this month is more about showcasing breastfeeding mothers and encouraging compliments rather than genuinely informing mothers about its benefits. I mean, come on—if a mother hasn’t been living under a rock, she knows breastfeeding is beneficial. And if she has been living under a rock, is she even seeing all this breastfeeding chatter?
I recognize that breastfeeding mothers face criticism for nursing in public, which I find baffling. Why would anyone be offended by something so natural? However, we live in a world with its share of intolerant individuals. It’s akin to those who grumble about sharing public spaces with children, declaring, “NO KIDS IN RESTAURANTS!” or “NO FEEDING BABIES IN PUBLIC!” These folks seem to think that “public” should only include what they personally enjoy.
In that light, I understand the importance of normalizing breastfeeding by doing it openly and without shame. However, dedicating a whole month to this while neglecting other healthy feeding options seems unfair. Mothers who choose formula also deserve support. Trust me; I know this all too well.
It appears that National Breastfeeding Month, initially meant to support women, has evolved into a subtle means of shaming—not just for those who don’t breastfeed, but for any mother who feels she doesn’t meet societal expectations in this area.
We already place immense pressure on mothers to do everything right. An entire month filled with images of women who make breastfeeding look effortless isn’t helping anyone. What about the mother struggling to get her baby to latch after countless consultations? How does the barrage of success stories help her?
What about the mother who is dealing with painful complications? Does anyone genuinely think she needs to feel worse because breastfeeding isn’t working out for her? And let’s not forget those who don’t breastfeed, either by choice or circumstance. We’re well aware that breastfeeding is preferred; that message has been drilled into us repeatedly, so it’s safe to say we’ve made informed decisions or faced necessary medical challenges.
And speaking of those in difficult situations—what about women living in poverty? Statistically, they are the least likely to breastfeed. Are we genuinely helping them by plastering breastfeeding images all over social media? Enlighten me on how that aids a woman struggling to provide for herself and her child. Unless there’s a significant effort to offer real support on the ground, this isn’t solving anything.
Moreover, has anyone asked these women if they even want to breastfeed? It’s their body and their choice. If a mother is not feeding her baby at all, then yes, we have a serious issue. But if she is, I don’t see this as a national crisis.
While formula may not offer the nutritional advantages of breast milk, it is an FDA-approved alternative for nourishing infants. There are countless healthy, thriving adults who were bottle-fed. The real concern lies in infant mortality due to inadequate nutrition, which can sometimes be exacerbated by the stigma around formula feeding. With all the pressure to breastfeed, some mothers may fear they are failing and choose to allow their babies to go hungry rather than supplement with formula. This is a troubling situation.
The core idea behind National Breastfeeding Month is commendable—supporting women in need. The issue lies in how we promote breastfeeding, often creating division between breastfeeding and formula-feeding mothers. We need to stop the unrealistic comparisons and social media portrayals that fuel feelings of inadequacy among mothers.
Breastfeeding support has turned into a competition, with underlying messages that scream, “Look at me! Praise me for breastfeeding!” Comments suggesting that “everyone should at least try to breastfeed” or “if you didn’t want to breastfeed, you shouldn’t have become a mother” can make National Breastfeeding Month uncomfortable for many women.
Instead of isolating mothers based on their feeding choices, we should celebrate all healthy options available to parents. Perhaps we should consider a National I Feed My Baby Month? Ultimately, what matters most is ensuring healthy babies are being fed, regardless of how that happens.
Summary
National Breastfeeding Month, intended to support mothers, has transformed into a platform that can inadvertently shame those who don’t breastfeed. The pressure placed on mothers to conform to a singular narrative regarding infant feeding can be damaging and divisive. While breastfeeding deserves recognition, all feeding choices should be embraced and supported. A more inclusive approach could foster solidarity among mothers, leading to a healthier dialogue about infant nutrition.