Carmen Fields, a well-known personality from the reality series Southern Living, recently shared her experience of ending her breastfeeding journey, and her candidness resonates deeply with many mothers. Just three months postpartum, Fields had been open about her intentions to nurse her newborn, even creating a clever video to quell the critics who questioned her feeding choices.
However, she has now decided to stop breastfeeding, and her reasoning is refreshingly straightforward. In a time when mothers often face judgment for their feeding decisions, particularly those who opt against breastfeeding for personal reasons, Fields has taken to Instagram to share her truth.
“Today is the day I am DONE with breastfeeding,” she announced. “I gave it a solid three months, and now I’m ready to retire the boobs. I hope sharing this helps other mothers feel less isolated.”
It’s common for mothers to provide elaborate explanations when discussing their decision to stop nursing, often detailing challenges like mastitis, low milk supply, or difficulties with latching. Yet, Fields’ case is different—she simply chose to stop. “I’m not quitting because of any health issues. I’m stopping because I’m just OVER IT. By CHOICE,” she stated emphatically.
And to that, we can only say, amen! This is precisely the kind of honesty that mothers need to hear. It’s her body, her choice—end of discussion.
“I know I’ll face criticism for this, but it doesn’t faze me,” she added. “I need my freedom back for my sanity, and switching to bottles and formula will provide that.”
Her sentiment rings true. Personally, I had a similar experience. While I intended to breastfeed my child for as long as he wanted, I found myself solely nursing him for an extended period, as he refused to take a bottle, despite my efforts to find one he liked. The notion of regaining that sense of freedom is incredibly appealing. There were countless moments where I resented how my son’s nursing habits limited my own time and freedom, and I often wonder how much more enjoyable motherhood could have been with the ability to skip a feeding now and then.
Ultimately, there’s no reward for enduring breastfeeding if it brings you distress. If nursing is making you unhappy, it’s perfectly okay to stop without feeling guilty or needing to justify your decision. You don’t need an extensive explanation; simply not wanting to breastfeed is more than enough justification. Fields reminds us that how we feed our babies doesn’t define our worth as mothers. “You are NOT a bad mother if you dislike breastfeeding. A happy mom is the best gift you can give your child.”
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In summary, Carmen Fields’ decision to end her breastfeeding journey speaks volumes about the freedom mothers should feel in their choices. No mother should feel pressured to adhere to a certain standard; what matters most is their happiness and well-being.