Hanna Rosin, you screwed up!

Making her justifications for short-term breastfeeding, a public forum, Hanna Rosin's The Atlantic article has been all over the place lately. Her multi page rant about how breastfeeding is time consuming and soul sucking is prompting other news outlets to question whether breastfeeding is even worth the obvious health benefits.

Ms. Rosin states that breastfeeding advocates look at formula as a public health menace, on par with cigarettes. In my humble opinion, tis not the formula that is the public health menace, but articles like Ms. Rosin's that are the true health menace.

To justify her tired and overwrought Mombie existence, she sites multiple sources and studies that prove breastfeeding is insignificant, save a bout of diarrhea or two. She claims, through these studies, that there is no proof breastfeeding makes kids healthier, smarter, or more well adjusted.
I agree with her to a certain degree. As militant as I am about breastfeeding my own child, I don't believe that all formula fed babies are stupid, unhealthy, or gearing up for their lot in life as the next Ted Bundy or Charlie Manson. That is where my allowance for her justification ends.

I understand she has multiple children. I, the mother of one semi-high need, not so good at sleeping, 12 month old, can't really fathom a house full of 2 or 3 of them. I know that if we had another child, his/her experience would be different from the first born. That is the true and natural progression of family. I understand the tiring bind she is in. That said, it's no excuse for her to write an article giving other mothers and mothers to be, the impression that breastfeeding is an unnecessary impossibility.

As a woman and mother Hanna Rosin should be ashamed. Her article is an example of the idiocy of our country and culture's take on breastfeeding. Ms. Rosin should not be vilified for ending her breastfeeding session early with child number 3. But she should have thought twice before making her guilt ridden angst public property. We women should support each other decisions to do what is best for their children and families. In countries with paid maternity leave, this lactation bashing is far less occurant. Breastfeeding being a cultural norm is surely one of the reasons why.

Not every women can breastfeed. As controversial as it sounds, unless there is a medical reason contraindicating it, every woman should at least try. There are benefits to breastfeeding. They are proven, at a minimum, to aid and assist a baby's immune system. If further proof be needed, look around you. We are the only species that feeds our young the milk of another species. Basic animal instinct tells other mammals that they breastfeed their young. It's science plain and simple, that breastfeeding improves the survival of the species.

The irresponsibility of Ms. Rosin's article now extends outward. Venues like The New York Times and the Today Show are giving their articles referencing hers, controversial titles likening breastfeeding to a life-sucking vacuum. To me that is dangerous and defeatist. I pray that a mother or mother to be on the fence about breastfeeding, not let one mother's tired and angst ridden rant keep her from trying to achieve from what is a fulfilling, nurturing, and important part of being a mom.