I think it’s a personal choice for a woman to breast feed and no one should be bullied into it, especially if said woman may not have the choice. My wife was such a person, a woman ostracized for her inability to breastfeed. Even our government put out a commercial featuring a pregnant woman thrown from a mechanical bull, equating that action to not breastfeeding. There’s an unnecessary hysteria surrounding the practice. Does it have benefits? Yes, but if you believed what you read you’d have the impression the world is made up of two types of people: those vehemently against BF’n and those who think not breastfeeding is tantamount to child abuse. I’d like to think people are not so extreme. So in the spirit of unity, here are the top reasons not to breastfeed and the top 5 why you should.

The Cons:

1)      Mastitis. An inflammation of the mammary gland occurring in lactating mothers. Nipple can get infected and turn into an abscess that must be surgically removed. Although this can occur in non-breastfeeding women, it’s more likely in breast feeders.

2)      The Psychological Benefits are False. The conventional wisdom was breastfeeding led to a more focused, less hyperactive child adept at forming peer relations. However, an exhaustive study recently proved these assumptions wrong.  Experts and laymen presumed that the constant physical closeness involved with breastfeeding would do all kinds of psychological wonders. Nope.

3)      B-Milk in the Bottle is Just as Good. Some women can’t get their kids to latch. Some women simply don’t like the feeling of breast feeding. No problem, just pump a bit of that magic elixir and give it to junior via bottle. Not only is there no shame in it, but now that we know the physical act of breast feeding comes with no special benefits, the bottle is more acceptable than ever.

4)      Where’s the D? This news is hot off the presses: there is insufficient vitamin D in breast milk. A lack of vitamin D can lead to rickets. So, if you breast feed, your kid will become a pirate.

5)      You Should Never Do Anything Just Because of Peer Pressure. Like I said above, breast feeding is a choice. If you want to get a little breast milk to your kid but can’t or don’t want the suckling, that’s your business. And if you don’t want to do it at all, you are not abusing your child.

We’ve covered some of the drawbacks and false benefits of breastfeeding, now here is the good stuff:

1)      Breast Milk Has Antibodies. A breastfed baby is less susceptible to illnesses thanks to the good stuff found in breast milk.

2)      You Save Money. No formula or bottles to buy.

3)      Makes Mommy Feel Attached. Studies may have found that breast feeding has no particular psychological benefits for children, but it can’t hurt a mother’s bond with her child.

4)      Breast Feeding Promotes Jaw Strength. And I don’t mean yours after gritting your teeth at 3 am because you’re up with the baby and your significant other is sleeping soundly. I mean the baby has to work his little jaw harder to get that precious milk, exercises it until he’s got a super jaw. And who doesn’t a toddler that looks like Jay Leno and can chew through steel?

5)      Breast Milk Might Make Your Kid Smarter. The evidence on this one isn’t conclusive, but one study found a link between breast feed children and slight increases in I.Q. However, there is a fairly strong argument that the relationship between breast milk and I.Q. is correlation and not causation. The breast milk itself may have nothing to do with grey matter, but mothers (and couples even) who breast feed are more inclined to be attentive and nurturing toward their children generally. So the magic milk may not be the solution, but once again, it couldn’t hurt.