Is Breast Really The Best or Is a Mother’s Happiness The Most Important Thing?

When you’re pregnant, deciding whether or not to breastfeed can be a difficult subject to ponder.

You think of your baby, your family and of course your own happiness before making a decision that suits your situation best.

However, Irish women are much less likely to breastfeed compared to our European counterparts with only half of mothers choosing to breastfeed their children, which experts attribute to our culture.

Ellen Butler, a young mother from County Kerry, thought that she would breastfeed while she was pregnant with her first child in 2010.

However, after giving birth to her daughter Lavena she felt that it wasn’t the right decision for her.

“When I was pregnant, I thought I would breastfeed.

“But then when I had my first baby, I felt like I had been through enough. I kind of just wanted to get back to normal.

“When you are pregnant you go through enough changes that you can’t control so that when the baby eventually does come out, you’d like to get yourself back instead of going through another change.

“I felt like I had been through enough. During the pregnancy I had all the good intentions to breastfeed and then towards the end I just wanted to get my mind back and normality back,” she said.

The 25-year-old mother said that bottle-feeding is often perceived as the lazy option but she disputed that this is not the case and it really has much more to do with the happiness of the mother.

“Bottle-feeding isn’t about laziness. It is a lot of work, sterilising bottles, making formula, filling your bottles and you have to keep on top of it.

“I chose bottle-feeding because it was easier for other people like my mum and my baby’s other Nan to help me with feeding the baby and minding the baby. If I needed help, I could give them a tin of formula and off they went,” she said.

Ellen suffered from post-natal depression following the birth of her first child and said she felt too overwhelmed to set her mind to breastfeeding.

“With my first baby, Lavena, I had post natal depression and I felt like how the hell can I breastfeed when I have so many other things going on. You don’t know how you feel until you have the child.

"I had to fit my baby into my life and bottle-feeding felt like the right way to go. The bottom line is that a happy mum is a healthy mum whether that is bottle-feeding or breastfeeding,” she said. After my baby was born I really didn’t feel like breastfeeding was for me.

 

Ellen pictured in Ballybunion County Kerry with her children Lavena and Lewis

However, breastfeeding comes more natural to some mothers and Ainé O’Sullivan said that she always knew she would breastfeed when the time came.

The mother from County Limerick, said that there has always been a strong focus on breastfeeding within her own family, which encouraged her to try and do the same for her baby.

“I was breast-fed myself and it would have been in my upbringing. I didn’t really think about it breastfeeding before I had my baby but when the time came, I knew that it was the right choice for me.

“My mother and my Aunts breastfed all their babies and it was normal for me,” Ainé said.

Ainé, 30, said that breastfeeding her son Matthew encouraged closeness between her and her baby that she really treasures.

“The thing about breastfeeding is that it encourages such a huge bond with your baby and for a long time you feel like you are the same person. You know every little thing about the other and it is an incredible thing.

Ainé said that Ireland does not have a culture of breastfeeding anymore, which she believes is probably responsible for the low numbers of women choosing to breastfeed.

“I think there are a lot of reasons why many women in Ireland don’t breastfeed. It is just not seen as the norm. Bottle-feeding is the normal choice in Ireland and breast-feeding is often seen as an extra and unnecessary step.

“Mothers from previous generations would have predominantly bottle-fed and it was sort of seen that only poorer people breastfed. I think it has a lot to do with the Irish culture and also peoples’ support networks. My family and friends have all been so supportive,” she said.

The mother said that support is extremely important when it comes to successful breastfeeding

“If mothers are struggling with breastfeeding I always say, go to your local La Leche class and get help there. If that is not possible contact a lactation consultant which costs money but it is worth it. It will be money well spent.”

Ainé pictured with her son Matthew in County Limerick

“Although I would never say that everyone should breastfeed I certainly feel like it is a thing I will always be drawn to. If I have another baby I would definitely breastfeed as the experience has been very important for me and my baby,” she said.

Chris Finn national co-ordinator of Friends of Breastfeeding said that Ireland's culture is not one that supports breastfeeding.

"The Irish culture is not one that traditionally supports breastfeeding and support is what is ultimately what women need.

"The sad reality is that women who may want to breastfeed might not feel like they have support from their social circles which may discourage them for doing so."

Mother of two Ellen said that ultimately, what is best for a mother will be best for their child.

“It depends on the mum. If she is happy with whatever way she is feeding, so be it.

“At the end of the day, I have two happy and healthy children and that is what matters,” she said.