I'm not a parent or anything, but I like to be informed about all these kind of things just in the extremely rare case that I become a daddy. In these circumstances, I believe breastfeeding is a wonderful thing, a beautiful thing, and a healthy thing for both parties (althought I'm not sure how long one should be breastfed). Living in America, it seems that most people are indoctornated into going to the bottle and formula along with many other horrible things. My main question is that if I were to get with someone who does not share similar views with raising children such as breastfeeding, no shots, etc, what should I do? If my sister answers this thread, I love you.
Also, this video made me cry and I don't know why since I'm not one to cry over happy things. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vHgZn8OXA9Q
I think it's brilliant you are questioning and researching, and I find it very exciting for a male to be doing so. I believe what it comes down to is either finding someone who is willing to look at the research and make their minds up according to that, or find someone without strong opinions one way or the other who is interested in finding out more. I know my partner knew very little about parenting styles, or issues such as vax, breastfeeding, or circumsision. However, when the research and parental instinct is allowed to be followed through and honored, the choices are clear. BTW, the WHO organization recommends breastfeeding 2 years, the american pediatrics recommends a minimum of one year.
i wonder if the fact that other countries have maternity leave that is incredible compared to the u.s.'s is a big factor in why mothers don't breastfeed as much here... because i think it is. i would love to breastfeed for many months... but i don't know if it's going to be possible to use a breast pump at my job, and i Have to work to live.
OT- Tigerlily - The state where you work has some very good laws upholding the woman's right to pump at work. LLL would have some great resources. I know it seems early in your pregnancy, but as the primary breadwinner, it might be wise to start looking into your options, finding a hospital grade pump, getting your "village" and legal information together, and just adjusting to the idea. Any workplace that doesn't "allow" you to pump is violating your right as a parent to provide nourishment to your child. You have to be assertive. To the OP - Knowing what you want and believe in regards to your children, and how strongly you believe or how far you will bend before meeting a woman to share your children with will take you a long way. You'll know what questions to ask, what things to research, what you will and will not back down on. If you fall for a woman that is staunchly anti-breastfeeding, or pro-vaccinating, or pro-hospital birth, you can tell her where you stand, offer some research and documentation, and if nothing sways her on the points that are make-or-break for you, decide to stay with her and not have children, or end the relationship. Because first and foremost, parenting is a partnership that is equal and both parties need to feel like they are listened to, appreciated, and their beliefs upheld. This goes for men and for women. While, yes, the woman will ultimately be the one birthing and feeding the baby, any daddy that is so staunchly in support of bf-ing or a certain type of birth needs to find a like-minded woman to create a child with.
well i think that making the decision to have children with someone should come after finding that you agree on most ways to raise them. in america it is true that many people seem to make parenting decisions out of convience for themselves rather than whats best for their children. btw the american academy of pediatrics says that a baby should be breastfed exclusively for at least 6 months. however at a year old a child immune system is only 60 percent mature so if you can go past a year you are doing the best thing you can for your baby.
Another thing is that breast milk's antibodies change. For instance, if a mother gets a virus, her milk will produce antibodies against that particular strain. Amazing.
