As if a new mom with anxiety doesn’t have enough to deal with as it is now there is even more breast feeding guilt.
I heard on the radio that the mayor of NYC Michael Bloomberg is putting even more pressure on new mothers to breastfeed.
When a new mother does have the audacity to request a bottle of formula, “…She’ll also get a talking-to. Staffers will explain why she should offer the breast instead,” according to The New York Post -Mayor Bloomberg Pushing NYC Hospitals to Hide Baby formula so More New Moms will Breast-Feed..
Of course I know that breastfeeding is best for the baby. I think most women understand this.
But as someone who has gone through the pregnancy, birthing, and post-partum 
phases with both my children while doing battle with anxiety and depression, this news just hit a raw note with me.
How I wish I didn’t take this personally, but I am so sensitive about this subject I just have to vent.
The pressures in American society today to breastfeed are unbelievable. You cannot even imagine. Talk about feeling guilty.
And breast feeding is not easy for everyone- and it is simply not an option for others. See this post at Baby Center about moms feeling guilty about quitting breastfeeding- it has over 500 replies!
Anxiety makes you doubt yourself at every turn and it is even more amplified with motherhood.
For me I had to go back on my anxiety medication as soon as I delivered and therefore could not breast feed. I felt horrible about it – I can’t even describe it.
Even today, with both of my daughters as healthy teens I still feel a pang of guilt whenever people bring up breastfeeding.
I just pray that pregnant women and new moms have better self esteem than I did when I was a young mother. If you are taking prescribed medications for anxiety to keep you ok, you are giving your baby the biggest gift- the gift of a healthy mother.
And that to me is more important than copping to (stupid) pressure to not take medication and breast feed while you suffer.
I wish you peace,
Jill G.
ps.- If you are a new mother suffering with anxiety please see this post- New Mom? Social Anxiety Help.
Hi jilly
No guilt I bet your 2 kids have grown up strong and well without breastfeeding
Omg what happened to freedom of choice
To all new mums it’s your choice not the mayors you have to do what is right for you
Maz x
Yes of course my kids are fine. I know it’s my choice and I just hope new moms do as well. The societal pressure to breastfeed can feel really overwhelming. As if being a new mom with anxiety isn’t overwhelming enough. Breastfeeding is the hot topic at Mommy & Me groups etc. and has been for years. When someone can’t breastfeed due to medical reasons or for taking medication that might be harmful to baby it’s not exactly easy to explain.
I feel for new moms- especially those with anxiety. Just my 2 cents, for what its worth.
Shame social pressure can take away some of the joy of motherhood and shame you should have to explain yourself
Your right Jill it’s enough being a new mum without all of that dross
Maz x
Yeah it does suck. I hope all new moms with anxiety don’t feel they have to cop to this pressure and take care of themselves first and foremost.