A Q&A Interview with Allison Siwirski

 Since the beginning of time, breastfeeding has been a special bond between mother and child. We sat down with Allison to get a modern viewpoint on this method to not only educate fellow mothers but to break the stigma of breastfeeding seen commonly today.

What made you decide to breastfeed your child? 

Overall, breastfeeding is much more affordable than a formula with a variety of benefits. Your body can recognize illnesses the baby has, allowing antibodies from any past infections to be created to fight off various diseases. In general, I have noticed that my baby has not become as severely sick or ill as other babies. In addition to the antibody creation, you can also pass along the antibodies in your body to the body of your baby. I contracted the COVID-19 virus, which allowed me to pass my antibodies to my son. Baby formula is efficient, but it will never match the exact antibodies that your body will respond to and provide to the baby.

Do you feel there is a breastfeeding stigma? 

Yes! A good friend of mine posted a photo on social media of her breastfeeding with no nipple exposure. Various comments on the photo made her feel ashamed, simply due to the fact that she was feeding her child. Another point of the stigma of breastfeeding is sexuality, as a whole. People get freaked out seeing a breast at a public park but will turn around and pay money to go to a strip club. Overall, a woman should not feel afraid or ashamed to feed her baby.

What are the pros of breastfeeding? 

Antibodies are a very important pro to breastfeeding. Skin-to-skin contact, as well as the actual milk, can recognize antibodies needed to produce a healthy life. Due to the nationwide shortage of formula, breast milk is available whenever needed. Overproduction of breast milk can allow you to freeze it for up to one year, although it is best to use it within 6 months. It is important to watch what you consume. Different foods produce different tastes in milk, so you can change your diet to adjust to different foods for the baby. Also, the formula stays fresh for 2 hours at room temperature, whereas breast milk will stay fresh for 4 hours.

What are the cons of breastfeeding? 

When it comes to pumping breast milk, there are time restrictions. You have to take the time to pump the milk, as well as complete it at specific times. This can produce anxiety, especially while waiting for the pumping to be complete. I initially began breastfeeding for the first 2 months of postpartum. Unfortunately, my son had a bad latching issue. Some babies simply cannot latch properly. Thankfully, pumping breast milk will continue the bond between you and your baby.

Overall, breastfeeding is a special bond between mother and child that should be cherished as such. Although the initial bond can be painful, you can use exclusive pumping methods to continue the connection. The baby can also continue to benefit from specific nutrition benefits from breast milk for a long time to come.