"I Support You"

Before I became a mother, I never gave a second thought to breastfeeding or formula feeding moms. I never really thought about why someone would choose one over the other, or that there might not even be a choice for some. This week has brought about a slew of articles, information, and great resources for those who are breastfeeding. In addition, it has also drawn attention to the gap between those who nurse, and those who formula feed.

A campaign is under way called "I Support You." The original post talks about how we as mothers tend to judge each other in regards to our choice of feeding. I have chosen to breastfeed. I am not anti formula feeding. I just always imagined myself nursing, and have always wanted that bond and closeness for me and my daughter. I could not imagine giving someone dirty looks or rude comments for feeding their baby. If I want others to not do these things to me, then I too have to support your right to feed your baby any way that you can.

Kim Simon from Mama by the Bay, Suzanne Barston from Fearless Formula Feeder, and Jamie-Lynne Grumet from I Am Not The Babysitter have drafted the I Support You movement, meant to bridge the gap between formula-feeding and breastfeeding mothers; spreading the notion that we’re all feeding our children with love; by breastfeeding, formula feeding, however. 1.

“We are standing together, and we’re asking you to stand up with us. You, at the La Leche League meeting. You, in the lactation consultant’s office, perfecting your newborn’s latch. You, in the Nordstrom’s dressing room, nursing quietly on the couch. You, at your older son’s baseball game, nursing openly in the bleachers. You, who have cried rivers of tears over your feeding choices, and you, who chose without fear.

I support you.

You, in your hospital gown, asking the nurses for formula. You, shaking a bottle with one arm while your baby snuggles close in the other. You, who have researched the healthiest, most tummy-friendly formulas. You, who pump and mix and combo-feed. You, who have cried rivers of tears over your feeding choices, and you, who chose without fear.

I support you.

You, with your partner, as you feed the baby that you are hoping to adopt. You, who had a mastectomy and are locking eyes with new life. You, who chose your mental health, or your physical health, or your freedom, or your lack of freedom, so that you could feed your baby in a way that protected both of you. You, the Daddy who is finger-feeding your infant. You, the Mommy who lovingly pours formula into a G-Tube. You, at the NICU, pumping your breasts by the light of the machines that are keeping your baby alive. You, with the foster child who you are loving back to health. We see you. You are a part of this conversation too.

We support you.”

Kim Simon says, "World Breastfeeding Week isn’t just about those of us who feed our children from our breasts. We are standing up together to say that it can be about all of us. We are all feeding our children with love. What would this world be like, if instead of the vitriol and the hate, the judgment and the propaganda, we simply said to each other “I Support You”?

“The I Support You movement is a respectful, empathetic, compassionate exchange between parents. We all feed our children differently, but we are all feeding with love, and in ways that work for our individual circumstances and family dynamics. I Support You is the first step in helping formula-feeding, breast-feeding, and combo-feeding parents to come together and lift each other up with kindness and understanding. We have chosen to announce this movement during World Breastfeeding Week, to honor the commitment of those who fight for better support for breastfeeding moms; we are inspired by this, but believe that by changing the focus to supporting all parents, we can truly provoke positive change without putting the needs of some mothers above the needs of others. The “I Support You” movement aims:

1) To bridge the gap between formula-feeding and breastfeeding parents by fostering friendships and interactions.

2) To dispel common myths and misperceptions about formula feeding and breastfeeding, by asking parents to share their stories, and really listening to the truth of their experiences.

3) To provide information and support to parents as they make decisions about how to feed their children.

4) To connect parents with local resources, mentors, and friends who are feeding their children in similar ways.”

-Suzanne Barston and Kim Simon

We’re standing up. We’re reaching out. We’re asking you to tell your truth about how you feed your children. No shame. No embarrassment. We’re going to hold out our hands to give you a high five, because we know how hard this is. We’re going to raise our voices to make sure that you hear “Well done, my friend. Well done.” We need you to stand up with us. We support you. Now who will you support? 

#ISupportYou

This movement is so important, since we as mothers need to stand up for our rights as mothers. We need to stand up to society and tell people that judgement needs to stop. I have no clue how our world has become so divided in our thoughts about feeding children. How have we become so judgmental about feeding our children by breast when it's been done for thousands of years before this without thought? Why with the resurgence of a breastfeeding movement, are mothers now giving each other crap for formula feeding? We all know how hard it is to feed a child... to be solely responsible for the life of a child. Who doesn't need support with that kind of responsibility?