A mum has written an honest open letter to the stranger who shamed her for not breastfeeding her child.
Annie Ferguson Muscato from Florida took to her social media account after someone walked up to her in a shop, when she was buying a can of baby formula, and told her “breast is best.”
She explains in her emotional post: “You didn't need to tell me, 'breast is best' as I was buying a can of baby formula, because I already know.”
Annie goes on to say that she and her husband attended the breastfeeding classes and saw the lactation consultant but also struggled at first.
She continues: “I know 'breast is best' just like you do… But, let me tell you what else I know. I know that my baby began screaming after she ate. Writhing in pain. Inconsolable.
“I know that my baby began screaming after she ate. Writhing in pain. Inconsolable. I know over the last month and a half I have exclusively pumped and tried slow flow bottles of breast milk, I have tried different positions, I have seen another lactation consultant.
“I know I have held my child, my baby, while she screamed for hours- one day for eight hours straight. I know we have been to see the pediatrician at least twice a week since she has been born.
“I know that I tried cutting soy, and dairy, and leafy greens from my diet to make my milk more digestible for her.
“I have pumped- and I'm still pumping- enough to have hundreds of ounces of breast milk in my freezer even though she will likely never be able to eat it. All because 'breast is best.'”
Annie says that they then turned to hypoallergenic dairy protein free formula, the one which she was buying in the store when she was shamed, and this seemed to work.
Her little girl stopped screaming and started smiling, interacting and sleeping – something which brought tears to Annie’s eyes.
She revealed: “And I cried. Because I thought breast was best. I thought my body failed her. I thought she wouldn't be as healthy on formula.
“I know you think I must not care or I'm lazy, or maybe you were genuinely trying to be helpful and thought no one had ever told me the benefits of breast feeding.
“I know you think I must not care or I'm lazy, or maybe you were genuinely trying to be helpful and thought no one had ever told me the benefits of breast feeding.
“But, you are wrong. What I know that you don't is that breast ISN'T always best. I know happy, healthy baby is best. I know FED is best.
“What I'm sure we both know is that parenting is hard. Really hard. That sometimes what we plan for and what we want just doesn't work out, but we are all here trying to do what's best for our babies.”
“What I'm sure we both know is that parenting is hard. Really hard. That sometimes what we plan for and what we want just doesn't work out, but we are all here trying to do what's best for our babies.”
“So, dear stranger, next time you see someone buying formula, try to remember that mamas should support each other. Think about everything you might not know. Remind yourself that 'fed is best' and smile because it means someone loves their baby enough to do what's best for them.”
The post has received over 90,000 ‘Likes’ and has been shared over 44,000 times. It has also received some incredible feedback with a number of mothers sharing their stories.
One person wrote: "This is awesome! Well done for speaking up... Fed is best!!! Breast isn't always best, as much as we would all love to do it!" Another commented: "Nicely said. I totally understand. My daughter ended up on hypoallergenic formula after 7 weeks."
More and more mothers are sharing their breastfeeding experiences on social media which we think is fantastic. If you are having problems breastfeeding, it is best to consult your doctor or midwife.
