A photographer who created a series of photos featuring mums bottle feeding their babies hopes to shed light on the bond that can still exist without breastfeeding.
Mum of three, Nikke Whitman recently met with women who chose to bottle feed their babies based on choice or because of circumstances out of their control, and was surprised by what she discovered.
Talking about the photo series ‘Bottle Feeding is Beautiful too’, she says on her site, “I was surprised to find out some of the reasons women choose to bottle feed that I had never before considered. I thought my eyes were open but they had only caught a glimpse past my own personal struggles with breastfeeding and bottle feeding.”
As a birth photographer, Nikke says one of her favourite moments is when the baby tries to breast feed for the first time. “There is something so raw and beautiful about the bonding you see. It’s a wonderful natural event.”
Adding, “Breastfeeding can have a difficult side, too. I have seen and heard countless women weep over difficulties breastfeeding; sometimes not being able to at all despite strenuous efforts, while others claim victory. Some women in shame pick up that bottle to nourish their child with the fear of being judged. This is not okay. Feeding your newborn should never feel shameful!”
Hoping to shed some light on what she learned, Nikke asks, “Can we agree that as moms we are on the same team and bonding and health can be obtained many ways? Our priority is our babies.”
The photographer also lists some of the reasons why mums choose to bottle feed:
- Severely clogged ducts
- Low supply
- No supply
- Insufficient Glandular Tissue (IGT) This means the breasts don’t contain proper milk-making tissue.
- Physically abusive relationship
- Sexual abuse (breast feeding can trigger memories of past events)
- Adoption
- Working mom
- Because it fits their situation best
- Unable to pump
- Dad wants bonding time and to share nightly duties and pumping is limited
- Multiple babies
- Low pain tolerance
- Mastectomy
- Dysphoric Milk Ejection Reflex (D-MER)
- Undiagnosed tongue and lip ties on baby
- Latching issues
- Inverted nipples
- Thyroid issues
- Postpartum Depression
- Raynaud’s disease
- PCOS (Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome )
- Medications (some sustaining medications can be adverse to baby if passed on through breast milk)
- Postpartum Hemorrhage/Retained placenta
Images via Nikke Whitman
