According To Vox, Breastfeeding Your Child Isn't Worth The Cost. They Are Dead Wrong.
Vox published a series of informational graphics in a piece titled “The many, many costs of breastfeeding”. In this piece, the author tries to make the point that breastfeeding isn’t free but in doing so they highlights a self-serving attitude and lose sight of the babies who are most impacted by the formula shortage.
Now, the first problem with these graphics is the author refers to women as “lactating parents” and “lactating people.” In her attempt to be woke and virtue signal, she reduces women down to their ability to lactate and also supports the delusion that it’s somehow possible for people who aren’t women (men) to produce breast milk. It isn’t. Only women are capable of producing breast milk. But they can’t help but reinforce this incoherent idea that men can also be women, so they adopt this "inclusive” language not realizing they are alienating and reducing women down to their ability to lactate. It’s ridiculous.
Let’s put aside the dehumanizing language used in the graphics and it’s not difficult notice this piece is riddle with problems. The series of infographics appears to be in response to an obviously ignorant way of thinking, which is held by only a small fraction of people. Most people are aware there are a host of reasons a mother can’t breastfeed. Even as a man, I recognize how difficult breastfeeding can be. My own wife struggled with breastfeeding, so we relied heavily on pumping and formula to provide the nutrients our daughter needed.
Now, let’s talk about the cost. It’s true there are costs associated with pumping, but pumping is not breastfeeding. The author doesn’t really make a distinction. The cost for breastfeeding without the need to pump is relatively insignificant and its definitely not as demanding on a woman’s time. I know this isn’t true for pumping. There are definitely costs that come with pumping but by her own admission, she acknowledges its cheaper to pump than it is to buy formula.
The initial cost of pumping can have some barriers. Breast pumps aren’t cheap. The costs can range from $50.00 - $250.00. But you can find some good breast pumps on Amazon for as little as $50.00. That’s cheaper than some formulas. I would also be remiss if I didn’t mention that insurance companies, state programs and non-profits often assist with covering the cost of breast pumps and prenatal care. The programs vary state to state so I recommend reaching out to your health insurance provider, family services or contact a local pregnancy center to see what’s available.
As for the cost associated with the loss of income from breastfeeding, we aren’t really given more information than a graph that shows a small disparity between women who breast feed and women who give their babies formula. We’re provided with a chart of data from the National Longitudinal Survey of Youth. What study is this referring to? I don’t know. Nowhere in the piece is there a link to the specific study they are referring to, so we’re supposed to just trust the data they provided. I don’t trust it but let’s just pretend for arguments sake there is a disparity, based on this graph provider, it’s insignificant.
One thing that is also missing from this jarring analysis are the benefits that come with breastfeeding. This writer spends a lot of time talking about the cost but ignores the benefits of breastfeeding and/or pumping. For starters, when my wife and I were learning about caring for our daughter, our Doctor specifically shared how instrumental breastfeeding is for a baby to bond with the mother. If you don’t take my word for it, just check out this WebMD article on the Psychological Benefits of Breastfeeding. We were also informed the breast milk initially released after a mother gives birth, called Colostrum, is full of nutrients, antibodies and antioxidants that are vital in building a newborn babies immune system. But I guess these aren’t factors in Aubrey’s cost of breastfeeding? Any benefits the baby may get is ignored.
The author then shifts to costs associated with breastfeeding that are non-monetary. It’s true there are cost that go beyond finances that come with breastfeeding but these are cost that come with parenting in general. When we become parents; we are assuming responsibility for another human being. We are giving up our money, time and energy to provide for our children. That’s parenthood. We do whatever is required of us to ensure our children are taken care of. No one thinks a parent who breastfeeds time is worthless; we know that time is valuable because it’s being spent on caring for the life of a vulnerable human being who needs us.
Parenthood isn’t a job that you clock into; it’s a responsibility you assume the moment of conception and continues well after birth. We are entrusted with the children we brought into the world, and we are to live self-sacrificially for them. We are to put their needs above of own. This is part of what it means to love.
The glaring problem with the whole point being made is that it ignores the very children we alone are responsible for. The formula shortage could have grave consequences for babies who can’t care for themselves. It is the responsibility of the parents to do everything humanly possible to care for their child. If that means losing time, energy and sleep then that’s something we have to do. Most parents would happily pay any price necessary to see their child prosper; even if it’s at their own expense. If I was in a situation where I would have to sacrifice my time, my money, my energy and even my life for my daughter I would do it without hesitation.
Judgment from strangers, significant loss of time, exhaustion and even the loss of bodily autonomy are all cost worth paying if it benefits your child’s overall wellbeing. Parents who love their children can easily recognize this. The only people who don’t are selfish individuals who need to look beyond themselves and into the eyes of their precious babies who need them.
It’s also noteworthy to point out that the loss of bodily autonomy is the same argument pro-abortion advocates make to justify ending the life of their unborn babies. It’s not surprising to see this argument also being applied to children who have already been born.
At the end of the day; children depend on us long after they are born. The fact that they need us only reinforces our responsibility to them.
I asked my wife what she would do if we had another baby and we we’re unable to get formula and her only options were breastfeeding or pumping. Without hesitation she said, “I would pump until I died.”
She understands what it means to be a parent. She understands the self-sacrificial love that comes being a mother. Something that is lost on Aubrey Hirsch.
In the midst of a nationwide formula shortage, the message Vox is communicating is that your child’s well-being isn’t worth the cost. They are dead wrong. The well-being of your child is always worth it.