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Back when I was a college student I took a European womens history class and we were studing child care in England in the 19th and 20th centuries. Before this time period pediatrics never really existed. They had midwives to help with child birth, which they still continued for quite some time. Then when the wives would do their daily chores they would hang their babies on hooks.

During the 19th and 20th centuries they had leagues of lady nurses since women couldn't be doctors. The huge controversy during this time was whether or not breastfeeding was beneficial to the baby. The wealthy elite preferred to bottle feed because they could afford the bottles and the nipples and they liked how much easier it was. The poor still continued to breastfeed because they couldn't afford the extra expense of these supplies. There were leagues of ladies that would go into the poor areas and try to tell the mothers the ease of bottle feeding and how it was more sanitary. But the truth of the matter was that it was not sanitary and the poor refused not only because of the extra expense of the supplies, but they did not want to go along with the ways of the wealthy elite. In comparing breastfeeding and bottle feeding during this time period they found that breastfeeding was the healthiest and most beneficial to the baby.

I think nowadays women are so busy that it is easier to pump and can be less awkward if you're in a public place. In my opinion I think that breastfeeding is healthier and it just seems more like a natural motherly thing to do.

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Tai
Maternity.com Forum Director

Easier to pump? Wow I am impressed. I breastfed two babies and had plenty of milk but could never get the hang of pumping. For me it was a heck of a lot easier just to nurse.

Shoot, with more than one child I don't have time to pump! LOL.

Honestly though, both of my girls are incredibly healthy. Never an ear infection or lingering cold. The oldest fights off a cold in half a day. It's amazing and I attribute it directly to breastfeeding.

I'd rather breastfeed my baby than pump! It feels so good to have my baby breastfed and to be closer to him/her for a long time. It feels really different with my 2 sons. I am not as close to my first one coz he hasn't breastfed me.

Like you I love the closeness that I feel with breastfeeding. I love lying close and cuddling while feeding.