Why, Exactly, Shouldn't We Help Mothers Breastfeed?

So Michelle Obama has made breastfeeding the current focus of her career as First Lady. Prominant Republican women like Sarah Palin and Michelle Bachman have criticized her for this. While it seems the real motivation behind the criticism is that it was a democrat who suggested it, others have joined in because some women can't breastfeed. Yes, that's true. What's your point?

Imagine if someone had reacted to former First Lady Laura Bush's literacy campaign by saying, "Some people can't read novels due to learning disabilities, others can't read novels due to circumstances that offer them no leisure time, and others choose not to read novels because they just don't want to. Therefore, we should not support public libraries." Ridiculous, right?

Some women have medical issues that prevent them from breastfeeding. No one should feel guilty about being unable to do what they're legitimately unable to do. Some women can't breastfeed due to circumstances. Sometimes life sucks and we have to make hard decisions. No one should feel guilty for doing the best they can with what life throws at them. Some women could breastfeed but don't because they just plain don't want to. And you know what? That's fine, too!

No one is suggesting that women be forced to breastfeed. No one is threatening fines or jail time or taking away children for the "neglect" of formula. All Mrs. Obama wants to do is offer better education and support to those women who really do want to breastfeed but need help to do so. Why, exactly, shouldn't we help mothers who want and need help? Will it really be such a blow to our economy if employers must give working mothers a 15 minute break twice a day and a clean, private space to pump? Will it really make a difference to the running of our government if we make breast pumps and other supplies tax deductible? Is it really creating a "nanny state" to print up some educational materials to have available for new mothers?

I would never criticize another mother for making the best possible decision for herself and her family based on her specific circumstances and the information she has available to her. I do think, though, that at least some women would choose differently if they had access to better information and/or if their circumstances were improved. I will do my best to advocate for those women. If that makes non-breastfeeders feel bad, well, that's their problem. It's too bad the support wasn't available in time to help them.