A study published by The Brooks Institute of Parenting and Medicine, asserts mothers who breastfeed for an extended amount of time and cloth diaper their children have a higher sense of self-worth than mothers who do not.
Dr. Leon Grant, who spearheaded the study, says of the phenomenon, “We’ve known for decades breastfeeding and cloth diapering have health benefits for the child and the environment as a whole, but now we have proof that these activities have the added benefit of making mothers feel morally superior. Simply by breast feeding for longer than anyone else they know, women have been shown to overcome deep-seated insecurities like teenage acne and being told they look chubby by their own mothers.”
The study data shows mothers who breastfeed more than 2 years in addition to cloth diapering their children are 4 times more likely to feel confident that they are better mothers than their neighbors and friends. A link between the so-called ‘Natural Parenting’ movement and the ability to compensate for other shortcomings is becoming apparent.
Study participant Shelby Morrison, who has no intention to stop breastfeeding her 7 year old son, Carter, and hasn’t taught him to use the toilet because she says she truly enjoys the act of cloth diapering him, backs Dr. Grant’s assertions, “I’ve always felt bad about myself in comparison with my sister, Miranda. Her husband is an engineer at Motorola; mine works at the Dairy Queen around the corner. In high school she was on the cheer squad and in student council; I was an understudy to the drama department’s scene painting committee.”
Morrison continued, “Now, when Carter gets off the bus from second grade I lift up my top and call him over to have a quick after school drink. Miranda stares at me with wonder in her eyes and says, I can’t believe you’re still doing that. I merely respond, Well, I guess I just love him more than you love yours, and feel confident I am better than her.”
About Our Contributor
Elizabeth Newlin is a mother of three, Realtor and blogger. Her mother refers to her as ‘irreverent’ in a less than complimentary manner. She wishes she was thinner, but has a medical condition that causes her to really love the taste of bacon blue cheeseburgers. Elizabeth writes the blog: www.realestatetangent.com when she’s not running around like a chicken with its head cut off.
