06/02/2026
When my kids were babies, I belonged to several mom groups, and one topic that came up over and over again was feeding.
Some believed that if you weren't breastfeeding, you were doing it all wrong and potentially harming your child.
But the support I appreciated most came from the moms who lived by the motto: "Fed is best."
Their point wasn't to dismiss the benefits of breastfeeding. Rather, it was a reminder that every family has different circumstances, and there are countless reasons why a mother may be unable to breastfeed. What mattered most was that the baby was loved, cared for, and had a full tummy.
Full transparency I wasn’t able to breastfeed but I was able to pump. The picture below shows my middle son being very supportive and “pumping” along with me with his shin guards 😜
I find myself thinking about that season of life often, especially when it comes to the birds in our lives.
Are there certain foods that offer more nutritional benefits than others? Absolutely. We should always strive to learn and do the best we can for our birds.
But at the end of the day, is your bird loved? Is it cared for? Are you doing your best with the knowledge and resources you have? Then you're already doing something right.
We all have areas where we can improve. Instead of tearing someone down because their approach to bird care looks different than yours, offer a kind suggestion. Be supportive. Encourage. Educate without judgment. Lead by example.
And remember: just because someone is doing things differently doesn't automatically mean they're doing them wrong.
Let's build a bird community that lifts people up, not one that scares them away.
