Breastfeeding

To those of you who are actually still reading my blog, thanks.  To those of you who read it and are not mothers you may want to skip this one.  After a nudge here and a tug there, I feel almost obliged to share this post.  I guess truthfully it has been a long time coming.  I got the full shove yesterday saying "Share! Share!" after hearing this story.  My brother and his fiance have a friend who just had a baby.  The mother was on board to Breastfeed, and then a nurse in the hospital told her it would make her nipples crack and bleed.....scared the girl to death, and scared her so much she is bottle feeding.  It is insane to me that the world isn't more encouraging of mother's who breastfeed.  They should be applauded for their accomplishments, not chastised for their choices.  Breastfeeding is a commitment.  I had no idea how much of one until I was in the midst of it.  I read plenty of books before Martin came so I would be "ready", honestly you don't learn anything until you do it!  Martin had a tough time latching at first (he only would nurse on the left side) but he eventually got it.  I know without a doubt if I hadn't had the support system that I had, I would have given up.  You have to really WANT to breastfeed to do it, and to make it work.  It is a shame that our society isn't more accommodating to breastfeeding mothers.  And, if that wasn't bad enough, mothers often face negativity from friends and family members about their choice to breastfeed their babies.  Do these Negative Nancys not see the same research that I do.  Study after study proves how beneficial breastfeeding is for both baby and Mommy. 

What are the health benefits of breastfeeding?

• Breastfeeding protects babies from infections and illnesses that include diarrhea, ear infections and pneumonia.
• Breastfed babies are less likely to develop asthma.
• Children who are breastfed for six months are less likely to become obese.
• Breastfeeding also reduces the risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS).
• Mothers who breastfeed have a decreased risk of breast and ovarian cancers.

And, if those reasons were not enough, why not the whole aspect of cost efficiency???  It is estimated that the economic benefit is between $1,200-$1,500 saved in just the first year alone on infant formula.  Makes that $279.99 Medela Breast Pump seem like a CHEAP investment, doesn't it?  Please don't get me wrong, lots of mothers choose not to breastfeed, that is their choice!  I agree with their choice 100% because that is THEIR choice.  It is a very personal choice, and plenty of people want to breastfeed, and can't for whatever reason.  That doesn't make my baby better than theirs, or happier than theirs, or anything like that.  No woman should ever be made to feel guilty because of her decision to breastfeed or not to breastfeed.  I am simply saying I wish the world was more encouraging of women who do choose to breastfeed their babies. 

When we were in the hospital, I had a nurse who I wanted to do physical harm to, because she was so PUSHY about us giving Martin a bottle.  Apparently he hadn't had enough wet diapers in her mind....hello crazy woman, my milk hasn't come in.  And, if it was that important for him to eat right this minute, God would have designed a woman's body to have her milk come in immediately.  If women in the jungles of Africa can raise babies without formula, then I can too (I digress......).  The lactation consultant was a big help, and was very reassuring, I just wish I would have been able to meet with her earlier so the nurses wouldn't have upset me so much, and made me feel guilty.  I never gave in to giving a bottle, but I got pretty close.  Martin is doing amazing, and growing everyday, I am truly so happy I stuck with it.  So, if you know a mother out there breastfeeding, or are perhaps thinking of it yourself, please give her all the encouragement and support she needs.  That is all for now.  I will step down off my soapbox!!