WARNING: If you are a family member (of the male persuasion), you may want to turn your head. I'm talking about boobs.
I decided to write this post because I have some readers and friends that are currently pregnant right now and that I know will be breastfeeding when the baby is born. Breastfeeding your baby is not for everyone. Some have complications, others think it's awkward, or some just agree is just isn't the right decision for them. For others, it is a no brainer. I wanted to atleast give it a try. My goal was six months. Why only six months? I did not want to be one of those moms where the child could go and grab your boob and say 'feed me woman.' When your child can ask for it, in my opinion, they are too old. Also, for most children, around six months, the baby starts to teethe. Lord, I did not want teeth clamping down into me. Davis, however, hasn't cut one tooth yet. If he wants to wait a little longer, that's fine by me. I like my sleep right now! So for some of you that are on the fence as to whether or not you want to breastfeed, I thought I would just put some benefits that not everyone thinks of.
BENEFITS OF BREASTFEEDING:
-Of course, there is the obvious-COST! It's free to breastfeed. Now that Davis is on formula, I can't keep up with the kid. We go through that stuff like water. It's awful.
-Reduced risk of chronic constipation, colic, and other stomach upsets (This of course did not relate to us. Davis had colic...I wanted to scream right along with him. Thank God it wasn't too long!)
-Reduced risk of childhood diabetes
-Protection against ear infections, respiratory illnesses, pneumonia, bronchitis, kidney infections, septicemia (blood poisoning)(For Davis, he was not sick at all the entire time he was breastfeeding. I put him on formula and he gets bronchitis! Go figure!)
-Children receive the most complete and optimal mix of nutrients & antibodies
-Protection against allergies, asthma, eczema, and severity of allergic disease
-Reduced risk of SIDS (sudden infant death syndrome) Statistics reveal that for every 87 deaths from SIDS, only 3 are breastfed.
-Protection against meningitis, botulism, childhood lymphoma, crohn's disease and ulcerative entercolits
-Decreased risk againgst cavities (hmmm...maybe that's why I always had them.)
-Breastfeeding plays an important role in the emotional and spiritual development of babies
-The colostrum (first milk) coats the GI tract, preventing harmful bacteria and allergy -triggering protein molecules from crossing into baby's blood
(I could keep going, these are just a few good ones)
There are also so many wonderful benefits for MOMS!
-Reduced risk of breast, ovarian, cervical, and endometrial cancers
-Protection against osteoporosis and hip fracture later in life
-Helps the mother's body return to its pre-pregnancy state faster - promotes weight loss...1/2 of calories needed to manufacture milk is pulled from fat stores... can burn from 500 - 1,500 calories per day (I can almost promise, along with me working my butt off in the gym, this was a HUGE factor in how I lost weight so quickly!)
With that being said, we are not breastfeeding anymore. Davis reached six months, and I reached my six month goal. His dirty diapers now smell like dirty diapers (another perk of breastfeeding). When he burps, which they will burp in your face, oh my does it stink!! Whew, kid! What is yo mama feeding you? While I am loving the new freedom of not having to rush home when I am out and feed Davis, I actually do miss it. Isn't that weird? If you had nonexsistent boobs like me beforehand, they will probably shrink even more after you are done. I can't seem to find mine anymore. Where did you go? When I was breastfeeding, I had wonderful Mount St. Everest! Now I have little Beverly Hills. Oddly enough, I do not miss having those huge things! Don't ask, who knows!
(I hope any of this information helps you. I am NOT trying to persuade one or the other. Me or my sisters were not breastfeed and I do not look down or think bad of people that do not do it. Trust me, I understand. I wrote this for people that are on the fence and not exactly sure of all of the benefits of doing so.)
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8 comments:
I am still breastfeeding my son (he's 8 months), an I am terrified to stop because of shrinking boobs. Haha!
I am like you and think it is up to every woman to do what is best for them.
I however breastfed both of my children, my first though I only lasted a few months because it turned out she had an allergy to milk...she was my soy baby, oh the stink of that!
With my last baby I nursed and pumped for a year and a half...I am so glad that I did! My boobs didn't shrink that much but they are definitely not in the place they used to be! ~Jen
I made it about 6 months too. I would do it all over again...but it was nice to finally, really get my body back. No more pumping and worrying about leaks!
Very good! I love reading all the benefits. :)
Aeson hasn't gotten any teeth yet either!
I loved breastfeeding mine. Like you, I think each woman has to make that decision for herself. However, it is nice to support each other!
I'm not even really thinking about babies yet, but this was still really fascinating. I never even thought of the cost aspect of it! Not entirely excited about having my already sizable boobs swell up, either, though- MORE back pain on top of everything else? No thanks! Good to know for when I'm ready!
Stopping by from SITS!
You are sooo right!
I was wholeheartedly set on breastfeeding, like you, until 6 months. Unfortunately, I have worthless crappy nipples, didn't get enough milk and had to supplement with formula, I didn't get milk until the 6th day and by then, Emma was wanting to eat more, so I had to supplement. I pumped for about a month and half, and them my boobs dried out.
I did everything. I bought the expensive breast pump and all the things that are needed. I had a lactating consultant come home for the first week to help me. I went to lactating classes the second week. I tried. I really did.
I'm still grateful she's healthy and still growing the way she should.
I haven't had children, but I wasn't breastfed either. And I've been told because of surgeries and stuff, that I won't physically be able to do it. I guess we'll see, right?
Stopping by from SITS!
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