Ok, ladies....I'm not going to pretend to be a lactation consultant or a nurse, doctor or any medical professional, but I am a very experienced breastfeeding mom. I nursed my first baby, a boy, for 18 months. If you told me that when I was first pregnant, I wouldn't have believed you! He latched on like a little baby bird - opening his mouth and finding the right place to go. I'm not going to lie and say it's not painful in the beginning as it is - sometimes it really hurts just until your body gets used to it. For those who are "too sensitive" or those who think it's "too sexual" you're wrong. Try it. Everybody's tolerance to pain is different but at least give it a chance. First of all, the nipples are a very sensitive area but there are all sorts of remedies to make you feel better. I know that we live in a world of choices but why use artificial means to feed our babies when nature makes our bodies capable of this task. For first time moms or 5th time moms, breastfeeding is one of the easiest things you can do for your baby. Think of it....no bottles to prepare.....no puke-smelling clothes.....baby's poop isn't even as strong as their formula-fed counterparts. You can sit in a chair, put your feet up and hold your baby and nurse, nurse, nurse. There's no looking at the bottle and fretting over whether or not baby got enough to eat. You have to continue to eat right, drink lots of water and keep your body drug and alcohol-free. A little mug of beer won't hurt but don't make it a habit. It is said that a glass of beer will stimulate your milk to come in at a faster rate.....but we don't want baby depending on that alcohol to go to sleep at night. Your warm, perfect temperature milk is the easiest, most simple way to care for your baby. Think of the funds you will save, too, girls! For those of you returning to work, you can pump your milk and store it! Baby's sitter can feed your milk from a bottle or if you choose to use formula for while you're away from baby, do so, but you can nurse in the morning and/or at bedtime! The more milk they receive from mamma, the healthier they will be as they will take in all your immunities and not be sick as often. I am a stay-at-home mom of three and I nursed all three of them. The second baby, a girl, only nursed for 6 1/2 months as I (sadly) supplemented formula because she always seemed hungry and her older brother was just 2 years old when she was born so it was a challenge to nurse baby and chase the toddler at the same time.....however, it can be done. Now, with the development of the slings and various wraps that have you actually wearing your baby, you can nurse and walk at the same time with your hands free! My third baby, I nursed for 4 1/2 years! YES! 4 1/2 years! I still can't believe it and only thought that Native Americans did that back in the early days but as it turns out, there are much more people who choose this wonderful source of nature's comfort for babies and toddlers to continue to nurse them beyond the first 12 months. My third baby was always comforted by me this way when she was upset by her siblings or wanted to go down for an afternoon nap, this would soothe her to sleep. What's easier.....fighting them to lay down in their crib or toddler bed and relying on a pacifier that you usually can't find?....or nursing them to sleep as you watch your favorite TV show? It's a win-win situation! There's so much more I can say on this subject....I'll think of it so check back!
