Breastfeeding!

I was just reading Mrs. Anna T's (at Domestic Felicity - a delightful blog, please do check it out!) review of the book "Secrets of the Baby Whisperer" and the warning against the bad breastfeeding advice that is offered in the book. Checking out the reviews on Amazon.com shows me that she was not alone in her perceptions of the bias against breastfeeding the author seemed to have. I have not read the book myself, so I can't judge personally, but it did get me thinking about doing a little post about breastfeeding and what I've learned after 5 babies.

The number one piece of advice I'd give to help promote successful breastfeeding is very simple - nurse that baby! Nurse, nurse and nurse some more! Nurse when they're hungry, nurse when they're tired, nurse when they're fussy, nurse when they're hurting, nurse during a movie when they start making noise, nurse even if they've just nursed less than an hour ago but want some more! Don't restrict nursing! In fact, both Isaac and Judah were verrrry sleepy babies in the beginning, so I would actually wake them to nurse, to ensure my supply would be sufficient, and also to ensure they would gain weight and stay healthy.

I have come to learn that, especially during the newborn days, a large majority of my days (and nights) are taken up with sitting around nursing. Get some good books, a big glass of water and a comfy seat, and plan to spend alot of time in it, nourishing and bonding with your baby. Don't fret about what isn't getting done - think about what is getting done - you are providing your baby with God's perfect food, as well as the comforting, soothing presence of their mother!

Scheduling nursing can be very detrimental to milk supply and baby's health. A baby goes through many growth spurts during its first year, and if you attempt to restrict their feedings, it doesn't accommodate for when their growing bodies actually have a need for more! Too many times I've heard of mothers lamenting that their supply was inadequate, but when going a little deeper into the details, found that nursing had been restricted. Breastfeeding follows the law of supply and demand - the more milk a baby demands, the more milk a mother's body makes! So frequent nursings are the most important and effective way to boost supply. Of course, there are also dietary adjustments that can be made, as well as natural herbs that can be taken, if supply is truly an issue, even with frequent nursings. A great blog post for an analogy of supply and demand and the trouble with scheduling can be read at Pursuing Titus 2: Breastmilk, Ice Cream, and Infant Feeding Schedules... Be sure to check it out!

Besides that, God intended nursing for more than just a baby's physical health - He designed it for their comfort, as well. How can I know that? His Word tells us! Isaiah 66:10-13 describes the joy that nations will find in the restoration of Israel:

"Be joyful with Jerusalem and rejoice for her, all you who love her; Be exceedingly glad with her, all you who mourn over her, That you may nurse and be satisfied with her comforting breasts, That you may suck and be delighted with her bountiful bosom. For thus says the LORD, "Behold, I extend peace to her like a river, And the glory of the nations like an overflowing stream; And you will be nursed, you will be carried on the hip and fondled on the knees. As one whom his mother comforts, so I will comfort you; And you will be comforted in Jerusalem."

He's not talking about receiving nutrition, He's talking about finding comfort, joy and peace in her, and relating it to a nursing mother and her child. Also, in 1 Timothy 2:7 Paul says:

"But we proved to be gentle among you, as a nursing mother tenderly cares for her own children"

describing the tenderness that a nursing mother shows to her infant, not just nourishment!

I will say, breastfeeding certainly can have its challenges, outside of just supply issues. With Isaac, I found that I was very sore and tender for a few weeks, and it was discouraging! However, I was determined (that stubbornness I can display does occasionally have its benefits, too!) to continue nursing, so I pressed forward despite the discomfort, and he nursed for 13 months, weaning himself after I became pregnant with Ezra. I have also had periods of time where an elimination (restricted) diet was necessary on my part to help with a baby's colic or reflux. However, through many friends, both in real life and online, I have heard so many wonderful success stories of women overcoming much more difficult trials (even from women who have had to exclusively pump for many months!) that I would encourage those even experiencing difficulties to keep trying! Breastfeeding has so, so many benefits - both emotional and health-wise for both mom and baby!

On that note, I would also like to add that I have never kept a container of formula in the house. Oh! How those formula companies would like to hook you on their products! They are business, of course, looking for profit, and the best way to do that is to subtly encourage even breastfeeding moms to have some "free formula" on hand - "just in case". Do you see the doubt that automatically sets mothers up with? Every diaper bag I've gotten from the hospital has come with a large can of formula and numerous coupons, even the bags specifically for breastfeeding moms! I always leave the cans at the hospital, or donate them to the pediatrician's office or the local Crisis Pregnancy center. Not having them in the house limits the temptation to just fix a bottle when I'm feeling overwhelmed or overtired. Instead, I have to just keep on nursing... and have always been able to overcome the challenges that have arisen. Of course, when I consider the ease of breastfeeding compared to what must be entailed for bottle feeding (clean bottles, prepared formula, bringing enough in the diaper bag for outings, etc... I love that breastmilk is self contained and always available, with no prep time! lol!), not to mention the cost, even those benefits outweigh the challenges, for me.

I could go on and on about the benefits of breastfeeding! I haven't even touched on the accelerated weightloss, a delayed return of fertility (fewer cycles!), improved health for both baby and mother, plus others. But especially, I truly love the bond I get to share with my babies while they are still little. I am thankful that Michael is also a strong advocate for breastfeeding, and encourages me to nurse until each baby is 2 years old.. although so far, because of pregnancies, that hasn't been possible! The longest nurser so far has been Nathan, who made it 18 months before I become pregnant with Judah. There are plenty of mothers who actually nurse through pregnancy, as well, however, for me, with each child, once I become pregnant, the nursling decides to wean, perhaps because supply decreases or taste changes somehow.

I love that God's design is for my body to not only grow and care for a baby in my womb, but also at my breast after birth. I have precious memories of the closeness and bonding I've shared with each boy before they've gotten big enough to always want Daddy instead! The time that they are small is so short, and I treasure it.

Here are a few helpful breastfeeding links, there are tons more out there, as well!

• KellyMom
• La Leche League
• Ask Dr. Sears
• Breastfeeding.com
  

Also, uddercovers.com is offering a FREE nursing cover! Shipping is $7.95, but that is a great price! I've never used a nursing cover because they're a bit pricey when a blanket does the same job, but for $7.95 I figured, why not? Go to uddercovers.com, click on their "Essence" covers and enter in the promo code "onefree". You can choose from either blue or pink! Enjoy!