We CAN Survive

This is a funny and sarcastic article written on Squitmom.com about research that was performed to prove that babies could survive on the 1st 6 months of exclusive breastfeeding.

My favorite part:
"If MOST women weren’t capable of supporting infants with breast milk, humans as a species wouldn’t have thrived. But we did. And substitute or supplement infant food is very, very new in the grand scheme of human evolution."

Article - Shocking New Research Shows Women Can Breastfeed Successfully!!

Breastfeeding Experience

While I was pregnant with my daughter I was so excited and looking forward to the day when I would be a nursing mom. I thought it was going to be all lollipops and roses. Boy was I wrong. Breastfeeding is hard. Lets just admit it. The first couple of weeks can be painful and tiresome. I remember being in the hospital and so excited for that first time - and then by the time I was leaving I was wincing in pain with each latch as I blistered and bled. The lactation consultant that met with me while I was in the recovery room was so helpful. She helped with a proper latch and hold and gave me the best advice ever. The phrase I say to myself to this day from her is, "You're her whole world".

When I got home I still hurt and it was not getting any better. I kept telling myself if I could just get past the first two weeks then it would be fine. I would wince with each latch and tug thinking very threatening thoughts in my mind. I knew that I could give up, but I knew that as a mother I needed to do the very best I could do for my child. I would sing the ABCs to myself or count to 10 as my daughter latched on my poor tired self.

The two weeks passed and it was better. I actually really and truly began to enjoy nursing. My child and I got into our routine and she would lay so content in my arms with a full belly and that's when I would just sit and stare at this little wonder of life.

I think we have all experienced "pregnancy brain" and it never seems to go away. Even 16 months later (and nursing strong) I still am so forgetful. One great thing about breastfeeding is you never have to remember a bottle/cup, formula, measuring cups, clean water - nothing. All you need is right there with you! The less I needed to remember to bring the better.

If you are thinking about breastfeeding, or just starting out, just know that it can be hard at first. But, you are doing great! If you need help or encouragement seek out a friend or family member that you know has breastfeeding experience. Contact your local hospital or Le Leche League. There are tons of chat rooms where nursing moms are up at wee hours of the night. I know that a few of my friends and I would chat on facebook. So give it a try - you might just like it :)

Breastfeeding Promotion

Being a working mom alone is hard. You miss your child and you want nothing more than to be with them, rather than with your fellow co-workers. At least that has been my experience. Add trying to be a breastfeeding mom to the mix and you have double the issues. Not only are you working, but you are having to find the time to pump - maybe even a place that is not a public restroom. Lucky for me I work for family and found a little break room area that I could pump freely in. There were a few close calls where the male employees forgot I was back there, but they grew accustomed to hearing the noise of the pump and knew I was back there doing my business. We even had a code - "going to the dairy farm" when I was busy. Maybe a little tactless, but it was funny and it worked.

Most women do not have a place to pump when they return to work and therefore they quit. Before you quit check out the laws or ask your employers for other options.

Check out this link as well - Breastfeeding Promotion Act of 2011

Breast is Best

I found this article a few weeks ago from KellyMom.com. It is such a wonderful perspective about how the campaign "Breast is Best" might not be enough to spread the benefits for breastfeeding. I love this quote from the article:

"I'm questioning why our natural instincts to nurse have gone askew and why our views about feeding our young are less instinctive and more socially and culturally constructed.

I'm questioning why what should be one of the most natural experiences of motherhood is under cultural fire and even being used as fodder for political grandstanding."

Take a look for yourself - what do you think is hindering our natural instinct to care for our young by breastfeeding - knowing that "Breast is Best"?

*Click here to read the full article - Womensenews.org

Nursing for Others

This is old news, it happened in 2009 but here is a photo of Salma Hayek b/f an African baby who was literally starving to death.  I just read about this on another b/f blog and immediately had to find the story.  I'm not a big fan of hers but this was an incredible gesture.  To offer yourself to nurture another woman's baby because she had no milk to give him.  This is what the cliche means "it takes a village to raise a child."  It gave me some questions...

would I donate to a human milk bank?
would I purchase from a human milk bank?
would I step in to nurse a friend or family members baby if they needed help?
what would our society say about this? 

We seem to just barely accept the sight of a mother nursing her own child.  Even with all of the education out there telling us it's best.  We are still squimish and prudish about it.  Unless the breast is there on show we don't want to see it.  Women's breasts are there for the pleasure of men right?  How would someone react if I were in public clearly b/f a child that wasn't mine?