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 :)
Showing posts with label myths. Show all posts
Showing posts with label myths. Show all posts
Wednesday, October 19, 2011
Tuesday, September 13, 2011
Shattering Myths
There are so so many myths out there surrounding breastfeeding. Some are reasons that mothers find NOT to breastfeed or that scare them off. Some extremely silly and some almost dangerous. Here are the top seven that I could personally think of, that I have actually heard women say or write about. I've tried to link to actual medical sources when possible, otherwise it's just my opinion.
1. If I don't b/f then my boobs will stay big.
Yes, I actually heard someone say this. Luckily I don't know them personally it was a woman on the subway talking to a friend about why she is not going to b/f. I don't know if this is true or not but if your boobs are your number one priority then consider the fact that women who b/f are less likely to get breast cancer. If you are worried about b/f causing your boobs to shrink then consider how you would feel if you had to lose them altogether.
"If all women who do not breastfeed or who breastfeed for less than 3 months were to do so for 4 to 12 months, breast cancer among parous premenopausal women could be reduced by 11 percent, judging from current rates. If all women with children lactated for 24 months or longer, however, then the incidence might be reduced by nearly 25 percent. This reduction would be even greater among women who first lactate at an early age."
Newcomb PA, Storer BE, Longnecker MP, et al. Lactation and a reduced risk of premenopausal breast cancer.
N Engl J Med. 1994;330:81-87
2. Babies will sleep better with formula.
This may be true, although not scientifically proven, but consider WHY they sleep more. Formula is harder for the baby to digest. They are sleeping because their stomach is working overtime trying to digest the cow's milk. They aren't sleeping because they're more full or satisfied. They are just too tired to wake up. Also, babies who sleep for longer periods of time are more likely to die from SIDS.
3. B/F is not convienient in public.
In Ontario and in most states of the U.S. you have a legal right to b/f your child wherever, whenever. We all know we live in a lawsuit friendly society so think of it this way, if someone approaches you and tells you to stop b/f sue them and send your kids to college! B/F is super convienient and much easier than having to carry around a cooler, find a place to warm up formula, or mix formula and have to carry around bottles of distilled water. Personally I am just too lazy for all of that work!
4. If I b/f then Dad won't be able to help.
If Dad is desperate to get up at 2am and feed the baby then you can consider pumping. Or, Dad can do everything else while you nurse. Dad can change the diaper, get you a snack or drink, adjust pillows, massage you while you nurse and rock baby back to sleep when nursing is over. There is lots of work to go around! Otherwise, Dad needs only to wait 6 months and then he can do all of the cereal and veggie feedings while Momma watches the game.
5. I don't know if I can work out and b/f.
I have an incredibly grueling workout. I still do it. I nurse my son before I workout and then again after. It hasn't had any impact at all.
6. I only have a short mat leave from work.
This is not a huge issue in CDA as we have one year of mat leave. But I have heard some U.S. bloggers and writers comment on this issue. It will be tough but if you are dedicated it is more than plausable. While I don't know what the law says to me it makes sense for employers to accomodate b/f moms since it's proven that b/f babies are sick less often and that means mom doesn't need to take time off work to care for sick kids. It's a win/win.
http://www.breastfeedingbasics.com/html/returning_to_work.shtml
http://www.cdc.gov/breastfeeding/pdf/bf_guide_2.pdf
7. If I nurse at night baby can get cavities from the milk.
Bottle-fed babies
"are at increased risk for baby bottle caries, a destructive dental condition which occurs when a baby is put to bed with a bottle containing formula, milk, juice or other fluids high in carbohydrates. Extensive dental repair may be required at a cost of thousands of dollars."
Loesche WJ/ "Nutrition and dental decay in infants." Am J Clin Nutr 41; 423-435, 1985
What sort of old wives tales or myths have you been told or overheard?
Some sources I read while writing this post:
http://www.livestrong.com/article/528749-what-are-the-benefits-of-breastfeeding-past-one-year/
http://www.kellymom.com/nutrition/solids/solids-sleep.html
http://www.notmilk.com/101.html
1. If I don't b/f then my boobs will stay big.
Yes, I actually heard someone say this. Luckily I don't know them personally it was a woman on the subway talking to a friend about why she is not going to b/f. I don't know if this is true or not but if your boobs are your number one priority then consider the fact that women who b/f are less likely to get breast cancer. If you are worried about b/f causing your boobs to shrink then consider how you would feel if you had to lose them altogether.
"If all women who do not breastfeed or who breastfeed for less than 3 months were to do so for 4 to 12 months, breast cancer among parous premenopausal women could be reduced by 11 percent, judging from current rates. If all women with children lactated for 24 months or longer, however, then the incidence might be reduced by nearly 25 percent. This reduction would be even greater among women who first lactate at an early age."
Newcomb PA, Storer BE, Longnecker MP, et al. Lactation and a reduced risk of premenopausal breast cancer.
N Engl J Med. 1994;330:81-87
2. Babies will sleep better with formula.
This may be true, although not scientifically proven, but consider WHY they sleep more. Formula is harder for the baby to digest. They are sleeping because their stomach is working overtime trying to digest the cow's milk. They aren't sleeping because they're more full or satisfied. They are just too tired to wake up. Also, babies who sleep for longer periods of time are more likely to die from SIDS.
3. B/F is not convienient in public.
In Ontario and in most states of the U.S. you have a legal right to b/f your child wherever, whenever. We all know we live in a lawsuit friendly society so think of it this way, if someone approaches you and tells you to stop b/f sue them and send your kids to college! B/F is super convienient and much easier than having to carry around a cooler, find a place to warm up formula, or mix formula and have to carry around bottles of distilled water. Personally I am just too lazy for all of that work!
4. If I b/f then Dad won't be able to help.
If Dad is desperate to get up at 2am and feed the baby then you can consider pumping. Or, Dad can do everything else while you nurse. Dad can change the diaper, get you a snack or drink, adjust pillows, massage you while you nurse and rock baby back to sleep when nursing is over. There is lots of work to go around! Otherwise, Dad needs only to wait 6 months and then he can do all of the cereal and veggie feedings while Momma watches the game.
5. I don't know if I can work out and b/f.
I have an incredibly grueling workout. I still do it. I nurse my son before I workout and then again after. It hasn't had any impact at all.
6. I only have a short mat leave from work.
This is not a huge issue in CDA as we have one year of mat leave. But I have heard some U.S. bloggers and writers comment on this issue. It will be tough but if you are dedicated it is more than plausable. While I don't know what the law says to me it makes sense for employers to accomodate b/f moms since it's proven that b/f babies are sick less often and that means mom doesn't need to take time off work to care for sick kids. It's a win/win.
http://www.breastfeedingbasics.com/html/returning_to_work.shtml
http://www.cdc.gov/breastfeeding/pdf/bf_guide_2.pdf
7. If I nurse at night baby can get cavities from the milk.
Bottle-fed babies
"are at increased risk for baby bottle caries, a destructive dental condition which occurs when a baby is put to bed with a bottle containing formula, milk, juice or other fluids high in carbohydrates. Extensive dental repair may be required at a cost of thousands of dollars."
Loesche WJ/ "Nutrition and dental decay in infants." Am J Clin Nutr 41; 423-435, 1985
What sort of old wives tales or myths have you been told or overheard?
Some sources I read while writing this post:
http://www.livestrong.com/article/528749-what-are-the-benefits-of-breastfeeding-past-one-year/
http://www.kellymom.com/nutrition/solids/solids-sleep.html
http://www.notmilk.com/101.html
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