Breastfeeding
Breastfeeding today has taken on a controversial nature and a lot of misinformation gets passed on to pregnant women and new mothers. Because I am a breastfeeding advocate I wanted to include some good breastfeeding information on my website.
- If you need some encouragement that breastfeeding is best check out ProMoms 101 Reasons to Breastfeed Your Child
- If you are still not convinced WomensHealth.gov says "There are many benefits to breastfeeding. Even if you are able to do it for only a short time, your baby's immune system can benefit from breast milk. Here are many other benefits of breast milk for a mother, her baby, and others..."
- A great online resource if you are having troubles is KellyMom.com If it is happening to you it has probably happened to others and it is probably on this site.
- Dr. Jack Newman offers a lengthy list of breastfeeding handouts as well as a number of helpful video clips.
- When I faced breastfeeding challenges I typically turned to La Leche League first. Though some LLL Leaders may have developed a negative image in the media all of the LLL members I have met are very supportive and even more educated. *see local resources for local LLL information.
My 2 cents....
I have to admit that when I was pregnant with my first child I was really lukewarm on the idea of breastfeeding. I read about all of the great benefits and had a good grasp on the fact that it was best for the baby but I just couldn't wrap my head around the idea that I would be all that comfortable doing it. I even went to a breastfeeding class taught by a wonderful teacher that left me feeling like I knew how to make breastfeeding work even though I still wasn't sure I would get past the first day or even the first feeding for that matter. I basically went into it with the feeling that I'd give it a try but I wasn't apposed to quitting if it just didn't feel right.
I can only hope that every woman that feels this way while pregnant will be rewarded with an amazing breastfeeding relationship like I was able to enjoy with both of my children. In addition to being the best nutrition for baby and being beneficial to the mothers health it is also a relationship with your baby that no one can quite put into words. For me, it was like extending the joys of pregnancy without all of the discomfort. I was still sustaining a life with my own...something that no one else could do for the baby.
This is basically just a really wordy way to say I hope that every pregnant woman will give breastfeeding a try even if she thinks she isn't going to stick with it. You never know what will happen.
If you are breastfeeding and having troubles please do not give up until you have exhausted all of the resources available to help you. Many women give up on breastfeeding because they have gotten bad information or not enough information to really help them succeed. Well-meaning friends and family often make suggestions that worked for them or others they know but they just don't have the experience and information that a professional can provide you. Pediatricians aren't always breastfeeding advocates and please do not trust the formula companies to "help" you with breastfeeding. There are many professionals that can help: doulas, childbirth educators, La Leche League leaders, Lactation Counserlors and most importantly IBCLC's (International Board Certified Lactation Consultants).
*Please see my local resources page for local breastfeeding professionals.