This post was written as part of The Breastfeeding Cafe's Carnival. For more info on the Breastfeeding Cafe, go to www.breastfeedingcafe.wordpress.com. For more info on The Carnival or if you want to participate, contact Claire at clindstrom2 {at} gmail {dot} com. Today's post is about Importance of Breastfeeding. Please read the other blogs in today's carnival listed below and check back for more posts July 18th through the 31st!
When I was pregnant, I knew I would nurse. Sure I could formula feed if I felt like it, but that wasn't the "norm" for me. I grew up with my mom's family, who were both Hispanic and always had babies. Everyone nursed, it just made sense. Why waste the time filling a bottle with warm water, measuring the formula, and shaking it up? It takes 2 seconds to plop out a boob.
As a pregnant mom, I did a lot of reading. Of course I knew that "breast was best." Sure, formulas could put all kinds of things in their cans, but they would never reach the awesomeness of mommy milk. I collected the free sample cans for two reasons, one the cheap in me wouldn't let me throw them out, and two just in case.
After our pain in the butt introduction to nursing, it was easy for us. It was better than easy, it was wonderful. There was a special something there, that only her and I would share. We had time to just connect.
She ate like a piranha most of the time, but bed/nap time nursing was my favorite. There was no rush, and no one to bother us. We would snuggle together, she'd play with my fingers, my hair, my face, whatever was in reach. Eventually the "milk drunk" effect would take over, and her mouth would pop off leaving that little O.
We nursed for 18 months, and that 18 months was delightful. I "tried" to wean once at 6 months, then at a year, but it was mostly from pressure. Pressure of what the world wanted, once I finally decided "screw the world," I pretty much let her wean on her own.
18 months was good for us, and it was important to me that I not take it from her too early. She was always a mommy's girl, and she needed that special bond. That time where I was hers and hers alone. Even at the very end, when we only nursed once a night to put her to bed - it was still our time. I miss that. :(
I plan to nurse just as long as the 2nd baby needs as well. Not only does it help out financially, but have you tasted that formula stuff? I did just out of curiosity, because I'm weird like that, and BOY is that stuff nasty. We did try a few bottles at the beginning of her life, with both formula and pumped milk (she quickly found out that boob was better and refused the bottles), and it just wasn't the same. There wasn't that special click. Anyone could feed her a bottle, it wasn't something special that only I could do for her.
Sure it can be harder for some women, but I believe in will power. If you want to do something, really WANT to, you will be able to. I wanted to nurse my baby, and we did it. I wanted to rise above stereotypes and be a good "teen mom", and I did it. My husband and I want to give our daughter the world, and even though we aren't blessed in the money department, we find a way to give her everything she needs and more.
That bond is important, even if it only lasts 3 months or so. Props to women who actually give it an honest try. I wouldn't give up those special moments for anything. Breastfeeding was one of the best decisions I ever made.
As a pregnant mom, I did a lot of reading. Of course I knew that "breast was best." Sure, formulas could put all kinds of things in their cans, but they would never reach the awesomeness of mommy milk. I collected the free sample cans for two reasons, one the cheap in me wouldn't let me throw them out, and two just in case.
After our pain in the butt introduction to nursing, it was easy for us. It was better than easy, it was wonderful. There was a special something there, that only her and I would share. We had time to just connect.
She ate like a piranha most of the time, but bed/nap time nursing was my favorite. There was no rush, and no one to bother us. We would snuggle together, she'd play with my fingers, my hair, my face, whatever was in reach. Eventually the "milk drunk" effect would take over, and her mouth would pop off leaving that little O.
We nursed for 18 months, and that 18 months was delightful. I "tried" to wean once at 6 months, then at a year, but it was mostly from pressure. Pressure of what the world wanted, once I finally decided "screw the world," I pretty much let her wean on her own.
18 months was good for us, and it was important to me that I not take it from her too early. She was always a mommy's girl, and she needed that special bond. That time where I was hers and hers alone. Even at the very end, when we only nursed once a night to put her to bed - it was still our time. I miss that. :(
I plan to nurse just as long as the 2nd baby needs as well. Not only does it help out financially, but have you tasted that formula stuff? I did just out of curiosity, because I'm weird like that, and BOY is that stuff nasty. We did try a few bottles at the beginning of her life, with both formula and pumped milk (she quickly found out that boob was better and refused the bottles), and it just wasn't the same. There wasn't that special click. Anyone could feed her a bottle, it wasn't something special that only I could do for her.
Sure it can be harder for some women, but I believe in will power. If you want to do something, really WANT to, you will be able to. I wanted to nurse my baby, and we did it. I wanted to rise above stereotypes and be a good "teen mom", and I did it. My husband and I want to give our daughter the world, and even though we aren't blessed in the money department, we find a way to give her everything she needs and more.
That bond is important, even if it only lasts 3 months or so. Props to women who actually give it an honest try. I wouldn't give up those special moments for anything. Breastfeeding was one of the best decisions I ever made.
Here are more posts by the Breastfeeding Cafe Carnival participants! Check back because more will be added throughout the day.
- Sylko @ Chaotic Mama—Breastfeeding Carnival: Importance of Breastfeeding
- Sara @ The Covered Wagon—Nursing a Food Allergic Child
- Shelly @ Lousy Mom—Importance of breastfeeding
- Timbra @ Bosoms & Babes—The best non-decision I ever made
- Shary @ Mama Fish—Why Breast Milk is Best
- Claire @ The Adventures of Lactating Girl—I Breastfeed For Me
- Lauren @ Hobo Mama—Why breastfeeding is important
- Kate @ KateIsFun—The Importance of Breastfeeding
- Kaitlin Rose @ Bring Birth Home—Breastfeeding Came Naturally
- Brooke @ Milk Maid Mamma—Why I Chose to Breastfeed
- Lexi @ Life as a Mommy—Special Bonds
- Whitney @ According to Waddlebug:The (Un)Balancing act of Motherhood—Importance of Breastfeeding
- Natasha @ naturalurbanmama—Importance of Breastfeeding:X-men and Faberge Shampoo
- Shelly @ Lousy Mom—Wheat allergies and working
- And of course the guest poster on the Breastfeeding Cafe’s Blog today is Jen Karsbaek—Breastfeeding Helps Me Love My Son
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