Published Aug 2, 2005
wannabemw
284 Posts
happy world breastfeeding week!
:balloons: :balloons:
for those who don't know it this week is the week that the world celebrates breastfeeding. what can you do to be an advocate for breastfeeding? i would love it if everyone could give one suggestion. posts about the benefits & advantages to bf'ing are welcome to!
to be an advocate for breastfeeding during wbw i will:
-tell any mom that i happen to see nursing that what i think she is doing is wonderful & a beautiful gift that she is giving herself & her child!
benefits &/or advantages:
-better immune systems
-being able to cuddle & reconnect the minute you walk in the door from a long day at work (& missed baby terribly!)
mommy2BCD
100 Posts
I have been breastfeeding my son for almost 8 months now. It is no piece of cake that is for sure-pumping and waking up in the middle of the night (still) alone. However, i wouldn't have it any other way because we have a unique bond that he can't share with a bottle. I also have had one of the healthiest babies ever! my #1 benefit/advantage has been that most of my post-pregnancy belly melted off...after all u do burn 500 calories a day by breastfeeding. you would have to walk for 6 hours to burn that off...
RosesrReder, BSN, MSN, RN
8,498 Posts
i have been breastfeeding my son for almost 8 months now. it is no piece of cake that is for sure-pumping and waking up in the middle of the night (still) alone. however, i wouldn't have it any other way because we have a unique bond that he can't share with a bottle. i also have had one of the healthiest babies ever! my #1 benefit/advantage has been that most of my post-pregnancy belly melted off...after all u do burn 500 calories a day by breastfeeding. you would have to walk for 6 hours to burn that off...
i was unaware of the burning calories, will keep that in mind for when i have little ones of my own.
and, yes happy breastfeeding week. :)
jkaee
423 Posts
For me, one of the many joys of breastfeeding is looking at my pleasingly plump little 7 month old girl and thinking, "I did that!" I just love all the fat rolls on her legs and arms. And nothing beats when your nursing your little one and they stroke your cheek and look up at you and give you a "milk drunk" smile. And, of course, knowing that you are undoubtably the most important person to your baby....that is a precious feeling that, unfortunately, won't last forever......
Spidey's mom, ADN, BSN, RN
11,305 Posts
Yesterday I worked and a 44 year old woman delivered her 8th child - I really related to the age factor since I had my last at 44 and he is growing too too fast. As I watched the baby latch on right after delivery, I got a bit misty . . . . . I realized that for sure this time my last child would be my last experience of breastfeeding and I told myself to savor it the whole time I was nursing him. But still, time flew, and here I am the mother of a 4 year old and not breastfeeding anymore. Even though I nursed him until he was 3 1/2 . .. most likely because I knew I would never get to experience it again. (although I did nurse my daughter until she was 3, my son before that until he was 18 months, etc.).
So yes, Happy Breastfeeding Week. It is a great thing . . .. . . something I will always miss.
Especially that drunk with love milk smile . .. . :)
steph
Lal
1 Post
I breastfed both my children, youngest now almost 11!! Despite the dreaded PND and almost losing my little boy to meningitis at 3 weeks of age I fed him until he was 3 years old, it was a struggle at times with people saying I would get more sleep if he was bottlefed etc. He was fed N/G when he was ill and the effort to keep my milk going was really hard but worth it in the end. At the age of 10 he still loves to 'cuddle in' close to my boobs!! I wouldn't condemn any mum for bottlefeeding but for me 'breast was definitely best'. Incidentally my sickly bably is now at almost 11 and measuring 5'5". I wouldn't have missed the closeness with both my babies for anything.
Yesterday I worked and a 44 year old woman delivered her 8th child - I really related to the age factor since I had my last at 44 and he is growing too too fast. As I watched the baby latch on right after delivery, I got a bit misty . . . . . I realized that for sure this time my last child would be my last experience of breastfeeding and I told myself to savor it the whole time I was nursing him. But still, time flew, and here I am the mother of a 4 year old and not breastfeeding anymore. Even though I nursed him until he was 3 1/2 . .. most likely because I knew I would never get to experience it again. (although I did nurse my daughter until she was 3, my son before that until he was 18 months, etc.).So yes, Happy Breastfeeding Week. It is a great thing . . .. . . something I will always miss.Especially that drunk with love milk smile . .. . :) steph
i was unaware of the burning calories, will keep that in mind for when i have little ones of my own. and, yes happy breastfeeding week. :)
oddly enough jessica, this was one of the main reasons i choose breastfeeding!
:chuckle (okay, so i was a young 19yr mom, but whatever it takes!) it actually took me until he was 5m before i began to see the extra lbs come off. but my uterus went down quickly!
~mj
I breastfed both my children, youngest now almost 11!! I wouldn't have missed the closeness with both my babies for anything.
Great story to share! Thanks! I nursed my last 11yrs ago, so I understand. She is now 14yrs old . Like you, I nursed my 1st: 15m, # 2: 3y5m and #3: 3y6m. Some ask why I nursed so long. Why? Because I knew it was best for them & I loved nursing my healthy, busy toddlers who no longer had anytime for mommy. Also #2 had some IBS issues to work through (no problems now!). It was a good thing I nursed as long as I did. 2 of them ended up w/asthma and 1 of them w/ear infections. My dr. said had we not BF she would have ended up w/tubes & double the amount of infections. So bf doesn't stop everything, but it certainly did help improve the health of mine.
~MJ
Love that milk smile! Great memory for me too! Thanks! I too savored every minute of my nursing her (my last) -despite any problems we had w/nursing. Luckily I was an experienced nurser by this time & knew we could work through most anything. That and my "Breastfeeding Answer Book" & the support of my LLL friends.
Just your mentioning your experience w/a mom gives me a great feeling that moms have someone experienced to rely on for help! Way to be an advocate!
psalm, RN
1,263 Posts
...when my little still-nursing 20 month old son and his dad were getting breakfast while I rested in bed, I heard my husband say they couldn't have cereal because we were out of milk, I heard Paul running down the hallway to the bedroom. He walked up to me and gently patted my breast and said, "Mama, we need milk for the cereal". He is almost 28 now and turned red when I told his new wife :)
...should we breastfeeding vets expect roses this week? :)
...when my little still-nursing 20 month old son and his dad were getting breakfast while I rested in bed, I heard my husband say they couldn't have cereal because we were out of milk, I heard Paul running down the hallway to the bedroom. He walked up to me and gently patted my breast and said, "Mama, we need milk for the cereal". He is almost 28 now and turned red when I told his new wife :)...should we breastfeeding vets expect roses this week? :)
(f)(f)(f)(f)(f)(f)(f)(f)(f)(f)(f)(f) (Dozen roses)
Here's what I can afford, but I like your suggestion! I hope you like them!
I personally am joining the local LLL for a celebratory picnic!
Thanks for sharing! :chuckle Funny story! (Keep on embarrassing him too,way to go mom!)
FrumDoula
149 Posts
In honor of this momentous week, my little Miriam and I cuddled up and had lots of nursies.
She seems happy to celebrate! :balloons:
Alison