Today ends World Breast Feeding Week and I just felt I needed to write. The whole point of this past week was to help educate, inform and encourage breast feeding. I'm so thankful that there is a week devoted to this. So often, doctors and hospitals push new mothers to formula feed their baby because they don't nurse within the first 12 hours. I know I was one of those women. Noah and I struggled so much in the beginning with breast feeding. It took ten days for my milk to come in. So stressful!!! They told me that I had to give him formula, something I didn't want to do but I felt like I had no choice. It sucks wanting so something so bad and not getting the support that you need from doctors and nurses. Once I got home from the hospital, I was pumping every 2 hours or less to get my milk in and taking daily supplements because I was determined to breast feed and not pay for all those cans of formula. Then finally on the 10th day, it happened and Noah latched on! Yippee!! More importantly, no more bottles of yucky formula! Thank God.
I'm not against formula entirely but I do think that the only reason you should use formula is when you physically can't produce milk. I think every woman should try breast feeding. It is the most rewarding thing you could ever do! I feel like in this day and age, mothers give up after a day or two because their milk hasn't come in yet and its tiring. Sorry to say but it usually doesn't happen that fast and being a mother is tiring! Breast feeding is something that you have to work hard for and it is worth every last night feeding, every pumping session, every clogged duct because it's the best "formula" for your baby. Never again will I buy or give my babies commercial formula. God created most of us with the gift of breast feeding our children. Are the first couple months hard, yes they are but it's gets easier and easier as each day passes. I know someone who pumped for her baby girl for 14 months while she worked a full time job because breast feeding was that important to her. Now that is dedication! Noah is hilarious nursing now and I wouldn't change it for anything. Sometimes I can't get my shirt opened fast enough for him and he starts fussing but as soon as he sees my breast, he gets a big smile on his face and practically attacks my boob. Then usually his eyes roll to the back of his head as if he is saying, "oh yea, this is the life." How could every deny my baby that joy or that comfort from feeding.
I'm sure some of you are reading this and thinking she is a breast feeding crazy person and maybe you're right but it is just something that I feel so passionate about. I've actually considered becoming a lactation consultant in the years to come because I love it so much and I want every mother to get the opportunity to have the bond that I have with Noah and the gift that I can give him. So if you are pregnant and wondering whether you not to try it out, just do it! It will be hard, but I promise you that you will love it down the road. :)
I'm not against formula entirely but I do think that the only reason you should use formula is when you physically can't produce milk. I think every woman should try breast feeding. It is the most rewarding thing you could ever do! I feel like in this day and age, mothers give up after a day or two because their milk hasn't come in yet and its tiring. Sorry to say but it usually doesn't happen that fast and being a mother is tiring! Breast feeding is something that you have to work hard for and it is worth every last night feeding, every pumping session, every clogged duct because it's the best "formula" for your baby. Never again will I buy or give my babies commercial formula. God created most of us with the gift of breast feeding our children. Are the first couple months hard, yes they are but it's gets easier and easier as each day passes. I know someone who pumped for her baby girl for 14 months while she worked a full time job because breast feeding was that important to her. Now that is dedication! Noah is hilarious nursing now and I wouldn't change it for anything. Sometimes I can't get my shirt opened fast enough for him and he starts fussing but as soon as he sees my breast, he gets a big smile on his face and practically attacks my boob. Then usually his eyes roll to the back of his head as if he is saying, "oh yea, this is the life." How could every deny my baby that joy or that comfort from feeding.
I'm sure some of you are reading this and thinking she is a breast feeding crazy person and maybe you're right but it is just something that I feel so passionate about. I've actually considered becoming a lactation consultant in the years to come because I love it so much and I want every mother to get the opportunity to have the bond that I have with Noah and the gift that I can give him. So if you are pregnant and wondering whether you not to try it out, just do it! It will be hard, but I promise you that you will love it down the road. :)
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| Noah at 8 months |
