passionate about breastfeeding

callum and i had a very rough start with breastfeeding. being in the nicu, and born without a sucking reflex, he was whisked away from me minutes after he was born.

i pumped exclusively for 2.5 months before he learned to latch for good. i never knew something natural could be so difficult. i'd sometimes pump for an hour, take an hour off and pump again 10-12 times a day i was pumping in order to have enough breastmilk for my son. i often cried while pumping. the motor was loud enough to drown out the sounds of my despair. but i wanted him to have breastmilk, and only breastmilk. the fact that nothing about his coming into the world came close to what i would have hoped for, i would at least commit to this. so i did.


i was told i'd lose my supply if i didn't take drugs - WRONG

i was told i'd probably quit because you can't just pump - WRONG

i was told i would need a lactation consultant to get him to latch - WRONG

WRONG WRONG WRONG

no one told me breastfeeding could be so hard

this is just part of why i am so passionate about breastfeeding, and here are a few of the 101 Reasons To Breastfeed Your Baby (from promom.org)

1. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends it

5. Not breastfeeding increases mother's risk of breast cancer

10. Breast milk contains immunities to diseases and aids in the development of baby's immune system.

14. Nursing helps mom lose weight after baby is born

15. Pre-term milk is specially designed for premature infants

16. The World Health Organization and UNICEF recommend it

17. Breastfeeding protects against Crohn's disease

18. Formula feeding increases risk of baby developing type I (juvenile, insulin-dependent) diabetes.

21. Not breastfeeding increases mother's risk of developing ovarian cancer

22. Not breastfeeding increases mother's risk of developing endometrial cancer

23. Formula feeding increases chances of baby developing allergies

24. Breast milk lowers risk of baby developing asthma

27. Breastfeeding protects baby against diarrheal infections

28. Breastfeeding protects baby against bacterial meningitis

29. Breastfeeding protects baby against respiratory infections

30. Formula fed babies have a higher risk of developing certain childhood lymphomas

31. Breastfeeding decreases chances of juvenile rheumatoid arthritis

32. Breastfeeding decreases child's chances of contracting Hodgkins disease

33. Breastfeeding protects baby against vision defects

34. Breastfeeding decreases chances of maternal osteoporosis in later life

39. Breastfed babies have less chance of developing ulcerative colitis

40. Breast milk protects against hemophilus b. virus

44. Breastfed babies have less chance of developing necrotizing enterocolitis

52. Breast milk acts like a natural tranquilizer for baby

53. Breastfeeding acts like a natural tranquilizer for mom

59. Fewer waste packaging products

65. Natural pain relief for baby

77. Facilitates proper dental and jaw development

80. Better speech development

86. Contains no synthetic growth hormones

87. Lack of breastfeeding associated with multiple sclerosis

88. Less chance of inguinal hernia

93. Protects mothers against anemia (iron deficiency)

96. Breast milk is good for combatting eye infections

97. Breast milk is a good natural antibiotic for wounds

101. It's what breasts were designed for!

For the medical resources, and all of the 101 reasons to breastfeed your baby... http://www.promom.org/