A Lungful

Always seem to find yet another article supporting extended breastfeeding. Chase is now over 2 years old, and I'm still breastfeeding him. Now it's down to only 2-4 times per day, usually just before nap/bedtime, and maybe a snack. Some nights he might go to bed without it, but others, he wakes up in the middle of the night to feed. But his general appetite fluctuates a lot too. Some days, he'll eat like a bird, others he'll eat heartily.

Well, here's the latest article on the benefits of breastfeeding on the long-term scale. Lung capacity studies show children who breastfed atleast 4 months stronger than children who were bottlefed, regardless if bottlefeeding was breastmilk or formula. The suckling act proves a better lung exercise.

Despite what others think of me giving extended feeding to my son, I feel confident that I'm doing the right and natural thing. He's a happy child, and I'm a happy mom. Allowing him to wean himself will let him assert his independence and let him know that his opinion matters. I try to be responsive to my son when he talks to me, and being responsive when he wants to nurse is just as important. I could never let him "cry-it-out", nor will I deny him when he wants feeding. I'm hoping he will choose to wean soon, as I'd like to have my body back (somewhat) like it was before.

In a small way, it is depressing to look in the mirror and see how poorly my clothes fit me and how much weight I've gained. After he is done nursing, I may try dieting. Because my breasts are so large, I feel unattractive because I do not have the proper support in these nursing bras. I'm hoping my breasts will go down in size a bit. It's depressing to think they might be this big forever.... I'd almost consider breast reduction.

Be Green!

breastfeeding saves money

Studies by Dr. Miriam Labbok, director of the breastfeeding division at Georgetown University Medical Center, indicate that the U.S. could save two to four billion dollars each year in health costs if all mothers breastfeed their newborns for at least the first three months. Here are a few more reasons to consider breastfeeding:


There is strong evidence that breastfeeding reduces the incidence of diarrhea, lower-respiratory infection, ear infections, urinary tract infections, bacterial meningitis, Crohn's Disease, colitis and other diseases (American Academy of Pediatrics).
Studies have shown that breastfed babies have significantly higher IQs (about eight points) than their formula-fed counterparts.
There may be a link to a decreased incidence of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome among breastfed babies.
Numerous benefits to mothers include a reduced risk of ovarian and breast cancers, as well as a lower incidence of hip fractures during the post-menopausal period.

The Cure For Everything

Only if life's problems all had this same answer as they do now. He's hungry -- Feed him. He's not feeling well -- Nurse him. He bumped his head -- Nurse. Right now, whatever is wrong (except a poopy diaper) then nursing is the simple solution... What he really wants the most is love, attention and to be comforted when things aren't going well and he's unhappy. Breastfeeding goes beyond the needs of nourishment. It is comforting to be held secure and snug in your mommy's arms where it's warm and cozy. Look up into her loving eyes as she smiles reassuringly to you to let you know that as long as she's there, everything will be alright.

Too bad our sweet little babies grow up and as they do they have bigger problems with harder answers. We should be grateful now, while they're still small enough for us to pick them up and kiss their foreheads to make it all better, that it's this easy to be the hero.

So whenever you're wishing your little one could fall to sleep on his own (and stay asleep) or that he'd give you more freedom from constant nursings, keep in mind that some day you'll wish that things were so simple. Some day you won't have the answer to every problem life throws at you and you'll miss these days. Cherish them.

My son rarely falls to sleep on his own. And hasn't slept through the night since before he got four teeth at once around 7 months. Well, that was 10 months ago! Ten months since I've slept though the night! The problem isn't that he needs to nurse to sleep, I don't mind that so much. It's that he wakes up three hours later and I haven't the heart (or rather, lack of) to allow him to cry himself to sleep.

I tried the cry it out method once, and he still woke up 3 hours later any way and still crying. Quicker and easier to nurse him. Besides, in order to listen to him crying and not come to his side, I had to attempt to emotionally detach myself from the situation. When I realized that, I felt horrible that I could ever do that to my child. Not care. He wanted my comfort and love, why on Earth would I withhold my love from my son whom I love so much? I'm willing to sacrifice my sleep and comfort my child to sleep. For another year if I have to, or however long it takes.

Yea, I can teach him to comfort himself, by not giving him my comforting, and what, teach him that when it comes down to it, the only person you can count on is yourself? I think that's a very pessimistic outlook in life, and I want him to learn that it is better to love and trust and be betrayed and hurt than to never open yourself up at all. For the chance that you'll find the same love returned back to you, it's all worth it.

Am I over intellectualizing the consequences of comforting method vs. cry-it-out? Yes, but so do all those cry-it-out fanatics who swear by it up and down and try to shove it down your throats. Enough already. I'm going to love and raise my son my way and I won't tell you how to raise your kids. There's no way to prove which is the right way. This is the way that works for me and we're all happy and that is all that matters to me.

It is tiring to have so many interrupted nights of sleep. We just moved him from our bed to a toddler bed. He seems to be adjusting well, but he still wakes, and now it's harder for me to comfort him back to sleep. Either I contort myself to nurse him in his bed, or I pick him up and nurse him in the recliner. Unfortunately, if I opt for the latter, I'm often too tired and fall asleep, and wake up with a sweaty baby in my arms. And putting him back in the toddler bed might just wake him up. It was easier in the bed, just had to whip it out and then he'd fall right back to sleep, and so could I. We'll all adjust....

Mothers Saving Lives

Breastfeeding can save lives, literally.

Kati Kim's Story Breastfeeding saved her children's lives in a crisis.

Unicef Video on YouTube In the wake of a disaster, breastfeeding vs. formula saves infants.

Unicef Article on CBS. Infant mortality rate drops worldwide.

During a Disaster, an article on University of Florida

Formula for Disaster, an article on the MotherWear Blog

Fitting Your Lifestyle

It is a big decision to choose whether or not to breastfeed and to choose the right way to do it that will fit your lifestyle. Myself, I am a stay-at-home Mom who can devote all of her time to the care of my son. Most mothers this day and age it really isn't an option to stay home. Even working from home moms might have difficulty meeting the demands of exclusive breastfeeding. But a fair in-between might work for you.

Unfortunately, the work field isn't generally designed for the working mom's needs in mind. Many workplaces do not have a break area where a mother can quietly and comfortably pump, and I'm not suggesting women use the employee restroom. You wouldn't eat YOUR lunch there, so why would you prepare your child's there? Many workplaces also will not easily accommodate for the time needed to pump. Generally once every two hours you'd need an averagely 15 minute break. In an 8 hour shift you'd need roughly 3 breaks totaling around 45 minutes or more. When deciding whether or not to breastfeed while working, talk to your employer about what accommodations can be made.

Then you'd need to acquire the right pump for the job. A double pump hospital grade should do the job in no time. Moms who won't be pumping as often can use a manual or lesser grade. Build up your milk supply before returning to work. To do this pump once every 2 hours round the clock for about two days, then start pumping at a scheduled routine. Example: Nurse in morning, then begin 2 hour pump routine as you would at work while feeding your child stored milk as he/she would from a caretaker, then at your return from work time continue feedings as normal. Of course, you'd need to adjust that to fit your needs. Some mothers may need to supplement with formula if their at work milk supply is low. With each growth spurt your child has, you may need to pump around the clock again to build up the milk supply. Babies do this naturally for you when they nurse practically all day and sleep the rest of the time.

Pumping tips:

Attempt to express hind milk from both breasts for maximum nutritional value and calories.

Massage and compression may help express hind milk or increase flow.

Sometimes warm compress may help with initial letdown or take a nice relaxing shower/bath.

Relaxing and breathing help, just like Lamaze, helps letdown sometimes.

Thinking of your child or looking at a picture is supposed to help, so keep a pic handy.

You'll express different amounts at different times, do not stress out on a low pump.

Your nutrition and health is very important, it effects content and quality of milk. Rest and exercise are also very important, though anyone taking care of a mobile infant/toddler gets plenty of the latter and not enough of the former.

Try to minimize your daily stresses and your pump sessions will be more productive.

Keep hydrated and snack healthy and often.

Benefits of breastfeeding

I found this great article that discusses the benefits of breastfeeding. The link is attached above in the title, however I'll post a few key points here:

For the baby

• complete form of nutrition for infants
• Premature babies do better when breastfed compared to premature babies formula fed
  
• Breast milk has agents (called antibodies) in it to help protect infants from bacteria and viruses
• Breastfed babies score slightly higher on IQ tests

For the mother

• Nursing uses up extra calories, making it easier to lose the pounds of pregnancy
• Breastfeeding lowers the risk of breast and ovarian cancers
• It saves time and money
• Breastfeeding can help a mother to bond with her baby

And one little fact that I learned while breastfeeding my son: breastmilk can cure pink eye->

I had ended up developing a mild case of pink eye while I was nursing my son years ago, and my doctor prescribed an antibiotic to me. Well I immediately read the warnings and it said: do not take if you are nursing!!! Frustrated, I contacted a friend of mine who was part of La Leche League. Thankfully she gave me the scoop: take a dropper and fill it with your breastmilk. Use it like eye drops and the infection will disappear naturally! So I did it, and within less than 24 hours the infection was gone!