Breastfeeding: Pros & Cons To Mother’s Breastfeeding Newborn Babies
Breastfeeding
Breastfeeding, a Gift of Nourishment
One Woman's Decision to Breastfeed.
Is breastfeeding something that comes natural to a woman? We're
certainly created for this ability, but does this mean that all
women will breastfeed their children? For many reasons, some women
do not. What would make a woman decide to share such a relationship
with her child?
When I was pregnant, I remember thinking that I would breastfeed
until my child was 6 weeks old. I mean, this was the norm...right?
At least, this is what most pediatricians tell their patients' mommies.
Ok, I admit there was a bit of a rough start to nursing my child.
Never will I forget how she refused feeding from my left breast
for the first couple of weeks...no football hold, no reversed position
or over the shoulder move would trick her into believing that it
wasn't the left breast! I experienced engorgement in my left breast
because of this, but I was saved by a wonderful breast pump: the
Medela Pump in Style (I tried 2 smaller electric pumps that were
horrible!). I contacted the hospital where I gave birth, and then
La Leche League...both were a great help in supporting my decision
to breastfeed my child. Neither told me that it just might not be
right for me.
Eventually, my child began to nurse on both sides (yes!), but then
I encountered other obstacles. Let's see...there were the sore boobs,
blisters, breast infections...biting (OUCH)...why was I doing this
to myself?
When I hit the 6 week mark, I told myself that I would breastfeed
until at least 6 months. Becoming informed on the many benefits
of breastfeeding had helped me decide to continue doing it, even
though many people (including friends and family) had told me it
was time to stop. And since I have a history of bad allergies, I
wanted to make sure my daughter had the best start in life so she
could possibly avoid the same allergies that I had.
At 6 months, I was still nursing. Having read so much on breastfeeding
a child, I was convinced that nursing until at least 1 year would
give my child the absolute best start in life. I had no thoughts
on going past the 1 year mark, but I kept reading anyway. The more
I read, the more I became strong in my decision and confident enough
to share it with others. I began supporting breastfeeding advocacy,
and tried to inform everyone who looked at me funny when I told
them I was still nursing beyond 1 year. I remember this particular
brief conversation with a previous dentist as clear as it was yesterday,
where after I told him that I couldn't take any medication because
I was still nursing. When he asked how old my child was, I told
him that my daughter was over 2 years old. He said, "Most women
don't usually nurse past 6 weeks". After providing him with
a bit of reality, I quickly switched dentists :-).
In the end, I nursed my child until a month after her 3rd birthday,
all the while knowing I was doing the right thing for the both of
us. With "child-led weaning", our nursing relationship
ended very quietly and discreetly. I don't think I could have breastfed
this long if I didn't feel right about it. Many moms don't breastfeed
for various reasons, but in the end, whatever the reason...you have
to do what's right for you and your child.
Here are just a few important facts about breastfeeding past 6 months:
• Extended breastfeeding contributes to toddler health: "Breastfeeding
was noted to decrease the number of infant illnesses and indirectly
improve toddler health." - Source: Pediatric Nursing
• Breastmilk continues to supply important nutrients after
6 months: "Longitudinal decreases in milk concentrations of
zinc, copper, and potassium, previously documented for the first
6 months, continued into the second 6 months, while protein, iron
and sodium concentrations showed no further decline. Lactose, fat,
calcium and magnesium concentrations were similar to those in earlier
stages of lactation." - Source: Journal of Pediatric Gastroenterology
and Nutrition
• Breastfeeding contributes to dental health: "Among
breastfed infants, the longer the duration of nursing, the lower
the incidence of malocclusion." - Source: American Journal
of Preventive Medicine
• Articles that describe feelings, concerns, conflicts, and
relations of women who breastfed their infants for more than 1 year:
"A study involving 12 women who nursed past a year: The importance
of the mother-child bond, especially for long-term breastfeeding
mothers, needs to be understood by health care providers. Because
of stigma, clients tend to keep long-term breastfeeding a secret,
which inhibits effective client/provider relationship." - Source:
Journal of Nurse-Midwifery
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