Saturday, October 3, 2009

Breastfeeding Blog

A Breastfeeding Blog

Now in my 11th month of Breastfeeding our son, I think back to the time I started this.

Right after I gave birth. What is breast feeding? According to Wikipedia.com:

Breastfeeding is the feeding of an infant or young child with breast milk directly from human breasts (i.e., via lactation) rather than from a baby bottle or other container. Babies have a sucking reflex that enables them to suck and swallow milk. Most mothers can breastfeed for six months or more, without the addition of infant formula or solid food.

Human breast milk is the healthiest form of milk for human babies.[1] Breastfeeding promotes health, helps to prevent disease and reduces health care and feeding costs.[2] In both developing and developed countries, artificial feeding is associated with more deaths from diarrhea in infants.[3] Experts agree that breastfeeding is beneficial, but may disagree about the length of breastfeeding that is most beneficial, and about the risks of using artificial formulas.[4][5][6]

Emphasizing the value of breastfeeding for both mothers and children, the World Health Organization (WHO) and the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) both recommend exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months of life and then supplemented breastfeeding for at least one year and up to two years or more.[7][8] While recognizing the superiority of breastfeeding, regulating authorities also work to minimize the risks of artificial feeding.[5]

The acceptability of breastfeeding in public varies by culture and country. In Western culture, though most approve of breastfeeding, some mothers may be reluctant to do so out of fear of public opinion.

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I was pretty lucky I had 2 sisters who have breastfed before me and their memory of it was still clear. (Coz one of them was still breastfeeding at the time). They guided me and explained what to expect and what not to expect.

Some of the few things that proved important to know were:
1. In the first few days, the milk that will come out will really look so little (this is colostrum - super rich in nutrients) - and that "little" milk (colostrum) is GOOD enough to fill baby's appetite. Unless your doctor or nurse says otherwise, Do not worry about how little it is!

2. You don't NEED to pump in the first few days (just feed your baby instead) - if you do pump and see that its just a little, it just might discourage you. So just wait maybe a week or so.

3. In the first few weeks, I breastfed on demand - it was like I was telling my body that I needed to make a lot of milk.

(By the way, I'm a SAHM thats why I was able to feed on demand.)
(I will keep updating this list as I remember them.)

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If you need breastfeeding help, please don't hesitate to ask me. I'd love to help! Esepcially new moms who have just given birth, I'd like to give you all the support that I can give. Anything regarding breastfeeding, breastfeeding clothes, breastfeeding baby, breastfeeding help, breastfeeding support, breastfeeding questions, breastfeeding toddler, even basic newborn baby care, or whatevers on your mind.

I'm, no expert but I have experience. :)

Goodluck to all you

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