National Breastfeeding Month

I know I can't be the only person who didn't know that August was National Breastfeeding Month. Breastfeeding was not something that was talked about in my house when I was growing up so I never really gave it much thought when I had my older children. I was 18 when I had Malice and my milk didn't come in. When I had Khi'Andrhe and Boss I got milk both times but never really thought anything about it because the formula was what I was used to. Then when Ally Katt come along I started doing more research and figured why not give it a shot. So I breastfeed both of my younger children. I wanted to write this post to celebrate breastfeeding and share some facts about it.

My stance is that fed is best. What I mean by that is do whatever way works for each individual and their child be that formula or breastmilk. I know some parents would have liked to breastfeed and could not. I don't want to make anyone feel bad. I can empathize because both times at the start of my breastfeeding I was not producing enough and had low supply issues throughout. I felt like my body was betraying me when I had to supplement. I just had to remind myself as long as the child was fed that was what mattered. Now on to some facts and tips I will link all resources at the bottom of this post.

Five facts from the CDC about Breastfeeding

• Only 1 in 4 infants is exclusively breastfed as recommended by the time they are 6 months old.

• Sixty percent of mothers do not breastfeed for as long as they intend to.

• Low rates of breastfeeding add more than $3 billion a year to medical costs for the mother and child in the United States.

• Infants who are breastfed have reduced risks of:

  • Asthma.

  • Obesity.

  • Type 1 diabetes.

  • Severe lower respiratory disease.

  • Acute otitis media (ear infections).

  • Sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS).

  • Gastrointestinal infections (diarrhea/vomiting).

  • Necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) for preterm infants

• Breastfeeding can help lower a mother’s risk of:

  • High blood pressure.

  • Type 2 diabetes.

  • Ovarian cancer.

  • Breast cancer.

5 facts from The Office on Women's Health

• Breastfeeding allows your body to recover from pregnancy and childbirth more quickly.

• The hormones released when you breastfeed help your uterus shrink back to its pre-pregnancy size.

• Breastfeeding exposes your baby to many different tastes

• Formula has only one taste. But through your breastmilk, your baby eventually gets a slight taste of whatever you eat, although not directly. This may make introducing solid foods easier when your baby is 6 months old.

• Your body starts getting ready to breastfeed during pregnancy.

• After you give birth, your body gets the final signal to make milk, which is usually more than one newborn can handle. Why? Your body doesn’t know whether you have one, two, three, four, or more babies to feed. Your supply then regulates to meet your baby’s (or babies’) needs.

• Your breastmilk changes during a feeding session.

• When your baby first starts to nurse, your milk is a watery bluish color. Toward the end of the feeding session, your baby gets to thicker, fattier milk, which gives your baby the calories needed to grow healthy and strong.

• Your body starts getting ready to breastfeed during pregnancy.

• After you give birth, your body gets the final signal to make milk, which is usually more than one newborn can handle. Why? Your body doesn’t know whether you have one, two, three, four, or more babies to feed. Your supply then regulates to meet your baby’s (or babies’) needs.

Tools Every Breastfeeding Mom Needs from Parents.com

• Nursing pillow. Unlike other pillows, it wraps around your body and helps with positioning. It can also relieve stress on your back, neck, and shoulders.

• Sore-nipple soother. Lanolin-based creams are a proven remedy, but some consultants prefer organic coconut oil or Motherlove nipple cream, which are not animal products. (Lanolin comes from sheep, which can occasionally cause an allergic reaction.) All are considered safe for babies. Water-based hydrogels can also promote healing. But your nipples won't heal unless you first solve any underlying latch problems.

• Tracking system. Download an app from iTunes or Google Play to record feedings and diaper counts and track doctor's visits during those foggy first weeks.

• Expert access. Have the number of someone you can call for help (a local lactation consultant or a La Leche League leader) programmed into your phone.

• Double electric pump. It's a must-have if you're going back to work; look for one with graduated suction-level settings (rather than just high, medium, and low) and several sizes of flanges (or breast shields) available.

There were so many more sites I could have linked for information but I didn't want this post to be every site I found on Google. As I stated before this is not a diss for the parents that can't breastfeed or the parents that choose to formula feed. No matter your choice you are still a rockstar in my eyes. I've done both and still have 4 very healthy children to show for it. My main reason for choosing to breastfeed was financial because I didn't have to buy formula anymore. I also personally don't think the diapers stick as bad. Lastly, I liked the health benefits it could have for my child. Happy National Breastfeeding Month!!!

Unapologetically,

K