Breastfeeding and my experiences (so far)...

Breastfeeding has simply innumerable benefits. Scientists have tried to replicate breastmilk but find themselves unable to produce a formula with all the benefits of breastmilk. Benefits span emotional, physiological and behavioral, with both mother and child benefiting.

During my first pregnancy, my mom encouraged me to breastfeed and so began my journey! When I first decided I would breastfeed, I set a goal of six months. I certainly didn't want to be one of those moms who had a toddler pulling on my shirt. (!) When my daughter was born, my milk didn't come in until five days postpartum- when it did it came in full force. I was so engorged that Ellie was unable to even latch onto my breasts to nurse and my medical grade breastpump was unable to get a seal so I could relieve some of the pressure. Thankfully, my MIL mentioned my engorgement to a local pharmacist who suggest a Medela Breast Shield. With the breast shield, Ellie was finally able to latch on enough to nurse. Aaaaah, relief! The breast shield is often not recommended as it can cause nipple confusion, but in my case it was the difference between breastfeeding and bottlefeeding and I chose breastfeeding! Within a couple of weeks, I was able to wean dd from using the breast shield and our nursing relationship plugged happily on. (get it, plugged? Haha, okay so it wasn't that funny!) I have overactive letdown which thankfully subsided within a couple of months and was less severe with my second child.

As my daughter grew and thrived on momma milk, I learned that not only do the emotional benefits continue for mom and baby; but the physical benefits continue the longer you nurse. At some point during Ellie's first year, I decided that I would just let Ellie wean when SHE was ready. I didn't know then that there is actually a name for it, Child Led Weaning (CLW). Ellie ended up weaning at 20 months old, a bit earlier than I expected. Anthropologist Katherine Dettwyler has determined that the natural age of weaning for humans is somewhere between 2.5 and 7 years. I know the idea of nursing a two year old can be shocking enough to some, but then again many of us rarely even see infants nursing!

Ellie has very good associations with nursing, and was very gentle with ds when he was born. She would pat ds on the head (gently thankfully!) and then pat my breasts while smiling (she was a late talker). Now she walks around all the time, nursing her baby dolls and telling me she has Mommy Milk in her breasts! LOL And she loves to see nursing babies and nursing animals (she loves the scene in Spirit: Stallion of the Cimarron where he nurses shortly after birth and belches a big milky burp! :)

I again practiced CLW with my son. I had guessed he would nurse to age three and beyond, but he weaned at 32 months old during my third pregnancy. I am now nursing our 17 month old daughter and will also practice CLW with her.

Breastfeeding is a very nurturing part of parenting and should be the first choice in feeding your baby because of it's superior nutrition, it's help in bonding and innumerable health benefits.

"Women should not feel guilty if they are unable to breastfeed, but they should feel guilty if they are unwilling to do so, and they should be intellectually honest enough to know the difference."-Elizabeth Gene