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Breastfeeding
Cows milk for Cows and Human milk for Humans

History

Until the 1930's bottle feeding was just about unheard of. Up until then it was universally accepted that most new mothers could and did breastfeed. After all, that's what they are for! Infant formula was made from cows milk and became a mistaken symbol of affluence. Formula feeding increased and breastfeed sharply declined. Studies done in the 1960's repeatly proved the superiorty of breastmilk and now, after thirty years breastfeeding is once again popular and the prefered method of nourishment for babies.

Advantages

  • Breastfeeding is easy and convenient, it's always ready to drink and just the right temperature.
  • Colostrum is the first milk the baby receives and passes along immunities which protect the baby.
  • Breastmilk is the perfect food for a babies development.
  • Breastfed infants have fewer illnesses, allergies and infections
  • Breastfeeding helps establish a bond between mother and child.
  • Breastfeeding helps proper jaw and mouth development
How can partners help with breastfeeding?
  • Giving loving and pratical support to Mom greatly contributes to the success of breastfeeding.
  • Holding the baby promotes bonding with the other parent. This allows the mother a chance to attend to her own needs
  • Even something as simple as taking on the chores usually done by Mom while she feeds the baby can very helpful.
  • When the need to bottle feed expressed breastmilk to the baby arrises the partner can be the one to introduce the bottle and will experience less resistance from the baby than if the mother tried.

Diet

  • Breast feeding Moms should eat a well balanced diet with plenty of deeply colored fruits and vegetables
  • Clear fluids are essential, but limit the amount of sodas, caffeinated drinks and alcohol
  • Certain foods (the ones that cause gas in adults) can cause gas in infants. Beans, onions, broccoli, cauliflower, garlic, eggplant and sometimes dairy products are the culprits, in which case eliminate the suspect foods for three days and gradually introduce them again one at a time until you find the offending food. Pharamacies and health foods stores carry products to help relieve gas in infants. Keeping a list of what you ate each day will easily help you to identify problem foods.
Feeding in public
  • Breastfeeding in public is easy with the help of a babies blanket over your shoulder covering your breast and the baby. Practice in front of a mirror at home before you try it in public.
  • Fitting rooms in clothing departments are also a great alternative.

Common Misconceptions

True
Your breast size matters not!
Frequent feeding increases milk production, less feeding reduces milk production. Fact: Breast size increases during pregnancy and while breastfeeding and will return to pre-pregnancy size when breastfeeding stops.

True
Breastfeeding helps the uterus shrink back to normal size

False
Breastfeeding hurts.
If it hurts to breast feed ask an expert for help, often it is a simple matter of not enough of your areola in the babies mouth or you may need to stimulate the milk flow or "let down" before the baby latches on to the breast.

False
Breastfeeding causes a woman to loose her figure.
No, pregnancy temporarly does that! Breastfeeding actually helps a woman to loose the weight she gained during pregnancy more quickly than mothers who bottle feed. Poor diet and lack of exercise will have a negative effect on any body.

False
You can't breastfeed and work. Yes, you can!
Electric or manual breast pumps allow nursing moms freedom to leave the baby with someone else and return to the workplace. Breasts can be pumped during a lunchbreak and the milk stored or frozen for future use. Or stockpile breast milk before returning to work during the evening and on the weekends. Breast milk quickly earns the status of liquid "gold!"

Get information, know the facts and expect success with breastfeeding and deal with problems if they arise!

*For more in depth information on breastfeeding
The La Leche League International is an informative link.