Breastmilk = Bestmilk

I support any woman that makes a good effort to breastfeed their child. It is a HUGE sacrifice but in my opinion, totally worth it. Just because breastfeeding is natural, doesn't mean it's easy. It takes lots of time and requires enormous amounts of patience. It seems that people take on an extreme when it comes to breastfeeding; pro- breastfeeding and 100% supportive or totally against it. I don't know too many who fall somewhere in between. I think it's very important to have a supportive partner if you plan to breastfeed. Nate has been that for me and I wouldn't be able to do it without his support. He has been a super trooper! The benefits that it offers are HUGE!

According to Medela, here are just a few of the benefits it offers for baby:

•Research shows that breastfed infants have fewer and shorter episodes of illness.

•Breastfeeding is the most natural and nutritious way to encourage your baby’s optimal development.

•Colostrum (the first milk) is a gentle, natural laxative that helps clear baby’s intestine, decreasing the chance for jaundice to occur.

•The superior nutrition provided by breastmilk benefits your baby’s IQ.

•Breastfeeding is a gentle way for newborns to transition to the world outside the womb.

•The skin-to-skin contact encouraged by breastfeeding offers babies greater emotional security and enhances bonding.

•The activity of sucking at the breast enhances development of baby’s oral muscles, facial bones, and aids in optimal dental development.

•Breastfeeding appears to reduce the risk of obesity and hypertension.

•Breastfeeding delays the onset of hereditary allergic disease, and lowers the risk of developing allergic disease.

•Breastfeeding helps the baby’s immune system mature, protecting the baby in the meantime from viral, bacteria, and parasitic infections.

•Breastfeeding increases the effectiveness of immunizations, increasing the protection against polio, tetanus, and diptheria vaccines.

•Breastfeeding protects against developing chronic diseases such as: celiac disease, inflammatory bowel disease, asthma, and childhood cancers.

And Mom reaps the benefits too:

•Research shows that breastfeeding benefits the health of mothers.

•Breastmilk is always fresh, perfectly clean, just the right temperature, and is the healthy choice at the least cost!

•Increased levels of oxytocin stimulate postpartum uterine contractions, minimizing blood loss and encouraging rapid uterine toning.

•From 3 months to 12 months postpartum, breastfeeding increases the rate of weight loss in most nursing mothers.

•Breastfeeding offers some protection against the early return of fertility.

•Because breastfed babies are healthier, their mothers miss less work and spend less time and money on pediatric care.

•Breastfeeding women report psychological benefits such as increased self-confidence and a stronger sense of connection with their babies.

Don't get me wrong...I enviously watched a young couple at church on Sunday morning feed their newborn son a bottle while I anxiously checked my watch to see how long "we would make it" before it was feeding time again. Oh and last week I came down with mastitis and felt like I had been run over by a truck. I was fortunate enough not to experience mastitis with Gavin. Luckily, I caught it early enough and started antibiotics the next day. So, breastfeeding isn't all roses but I do think it's worth every drop!

Remember when I was a bit worried how Gavin would handle it all? He is doing great. He cracks me up with some of the things he has said...

"Mom, put those away! They are private!"

"Why is Breck drinking so much? Is he soooo thirsty?"

"Is that his last boob?" or "Is that the first boob or the second boob?" (wondering how much longer it will take)

"Are those things full of milk?"

"Will other people see your boobs when you feed him?"

He's so excited that I will start pumping this week. I'm not sure if he's more excited to feed his baby brother a bottle or to see how that pump sucks the milk out.