Breastfeeding! Can't get any better than that!

Breastfeeding is the ONLY all natural way to fed your baby!  I have done it with both my girls and will do it for any future children we have.  My oldest that is 3 year now breastfed until she was 14 months old.  By then most of her eating came from food but at night and nap time she would nurse.  I am currently breastfeeding my 7 month old this way.  I will continue to feed her this way until she is ready to stop!  I learned the world average is 5 years!!  I will not be breastfeeding her that long but if that is what other moms prefer or need to do to feed their babies I won't be one to judge.  Now remember that is a WORLD average so that would included countries where food is scarce and that would be the only way for their child to survive.  There are so many benefits and not many drawbacks!  Anything that some might consider a drawback might not be to others or there are ways to work around it. 

First we will start with the benefits....

• It's FREE....you don't have to spend any money on it except to feed yourself lol
• It's all ready to feed your child as soon as they are hungry...don't have to wait the time to properly (notice I said properly) make a bottle...I say it this way because I have seen WAY too many moms make bottles with hot tap water or stick them in the microwave!
• Breast milk adjusts to your babies needs....for example if your baby is starting to get a cold or flu your body will produce the right antibodies to keep your baby from getting really sick....My youngest was born in the fall so sickness spreads like crazy and is hard to prevent.  She ended up getting RSV which can be very serious for young babies.  Her doctor let me know because I was breastfeeding she would not get nearly as sick as babies that are formula fed, and it worked out that way : )
• Breast milk develops the babies brain first while formula develops bones first.
• Breastfeeding reduces the mother's risk of breast cancer.  it also has properties to protect the child later in life from developing cancer, diabetes, polio, and other diseases.
• It helps the mother lose her extra weight from being pregnant faster! I'm proud to say I was back in my regular jeans by 6 weeks!!
• You don't have to worry about running out!  Your body will make as much milk as your baby needs.
• If you had smaller breasts before pregnancy they will get much bigger : )
• You form an AMAZING bond with your baby!

Here are some things that might be considered drawbacks, but I have also included ways to change this. . .

• Your  baby will get hungry when you are out and about, especially the first few months.  
• You can pump milk before you go and have a bottle of breast milk.
• Use a blanket or get a cover and feed your baby in the car or where ever is convenient.  I have sat in the grocery parking lot with a blanket over us and feed her with no one noticing.
• Some experience discomfort the first couple weeks.  This could be because baby is not latching on correctly or dryness.

• If it;s due to not latching on correctly it can be helped by talking with a lactation consultant who can give you advice.
• Make sure you have cream for your nipples they may get chapped in the beginning if you don't.  There are special creams for this and they work great.  My hospital provided me with samples of Lansinoh® which worked well.  I also used Medela Tender Care™ Lanolin whiched worked just as well.
•  You have to go back to work.
• Where I am from the work place is required to provide a place to pump and store milk. Some babies (like my 7 month old) refuse to take a bottle. I think that was partly because we didn't start until 10 weeks
• Leaking for the first few month of breastfeeding.
• There are disposable and washable nursing pads available at drugstores or online.  I have he even seen some that collect the milk that leaks but have never used them.  I used the disposable with my first daughter and washable with my second.  I preferred the washable ones.

I would encourage all mothers to try!! Don't give up in the first few weeks!  There are so many benefits to breastfeeding for you and your child!