Baby on the Way?

How I Came to Breastfeed
by Robyn Rogers

From the first time I thought about having a baby and right until I was five months pregnant with my first, I was adamant that I wouldn't breastfeed. I had a lot of fears about how my body would change. I had heard that your breasts become saggy and I guess for most women that thought is not appealing. I was ignorant to breastfeeding and I suppose I was determined to stay that way.

My baby started to kick and move around and from that time on I bonded and fell in love with her. I knew I wanted to do the best I could for myself. Then the issue came up again about breastfeeding and this time I wanted to do some research. I bought many books on the subject. I didn't feel pressured into breastfeeding and neither should any other expectant mother. I just gave myself the opportunity to learn and understand about the good and bad points of breastfeeding. I knew that even if I didn't want to breastfeed, packaged milk was good for my baby too. So don't feel guilty if you, mom decide not to breastfeed.

In doing my research I found out a lot of good things that come from breastfeeding. Sure, there are down falls but the positives outweighed the negatives FOR ME I need to add FOR ME because I don't intend to make any mother feel that they have to breastfeed because they "have to do the right thing." The right thing is what you believe is right for you and your baby. I do intend to share with you the benefits and down falls so you also can have the opportunity to learn and understand as I did.

I gave birth to a beautiful baby girl and by the time she was born I was very much ready to breastfeed. I wasn't embarrassed to ask for help that is what the nurses are there for so don't feel embarrassed to ask! I was fearful though. One fear was whether the baby was getting enough milk. If the baby has at least 6 to 8 wet diapers a day then you are doing fine. Always ask if you are in doubt though. For comfort I would lay my baby on a pillow next to my breast because that way I could relax and so could baby. Actually the hormones related to breastfeeding act as a tranquilizer and help mom to feel calm.

Breastfeeding does take time to get used to for both you and the baby but once the baby latches on you are half way there. Your breasts will swell when the milk comes in but I have found that either expressing a little milk or applying a warm compress on your breast before each feeding helps with the discomfort. It really doesn't last long. Sometimes you can get sore nipples which only lasts the first week or two, but don't ignore the soreness because the nipples can become cracked and infected. Make sure the baby is opening his/her mouth wide enough to cover the area of the areola, also put Lanolin on you nipples which is safe for baby to ingest. (so say experts: William Sears, M.D., and Martha Sears, R.R.)

Although you do get discomfort, you will see that this will eventually go away and that the benefits have lasting affects. I will give you a few benefits that I know of for you to think about. 1. Breastfeeding gives you time to bond which I thought was wonderful. 2. Colostrum (first milk) is very good as well as it's especially made for your baby. 3. Milk has vitamins and minerals and protects against diseases and also decreases the risk of breast cancer. 4. It's less expensive than powder milk and makes traveling easier which was a great help to me.

Another really good thing I am sure you would like to know because I was happy about it (and in my experiance it does work) is that it helps you to lose weight and helps the uterus to return to it's nomal size quicker. In my experience overcoming my fears and choosing to breastfeed was the best choice I made. I hope this article helps mothers to at least have an open mind and is an enouragement for all.

About the Author: Robyn is a twenty-nine year old mother of two girls aged two and three and stepmom to a boy aged fourteen. Originally from Britain, she enjoys writing small books for toddlers and also has a poem published on Poetry.com. Favorite past times include playing with the children, glass painting, family get togethers and writing articles.

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