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Give it a shot...Jun 09 '00 Write an essay on this topic.I feel that breast is best, but it is not always an option for both mother and baby. My personal thoughts on the matter is that breastfeeding should at least be attempted, if the mother is medically able. A girlfriend of mine just had a baby, but can't even attempt nursing because she takes medications to control seizures, which would harm the baby. My point is - you never know if you will like it, until you try it. I had my daughter young - at age 20. The idea of an infant suckling at my breast didn't exactly appeal to me. But I had read on the subject and knew how much better breast milk is for infants than formula. So I decided to give it a shot. At first, my daughter couldn't grasp the concept of latching on. Then she did - OH BOY, did she ever! I felt as if she was ripping my nipple off. For those first few days, I would sit there, tears streaming down my cheeks and wanting to howl in pain as she hungrily nursed. It was sheer torture. I'm sure that is the point where many mothers give up. I almost did. But somehow I stuck with it and pretty soon, it was a piece of cake. Not to mention extremely convenient. When she would awaken in the middle of the night, I pulled her close to me, sat back and relaxed - often falling right back asleep. She was taking to the breast milk very well and gaining weight like a champ. But, like I said, I was young. Pretty soon my 21st birthday was approaching and I knew that I couldn't very well go out and drink and then nurse my child. I substituted a bottle for her, to see how she would like it, and she was hooked. My birthday came and went and I attempted to go back to nursing. She refused me. She had discovered that the bottle was MUCH easier than nursing and weaned herself. So after 8 weeks, that was that. My nursing experience was over. And it was her decision. I think every mother should attempt to breast-feed. It was a wonderful experience and something I plan to do again. I feel that breast-feeding was the way God and Nature intended. But it is a very personal decision, and one that sometimes doesn't work for every mother and baby. You should do what you feel is right for you, your child and the situation you are in. In the end, I was glad my daughter weaned herself. It made things easier on both of us, and maybe instinctively, she knew that. :)  |
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