Breastfeeding. It is your choice.
Nov 10 '00
I aquired any information needed from The Association of Breastfeeding Mothers.
First let me state that this is only my opinion. And I am not trying to pursued anyone to breastfeed.
I would also like to add that if you want to breastfeed, then do so. If you choose to bottle-fed, that is your right as well. You do whatever you feel is comfortable for you and your family. Do not by any means let anyone force you or make you feel guilty about breastfeeding. It is your choice, and everyone who makes it such a big issue needs to realize this.
So how should I start this?
All pregnant women and their families need to know the risks of formula feeding. Women should be encouraged to breastfeed, and information should be available at all times.
All the good intentions in the world will not help a mother who has sore nipples, because the baby is not nursing right. Or a mother who has been told, almost always inappropriately, that she must stop breastfeeding because of an illness or medication in her or her baby. Or a mother whose milk supply just is not enough for the baby to get a full belly. Make no mistake, advice from a professional is often the single most common reason for mothers’ failing at breastfeeding!
I think that if mothers get the information about the risks of formula feeding and decide that they still want to formula feed, they will have made an informed choice. So the women who feel guilty about not breastfeeding are not the ones who made an informed choice, but the ones who tried, and were unable to breastfeed.
I myself chose to breasfeed all 5 of my children. I was not forced, or made to feel guilty. I wanted to, because I felt that it was the best thing for my children. Some people feel as though bottle feeding is the best thing for their children. And they may be right. Breastfeeding is not for everyone. It is time consuming. It can get messy, and down right uncomfortable. The weaning process is very difficult if you wait past a certain age, and I can go on and on. There are up and down sides to both issues. You just need to make yourself aware of all the pros and cons before the baby is born.
I have done a little research for you, and this is what I have found. Here are the top 15 myths about breastfeeding.
1. Many women do not produce enough milk.
Not true! Most women produce more than enough milk. Actually, if you have breastfed before, you know what those first few weeks are like. Ugh. In fact, most babies who do not gain weight or lose weight, do so because they are not latching to the nipple properly.
2. It is normal for breastfeeding to hurt?
No! OK, so it is uncomfortable for a few days, but it is temporary. It is not suppose to be painful. It is more like an aching then a pain. If the nipple pain does not get better after 5 days, please make an appointment to see your doctor. It could be a problem you are not aware of.
3. There is not enough milk during the first 3 or 4 days.
This is not true. If your milk does not seem to be there, then the baby is not latching right on the nipple. You need the baby to suck to produce, and this is the most common reason why the milk does not produce.
4. A baby should be on the breast 20 minutes on each side..
Oh how not true this is. I have breastfed 5 children, and none have ever even touched the right breast. It has always been the left. And the amount of time to keep them on. They stop when they are full. And if they are too full, well you will know it when they wake up. You will be more than likely wearing it. : }
5. A breastfed baby needs extra water in hot water.
I thought this was pretty funny. Breast milk is 90% water. I think they get enough. Besides, giving a baby under 6 months old water, can lead to, to much water in the lungs. Their bodies cannot absorb as much water as normal. So it tends to get backed up and floods the lungs.
6. Breastfeeding babies need extra vitamin D.
The only time this is need is if the mother was deficient during pregnancy. A little outside exposure, on a regular basis, gives the baby all the vitamin D they need.
7. A mother should was her nipples each time before feeding the baby.
NO... Have you ever noticed if you squeeze your nipple, that a bit of like oily milk comes out? Well it is there for a reason. It coats and protects your nipples. LEAVE IT ALONE.
8. Breastmilk does not contain enough Iron for the baby’s needs.
If the baby is to full term, then the baby will have a supply of iron from breast milk to last up to 6 months. Formula on the other hand contains to much iron and is poorly absorbed, and most of it the baby poops out.
9. Pumping is a good way of knowing how much milk you have.
NO... have you ever tried to pump? OMG. I myself am a milk factory. I produce milk faster than cows, but, when it comes to pumping, forget it. I will get a mere half an inch of milk in 30 minutes. It just does not happen. Besides, when a child is nursing, they get so much more milk out than you could ever pump.
10. It is easier to bottle feed than to breastfeed.
Not true. Breastfeeding is made difficult because of lack of help and information. A poor start can lead to uncertainties, and not wanting to keep trying anymore. Breastfeeding is often more difficult at first, but usually becomes much, much easier with time.
11. Breastfeeding ties the mother down.
This really depends on you and what your definition of tying down means. Yes it is time consuming. But they can be nursed anywhere you go. You don’t have to warm the milk, no bottles, and you don’t need to run to the store and by more formula. Plus, you do not need to worry about how your child is because he or she is with you.
12. There is no way to know how much milk the baby is getting.
Well, there is no way to measure it, true. But if your baby is sucking and pausing, then you know that they are getting sufficient enough milk.
13. Modern formulas are the same as breastmilk.
This is not true at all. Formula is superficially similar to breastmilk. There is no exact copy of breastmilk, nor will there ever be. Formula has no antibodies, no living cells, no enzymes, and no hormones. Formulas succeed only at making babies grow well, but there is so much more to breastfeeding that making the baby grow well.
14. If the mother gets sick she should stop breastfeeding.
NO. Only if it is absolutely necessary. I have been with the flu many times, and always kept breastfeeding. Just this past month my son and I had the flu. I was sick, and he was slightly sick. I was so grateful that I was still nursing him, he would not eat or drink anything, but when it came to the breast, he ate until he was full and asleep. So unless you are taking a medication that will travel through the milk, then there is no need to stop.
15. If the mother is taking medicine she should stop nursing.
Like I said before, there is no need to stop breastfeeding. There are very few medicines that will actually come through the milk. If it does come through the milk, it is such a tiny amount that it there is no need to stop nursing.
OK. I sure hope that this has answered some of the question you were wondering about. There is so much to learn about breastfeeding. Believe it or not, there is a right way and a wrong way to breastfeed, with proper guidance and plenty of information, your breastfeeding experience will be something to pass on to your own children.
I wish you luck in all of your doings, and I hope all your children are happy and healthy.
Peace.
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