Breastfeeding is Good for Mother and Baby

Mothers find many reasons to excuse themselves from nursing their baby. Although some are valid, quite a few are not completely fair to the baby. The benefits of feeding a baby breast milk are far too important to give a half hearted effort and decide to give up. Especially after a difficult birth, it is not easy to try to "force" the little one to latch on and suck. This is even more true when the breast does not give forth much milk until several days after birth. Even if mother has to supplement with formula, a small amount of breast milk does wonders for the newborn.

Nursing also brings about benefits for mother. The hormone oxytocin is released into the mother's body giving her a motherly feeling. It helps the bonding occur between mom and baby. You may not be your same rational self, but give in to the happy feeling. Also, your memory will not be what it was before, but that is why you take pictures and videos. The loss of memory is probaby so you will agree to do all this again without thinking about all the sleepless nights!

Be aware that the breast may become infected. When a milk duct within the breast or under the armpit become blocked, an infection may occur. The area becomes swollen and red. It is warm to the touch and mom gets a fever. Call or see your doctor and ask for antibiotics as soon as possible. This can be very dangerous if not treated. Continue feeding from this breast and attempt to drain it first before starting on the second breast. A warm compress can be placed on the breast.

Pumping milk from the breast has made it easier to feed the baby even if breast feeding is too uncomfortable. It makes mom feel a bit like a cow when she looks down and sees milk squirting out of multiple holes in the nipple, but remember this is for baby. This allows dad to bond with baby as well. It can give mom a rest during the middle of the night. There are little tubes attached to a syringe so parents can trick baby into thinking it is sucking on the breast when it is actually sucking on a finger. This is important since baby must not bottle feed in the first month or else it will prefer the bottle over the breast since the bottle is easier to get milk out of.

Please try to nurse baby for a week before you quit. If it is not working at this point, please pump what you can and feed it with formula. But don't stop just because it feels funny, is inconvenient, you are too shy or you want to indulge in alcohol or drugs. Wait at least two hours after each drink before nursing or pumping. If you still feel drunk, there is a good chance the milk will come back up if you try feeding it to baby. In any case, drink a lot of nonalcoholic fluids to increase milk production and pump and store some when you can. You never know when you might need it.

Good luck!

1. Breast milk is free
2. The American Academy of Pediatrics, the World Health Organization and UNICEF recommend it
3. It is easier than formula
4. It is always at the right temperature
5. It stimulates the release of the hormone oxytocin and promotes bonding
6. It provides perfect infant nutrition
7. It is associated with higher IQ
8. There is less waste in packaging products
9. Being held and cuddled satisfies baby's emotional needs
10. It aids in the development of baby's immune system
11. It acts as a natural tranquilizer for baby
12. It is more digestible than formula
13. It contains endorphins and is a natural pain relief for baby
14. It decreases mother's risk of breast and ovarian cancer.
15. It has antibacterial properties
16. It is a good natural antibiotic
17. Spit up stains are easier to clean
18. It facilitates in the passing of meconium
19. Diapers smell better with breastfed babies
20. It burns 500 calories per day
21. It is a good source of vitamin A for baby's vision
22. It decreases the occurrence of sudden infant death syndrome, ear infections, asthma, eczema, and allergies in baby
23. It decreases the occurrence of obesity in baby in later life
24. It decreases the occurrence of cavities and promotes proper dental and jaw development
25. It helps mother's uterus shrink back to normal size