To celebrate World Breastfeeding Week (1 to 7 August 2010), here are my top 7 reasons for loving breastfeeding, from a Stay-At-Home-Mum’s point of view:
1. Healthy for Baby
Breast milk is the perfect food designed for baby — loaded with antibodies and the composition changes naturally to fit baby’s nutritional needs. Vee has been a relatively healthy child since a newborn and I believe it is from the goodness of breast milk. (Read The Many Benefits of Breastfeeding at kellymom.com.)
2. Healthy for Mummy
Did you know that breastfeeding reduces the mother’s risk of breast, uterine and ovarian cancer? Breastfeeding is also a fast and easy way to lose all those pregnancy bulk. I cared for Vee full-time, dedicated little time for exercise, ate DOUBLE servings of food and stayed as slim as before. (Read 7 Ways Breastfeeding Benefits Mothers at AskDrSears.com.)
3. Free!
The best things in life are free? Yes, when it comes to breastfeeding. Inferred from the table in Which Milk is Better? (Part 2), we saved at least RM3500 (RM250 per month x 14 months) (~USD1100). The savings could be more since a younger baby would drink more milk than a toddler. Oh, and more savings from not buying more milk bottles and teats.
4. Best Baby Pacifier
When baby is crying, colicky and fussy, I have the best weapon as a last resort to regain peace — just pop him to the boobs. Initially I did not intend to co-sleep with Vee and nurse him through the night. But when he woke up every 45 to 60 minutes looking for me, and I lost sleep for a week, I GAVE UP. Suckle all you want and let us sleep, baby. I don’t know of any 20-year old who still breastfeeds, so you would definitely be weaned off one day.
5. Convenient
Breast milk is sterile and available for baby when he needs it. During travels, it is super-convenient, without having to bring milk powder, bottles and steriliser. There is also no concern about getting clean water to make baby’s milk. And no scare about milk tainted with melamine.
6. No Menses and No Cramps
My last menses was on 26 May 2008, 2 years and 2 months ago, until I got pregnant with Vee. I used to have severe menstrual cramps that led to vomiting, fainting and diarrhoea on the first day. It was such a phobia every month when “that day” was arriving. Thanks to Vee who does not sleep through the night, I have enjoyed many carefree months. (I read from a forum that one Mummy practised tandem breastfeeding for 3 children and had no menses for TEN years! I shall try to beat her record.)
7. Environmentally-Friendly
This occurred to me when 2handedoctopus (previous owner of Mia Bambina) pointed out in her Earth Day post. No production of tins, plastic covers, plastic scoops, plastic bottles and teats. No use of electricity to sterilise feeding equipment. Nature meant it to be this way.
Vee is starting to sleep though 5 to 6 hours, suckling only twice at night. I am sooooo going to miss breastfeeding him…
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Sharing Time: If you are a breastfeeding Mum, what do you love most about it?
Simply the feeling of holding him close to me, knowing I’m giving him a good headstart in life by building a stronger immune system and the comfort he gets when he touches my breast, latches on and closes his eyes, suckling away happily.
Great reasons of all!
I’ve got a couple:
*Fully breastfed baby’s poo smells SO MUCH nicer than another baby who is not breastfed.
*Breastmilk tastes so much better than formula does.
Yes, breastfeeding is the best! I’m just able to feed Caleb (not exclusively) for almost 5 months and I always envy those mommy who can feed their baby for over 1 year.
To all breastfeeding mommy out there, I salute you! 🙂
Wow! No menses for 10 years?!!! My record is 25 months (oh how I missed those carefree days! :P) and yes, I am still breastfeeding at 17 months on now, and loving it so so so much! Agree with the benefits mentioned in your post. Great post!
Btw, thanks for dropping by and commenting on my post about Common Myths about SAHM! 🙂
I am a first time min and am breastfeeding my 3 week old, and right when I was feeling exasperated about how much hard work this is, I read this post of yours, and I should say this is a very encouraging reminder for me to continue exclusive breast feeding:-) thank you.
Divya, keep going and all the best! 🙂 I’ve been breastfeeding baby #2 (Jae) for almost 5 months. Time flies! Enjoy Mummyhood! 🙂
Do you bottle feed your boys at any time? with expressed breastmilk of course. Sometimes I need more sleep as A is not sleeping very well these days, but he refuse to take a bottle.. I just wonder if you have any tips..
Hi Eunice, I’ve maxed out my Internet quota, so emails are taking much longer to reply. Anyway, I only tried bottle-feeding Vee occasionally in the day, then stopped because it was a hassle. Jae has never tried a bottle. Both went on to drink from a small open cup / bowl / spoon.
My nurse told me that many breastfed babies will reject the bottle after 6-8 weeks. (Not surprising!) So you may try a clean spoon / syringe / cup / bowl. Much easier to wash and cheaper too. I use stainless steel (or glass) for feeding cutlery wherever possible.
My boys fuss often at night. I avoid breastfeeding them to sleep (for nap and night). If baby fusses after being asleep for a cycle, I’ll try to rock / pat him back to sleep. If he fusses more, I’ll feed him to let him continue sleeping. If he isn’t sucking milk and is only sucking for comfort, then I’ll unlatch the earliest time possible.
I find breastfeeding more convenient at night (nothing to wash / prepare), so (oops!) no tips for alternative feeding. When baby’s older (~12-18 months), then I try to wean off night breastfeeds by spacing out the time, until he finally sleeps through 11-12 hours. We’re working on Jae at this stage now.