This week is World Breastfeeding Week! This year’s theme is Breastfeeding: A 3D Experience.
When we look at breastfeeding support, we tend to see it in two-dimensions: time (from pre-pregnancy to weaning) and place (the home, community, health care system, etc). But neither has much impact without a THIRD dimension — communication!
-World Breastfeeding Week, Official Site
I wish I had some photos to share…but I don’t have many that don’t expose my own boobs! Amway, breastfeeding is an amazing experience for both mother and child. I don’t think many women will understand or relate to this until they try it. I always knew that breast is best. I made a choice long before Pinky was in the womb that I would be a breastfeeding mother. It just made sense. I thank God that my mom breastfed me and my siblings. It was her influence that led me to believe that their really are benefits to breastfeeding. Now, at 18 months Pinky is still breastfeeding. The feeling is mutual, most of the time! There are times I want to stop, but the feeling last only a moment.For when I see her smile, when I hold her close it’s a bonding experience that I know will only last until a certain time.
Some people think I’m crazy for continuing to breastfeed, friends and family included. I can understand why they always tell me to, “get her off the boob!” They just don’t understand. No offense, but it’s true. I may complain at times that it’s hard for me to get anything done, or that it hurts. At one point, I was about ready to wean Pinky off, but I couldn’t, because in reality I love it and I’ll be ready to wean when she is!
Here are the top 4 reasons why I support and love breastfeeding, even into the toddler years…honestly they haven’t changed much since I posted about this topic last year. Amazing how time flies…
- The bonding experience. For the reasons mentioned above.
- Healthy for baby and for mommy. Not only does breastfeeding help build your baby’s (or toddler’s) immunity, but it helps prevent many illness, including cancers, for mommies. It is said that breastfeeding helps prevent breast cancer and cardiac disease. Two of the leading causes of death in women.
- Weight Loss. My pre-baby weight was 165 believe it or not. I gained a whopping, but totally normal 30 pounds during pregnancy, which brought me up to almost 200 pounds. I am now 145! People ask me what I did to lose all my baby fat…I tell them, BREASTFEEDING! Hey, it’s true!
- The 3 C’s. Cost effective, Convenient and Comforting. Enough said! Seriously, have you seen what formula costs these days? All I have to do is whip out my boob and she’s happy…no heating required – it’s always the perfect temp. Pinky has had nothing but breast milk, it’s comforting for me to know that she’s having the best. It’s comforting for her because she gets to spend a lot of quality and close time with Mommy!
For more resources, please check out Mama Pear Designs! Lara is a wealth of information and has encouraged me to continue to breastfeed into the toddler years. Other resources are Kelly Mom and La Leche League!
Happy World Breastfeeding Week…let’s celebrate the joys of motherhood!
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I’m celebrating World Breastfeeding Week with Natural Parents Network!
You can, too — link up your breastfeeding posts from August 1-7 in the linky below, and enjoy reading, commenting on, and sharing the posts collected here and on Natural Parents Network.
(Visit NPN for the code to place on your blog.)