Childbirth And Pregnancy Blog

My name is Emily and I am a new mom. My daughter Lily turned one year old last week and I am having the time of my life raising her. I am still breast feeding and pumping which makes her one healthy little girl. I have so many great memories of her and most of them are from when she is nursing. The way she looks up at me is heart warming and when she laughs is so very cute. Breastfeeding has helped me bond with my baby Lily. When she is nursing I can really tell how much she loves and needs me. Breastfeeding creates a strong bond between mother and child. Oxytocin (the love hormone) gets released by the mother’s neurons which can create intense feelings of love and compassion while breastfeeding.

When I was pregnant I decided to breast feed her as soon as she was born. I did a lot of research and learned about how beneficial breastfeeding and pumping is for a baby. If mothers breast feed for at least one year there babies would grow up strong and healthy.

I truly believe that Lily is so health because I breast feed her. She had her first high fever when she was 11 months old. She came down with her 103 temperature one morning and she was already feeling better that night. She recovered so quickly with absolutely no medications. Breast milk gives babies nutrients, antibodies and so much more. This is why I believe that breast milk is the best milk you can ever give your baby.

Breast milk is the best form of nutrition for an infant. It has the right amount of fats, minerals, proteins, carbohydrates, and much more. Baby Formula companies are trying to recreate breast milk for years now. However formulas cannot compare to the benefits to a breast milk. Formulas are artificial and do not have the proper balance of what an infant needs.

Formulas have also been shown to give babies food allergies, diarrhea, and colic symptoms. This is because an infants digestive system has not been fully devolved. If a baby is fed something that is unnatural and artificial it will their bodies will have a harder time processing it. Breast milk is the easiest milk for a baby to digest.

The American Academy of Pediatrics says that mothers should exclusively breast feed for at least until the baby is six months old. After that than she can start introducing solid foods. However babies should continue breast feeding until they are one year of age or even older.Mothers can even choose to exclusively nurse up to one year. Of age.

Did You Know That Breast feeding And Pumping Can Help Boost a Baby’s Immune System?

When babies are born there immune system are undeveloped which is why that are at a high risk of getting ill. A Breast fed baby is passed some of the mother’s immunities through her milk. When a baby is given formula they are not able to get any of the immune boosting powers of breast milk. This can prevent a long list of problems including:

developing food allergies, type 2 diabetes, type 1 diabetes, lymphoma, leukemia, respiratory illness infections, hypertension, stroke, heart attacks, sleep apnea, asthma, poor self esteem, depression, anxiety, substance abuse, suicides, etc……

Breast milk has a lower risk of becoming contaminated too. If you are buying formula from a grocery store you would be transferring it from the plastic containers into the babies bottles. This elevates the risk of bacteria getting into a babies digestive system and causing infections. Babies who are breast fed develop less infections than babies who have been fed formula because of the anti bodies in breast milk. Babies cannot get any anti bodies in any formulas sold today. Breast feeding and pumping is the only way for your baby to get the antibodies they need. Breast Feeding and Pumping Also Helps With Prevent Childhood Obesity

Studies show that breast fed babies are leaner and gain less excess weight. Formula fed babies have been shown to be heavier and don’t develop as much muscle as breast fed babies do. Breast fed infants do not over eat like formula fed babies can.

Breast feeding has a different effect on your baby’s hormone levels and metabolism than formula feeding does. One of these hormones is insulin which tells the body how to store fat. In the long run physical consequences can range from premature death, to serious chronic conditions that reduce the overall quality of life. Breast Feeding Can also Be Beneficial To the Mother

When a mother breast feeds her baby for the very first time after birth her uterus contracts down and she will bleed less. This is a natural way for a mother to heal from labor. Breast feeding also lowers the mother’s risk of pre menopausal breast cancer, ovarian cancer and osteoporosis. Nursing also helps the mothers get back into shape. Pregnant women put on extra weight because they lay down extra fat cells which are later utilized when she breast feeds. Formula is very expensive so the mother could end up saving thousands of dollars every year.

You Can Breast Feed Even If You Cant Be With Your Baby

New moms may have careers they need to go back to. Or if she should ever need time to herself a breast pump can make it possible for a any mom to continue breast feeding. There are manual pumps but after a long day of work you will probably be tired and wont want to manually pump. The Medela Freestyle Breast Pump is a hands free pump. You can relax while this pump does the work for you. Breast milk can last a long time when stored in the freezer. So that if you should ever have to leave you will have reserved milk to rely on.

If you do decide to breast feed I believe that you will be giving your baby a head start to becoming a healthy person. Breastfeeding and pumping are very beneficial for you and your baby. Not only will you bond with your child you will be helping them to lead a healthier happier life.

I have created a site to help parents find fun ways to prevent and beat childhood obesity. This is a deadly epidemic that we all need to fight! ChildhoodObesityInAmerica.com

Because some babies like to feed differently than others, and because you’ll want both your baby and yourself to be comfortable in different surroundings and situations, these are three best breast feeding positions that I recommend.

The Cradle position

You may or may not need pillows for the Cradle position. First, place your baby on your lap with your baby’s head at the breast you intend to feed from. If your baby’s mouth is level with your nipple then you should not need to use a pillow. If you need a pillow find one that allows your nipple and baby’s mouth to be level with one another.

Once you feel that you have the right height you can try this position. If you’re feeding off your left breast, place your right arm up your baby’s back and support your baby’s head. With your left hand express a little bit of breast milk. It may help to a massage your breast first. Also have a wet nipple area can help to save your nipples getting sore.

Then place your thumb at the top of your areola and your second figure underneath your areola. Think of it as 6 o’clock on a clock face. Big hand at the 12 and small hand at the 6. Doing this helps to form your breast better for your baby get a better mouthful of your breast. Now your baby’s nose should be directly across from your nipple. Keep expressing a little breast milk to interest your baby to feed. When your baby opens his or her mouth wide quickly but gently move your baby’s head towards nipple. Do not be forceful; it could put your baby off.

The Rugby (or “Football”) position.

Some babies prefer to feed from one side. The best way to deal with this is to use the Ruby position (sometimes called the “Football” position). For example, say your baby likes to only feed on your right side and will not feed from the left breast. Place a pillows (more than one if you need to) on your left side under your arm. Again, check the level of your nipple and your baby’s mouth as we discussed above.

Place your baby on the pillows and lie him or her on their side. Check where your breast is in relation to where your baby is lying. If you have to maneuver your breast to your baby then you will struggle to feed comfortably. This is where a breast feeding pillow can come in handy, or an arrangement of pillows on your lap; whatever works for you to position your baby properly.

Do the same thing as described in the Cradle position, but with the baby on your left side, using your left arm to support your baby’s body and head. Form your breast as described in the Cradle position. This position makes your baby feel like he or she is feeding off your right breast instead of your left.

The lying down position

This position is easy on both sides, and is similar to the other positions. We are going to try feeding off our right side this time. So we are lying on our right side with your baby lying on his or her side so facing you. Adjust your position until your baby is lying where he or she can best reach your breast. Support you baby’s body and head with your right arm. Use your left hand to form your right breast. As with the other two positions, wait until your baby has a wide mouth before offering your breast.

It won’t take long

Before you know it, you’ll be used to using the position or positions that are most comfortable for you and your baby, and you won’t even have to think about what you’re doing. It will come naturally!

Hannah Will 2008 Bumpsnbabies

http://bumpsnbabies.com

http://bumpsnbabies.com/2008/11/baby-feeding/breast-feeding/105/the-three-best-breast-feeding-positions/