Loves...
- the fact that it's the best thing for babies, studies have shown that breastfed babies are less likely to get sick, become constipated, lower chances of SIDS, not to mention it is mother natures own cocktail of nutrient for the baby.
- bonding time, I have to admit the idea of a baby sucking on my breasts was not exactly high on my to do list in life BEFORE I gave birth. Even before R popped out I thought it was...icky, but the first time my little baby latched on it was as if an invisible line was drawn that would forever connect us as mother and son. It's an incredible feeling to know that for just those few moments, I, myself am enough to provide everything that this little precious baby need. It's not often in life that we get to feel this way, so my advice is, if you can, do it, as much and as often as you can because these moments are short and passes quickly.
- it's cheap! No doubt that feeding breast milk which costs you nothing is a refreshing welcome to the depleting effects a baby will have on you savings account.
- it's quick! While a baby may take a few weeks to get on completely acquainted with your breast, once he/she does they become very good at nursing. There's no need to wash and sterilize bottles and not to mention calculating how much a baby drank or should drink because breast feeding is baby led, they will let you know when they've had enough.
Hates...
- the beginning of breastfeeding is truly a time to test your patience, endurance and pain threshold. Your body just went through a battle to get the baby out, regardless of whether it's a natural or cesarean birth you are still reviving from a pretty traumatic event and unlike what movies or television shows have suggested, breastfeeding DOESN'T come natural to everyone. The baby doesn't know how to suck efficiently, you have no idea whether he's drinking or not and in the mean time your nipples are cracked and bruised and bleeding. It's no wonder so many women give u breastfeeding in the beginning because it's. So. Darn. Hard! For me personally it took a good month and a half to start not hating it and I know it differs for every person but I would say at least a month of hating it would be expected at the very least.
- the restrictions that comes with breastfeeding is something that people might have different opinion over. Personally I'm distraught every time I am reminded that I cannot have a coffee for the remainder of my breastfeeding time, but others might feel indifferent towards their daily caffein shots. To explain caffein and alcohol are not recommended for breastfeeding mums for fears that it
Conclusion
As with most things in life there are pros and cons with doing or not doing them, but at the end of the day, it's important to realize there is no right fit for anyone.
There might be days when you are so sick of nursing that you just want to give up and switch to formula, and other days when you are so happy that you stuck by it, but whatever happens give yourself a round of applause for hanging on till now.
Breastfeeding is a wonderful experience for those who are blessed with a good supply to begin with, but I know that it can also be very stressful an unpleasant for those who have a short supply. If you find that you are with a low supply, there is no need to feel guilty about feeding formula, most formula available commercially have superb nutritional value and meet the needs of your baby. It is important to know that a happy baby must have a happy mother!
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