You may or may not know this is world breastfeeding week. You may be surprised that the reccomendation is 2years. Well personally that is too long for me. My goal with both kids was a year. Max we only got to 6months and with more support I think I could have made it a year. Though many people do it tandem nursing non multiples doesn't appeal to me, so Maxim would have been weaned a at year.
One fact about breastmilk that I find fascinating is your babies saliva changes the content of your milk. Basically as your child grows and needs change so does your milk. Also breastmilk is supply and demand. When you are empty your production increases and when you are full it decreases. So when baby is constantly at your breast during a growth spurt constantly "emptying" it is telling your body to make more! Also I use quotes around empty because you are never truly empty. Even though it is almost a month since weaning Maggie I am still producing milk.
It makes me sad that many moms are told they can't. Your milk can take upto 10days for your milk to come in. Before that you are just producing colostrum. This is certainly enough for your newborn. Many moms in the 80s and 90s were told that they couldn't breastfeed and this was probably simply not true for most. Luckily, more and more hospitals are taking formula samples out of delivery rooms. When I was admitted6/ when Maggie was born they were in the bottom of the bassinet and the nurse simply asked if I was planning on breastfeeding and when I said "yes" she removed it. I wish nurses would stop telling new moms "just incase." I feel this just leads to breastfeeding failure.
Though Max was a champ off the bat, it took Maggie 2 weeks to get the hang of breastfeeding. It is nice having a husband who is a good support system and even through those 2 rough weeks was a huge help.
Just because you didn't breastfeed your previous babies doesn't mean you can't breastfeed subsequent babies. Also even if your baby is 3/6/9months old and formula fed you can relactate. It may take 4-6weeks of dry nursing but you can do it.
I know this blog is usually just about family but this is a topic that inspires me.
Liam was a really easy baby to breastfeed, so when we have another I hope we get just as lucky. I think a lot of people don't educate themselves enough so they think that when they're struggling in those first days they think they can't. I do think breastfeeding is making a comeback. At least I hope so!
ReplyDeleteGreat post, Alex. I feel like there's so much misinformation out there about breastfeeding and so many Mom's lack the support necessary to be successful. Like you guys with Max, we were pretty much forced into formula feeding Matthew. Now with Julia I just refuse to give up. She struggled at first too and I was so panicked, but we are making it and I'm so happy.
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