Breastfeeding
Breastfeeding your baby is best. No one can argue the fact that feeding your baby any other way than breast feeding is better. With that said, some moms cannot or will not breast feed, and that is OK. Formula feeding is a great substitute for breast milk. However, to breastfeed your baby is natural and is healthy for mother and child.
Breastfeeding helps reduce colic in babies, and aids in brain development. Breastfeeding mothers reap the benefits of special relaxing hormones called prolactin. Breastfeeding is also proven to reduce a mother’s risk of breast cancer.
Learning How To Breastfeed
Any nursing mom will tell you that breastfeeding is hard work. Learning how to breastfeed does not come naturally for most new moms. It is a good idea to have an experienced lactation consultant lined up before your baby is even born. A lactation consultant will give you tips on how to breastfeed, and will help you learn how to position your baby on the breast and how to get your baby to latch correctly. Your lactation consultant will also help you with breastfeeding supplies such as nipple shields and breast pads.
If you are having breast feeding problems, do not give up. Call your doctor, pediatrician or lactation consultant right away. They can often offer you help in fixing the problem. Some of the more common breastfeeding problems are clogged ducts, mastitis and supply issues.
Some websites also are a great help if you are having problems breastfeeding. Websites like kellymom.com offer breast feeding videos to show you the proper way to breastfeed.
Breast Feeding In Public
Most states have laws that explicitly defend the right of breastfeeding in public. Most of these laws state that a breastfeeding mom has the right to breast feed her baby any place that she is otherwise authorized to be. If your state does not have such a law, lobby your congressperson and tell him or her that you support laws promoting breast feeding in public.
Some people are not comfortable looking at breastfeeding moms. It is a courtesy to others to keep breastfeeding discreet in public, but don’t be shy about nursing in public. It is important to raise awareness for the naturalness of breastfeeding by nursing openly and unashamedly.
Even some staunch breastfeeding advocates are not sure how they feel about extended breastfeeding. Extended breastfeeding is nursing your baby after she is one year old. Some moms believe that babies should wean themselves, and do not do anything to discourage breastfeeding from older infants. How old is too old to breastfeed is a debate that there is no right answer to. It is a personal choice between a mother and a child.
Breastfeeding Art
Breastfeeding photography is very beautiful. It raises awareness for breastfeeding and is a beautiful depiction of the bond between mother and child that comes from breastfeeding. You can look at breastfeeding pictures online. Many pro nursing websites display breastfeeding photos to show the beauty of breastfeeding. Some websites even have a breastfeeding gallery where you can go to get breastfeeding pictures to use to promote breastfeeding for free.
