Breastfeeding

Hello everyone,
       As I am working to get back into the groove of blogging. I figured I would start with something that I could talk about for hours....literally, I could bore you for hours if you had the time...however, I will try to keep it short and interesting for your sake.

Breastfeeding is something that I put a lot of thought into. I knew that if I wasn't 100% committed to it, I would fail. So I researched the crap out of it. Here are some things I found:

10 benefits for mothers who choose to breastfeed:

1. Mothers who breastfeed are less likely to develop breast cancer
2. are likely to return to their pre-pregnancy weight more quickly
3. breastfeeding produces a hormone which helps bonding with baby and promotes relaxation.
4. saves money (Formula here is around $20/can)
5. no need to pack a bottle
6. can be provided on-demand (in most cases)
7. reduces risk of postpartum depression
8.  allows for quiet time with baby
9. less likely to develop osteoporosis
10.  less likely to develop heart disease, diabetes, and high cholesterol

10 benefits for breastfed babies:

1.  Provides all nutrients baby needs (aside from vitamin D)
2. Protects baby from illness by passing live white blood cells to the baby.
3. Less likely to develop food allergies
4. Promotes healthy brain development
5. Less likely to develop asthma or respiratory infections.
6. Provides the exact amount of food the baby needs when fed on-demand.
7.  Most easily digested form of nutrients.
8. Colostrum (the first milk breasts produce) acts as a laxative to help baby pass their first stool.
9. Less likely to become overweight
10. Satisfies emotional needs.

Things you might not know about breastfeeding/breastmilk:

• Breast milk has foremilk and hindmilk. Foremilk is the first part of milk released during a feeding and has less fat and is the "thirst quencher". Hindmilk is the fatty nutrient filled milk that collects in the breast and  is expressed as the breast empties. 
• Breast milk has 2 types of fat; whey and casein.
• Breast milk produces less waste (poop) than other forms of food.
• The only other milk that is even close to as nutritious for humans is coconut milk. 
• A study showed that breast milk left in the fridge for 2 days had less bacteria than when it was first expressed (proving it's anti-bacterial abilities)
• Average breastfeeding time is 16 minutes
• Most women produce more milk in their right breast.
• Let down usually occurs within 56 seconds of feeding (let down is when the milk is released through the nipple)
• Breastfed babies feed until they are full; which isn't always when the breast is empty. Most often a baby only empties 67% of the breast.
• Breast pumps are becoming more efficient by more closely mimicking a baby's feeding.
• Your nipples have more than one hole.
• 73% of breastfeeding mothers get outside help for breastfeeding.
• The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends nothing aside from breast milk for the first six months after birth.

Tips for breastfeeding:

• ASK FOR HELP
• Ask your hospital if they have a lactation consultant or a nurse that's a pro.
• Ask your "silly" questions; most often they aren't silly.
• Ask your husband for his support and to get you things when they are out of reach.
• DON'T BE SHY
• Whip that boobie out when your baby is hungry. 
• Ask for help
• Expect it to be rough the first couple weeks; commit to it. It does get easier.
• Buy lanolin and soothies for the hospital bag.
• Have a few different styles of nursing bras so you can find your favorite.
• Don't spend too much money on nursing shirts; you will find ways to make regular clothes work.
• Research feeding positions and try each one until you have one that works best for you.
• To encourage let-down while pumping, imagine your baby's face (or hearing your baby cry) and pump in a quiet room.
• Relax. It is stressful at first, but if you consciously think to relax, it become easier.
• If you want to breastfeed, it is most likely to happen if you exclusively breastfeed.
• Always have spare breast pads 
• Although it is the most natural thing ever, that doesn't mean it's going to be the easiest thing ever.
•  Make sure your baby is properly latched (covering a majority of your nipple).
• Break the latch if it is ever painful by inserting your pinky finger into your child's mouth.

I will post tomorrow about my experience breastfeeding. If you have breastfed, please tell me an experience you had or a tip. If you haven't, please post a question

I'm excited to share my knowledge and learn more...or even hear a funny story. ;)