Breast Feeding Bliss

I breastfed my boys exclusively for the first six months and then continued on after they started solids for well after their first birthdays. There are a lot of good reasons to breast feed, including health benefits both for baby and mother:

1. Breast Feeding is MUCH CHEAPER than formula. You just have an initial start-up cost for a pump and some supplies.
2. Breast milk is much gentler on little, not fully developed tummies.
3. Liquid Gold- it has immune fighting properties from mom's immunity that NO FORMULA can match.
4. Breast milk is always on-hand- no waiting to warm up than bottle when mommy is around!
5. Helps mom and baby form a special bond.
6. Helps reduce risks of ovarian and breast cancers in mom.
7. Helps lower risk for SIDS, respiratory diseased and other childhood and adult diseases later in life.
http://www.womenshealth.gov/breastfeeding/why-breastfeeding-is-important/index.html

That being said, every mom needs to make the best choice for them, their child and their situation. If you do decide to breast feed here are some tips from a mom who has done it.

1. Take a class, read books and watch some videos before giving birth- will help you understand and have a game plan.
2. Contact a local lactation consultant- ask other moms or your OBGYN for recommendations- you may need help in the beginning and the last thing a frazzled, stressed new mom needs is to be looking for someone to help. Do this before-hand to save you some stress.
3. Breast feed right after delivery- helps form that bond right away.
4. Ask for help! Many hospitals have lactation consultants on staff and the nurses may also be helpful when getting baby to first latch on.
5. Nurse as much as possible right away. Very important to help flush baby's system out and get your milk to come in.
6. After nursing, express some milk on your finger and rub into nipple, let air dry. This will help them from not getting chapped. (think of chapped lips)
7. Always have a glass of water handy for yourself when nursing- you'll be amazed at how parched you will get.
8. Wear COTTON nursing bras.
9. Hot showers are best for clogged milk ducts. Just hop in and knead your breast until milk comes out. Also pumping can help alleviate some milk when clogged.
10.  Buy a Boppy or any other kind of nursing pillow- it really helps!
11. Buy some breast pads to wear when you are out of the house- will save you from embarrassing leaks. And pack an extra shirt for yourself  in the diaper bag when leaving the house (just in case)
12. Buy or borrow and good quality pump. (If borrowing- be sure to use your own breast shields and bottles- don't share! and purchase new tubing)
13. I found when pumping, using the bottles worked better than the bags for suction. I would pump into the bottles and pour into the bags for easy storage.
For more info try http://www.womenshealth.gov/breastfeeding/.

Happy Nursing!