Have I ever mentioned how much I **LOVE** breastfeeding? Like, truly, deeply love it. It is such an amazing thing to me...That my body, and my body alone has nourished this chunky little piece of heaven! For 5 months...Well, 14 months really, if you include pregnancy.
Besides the bonding, there are SO many health benefits! For both Konnor and I. (A lower risk of ovarian, breast and uterine cancer for me, just to name a few. Studies point to higher IQ's, less illness, and more empathy for Konnor. Again, that is just a few of the health benefits.) And, Oh my gosh! Have you ever taken a good whiff of a breastfed baby?! Seriously, as strange as it sounds, THEY SMELL SOOOO GOOD! (I know the differnece, as I have had 2 basically formula fed, and 1 breastfed.) I ***LOVE*** smelling Konnor.
I don't argue with or judge people who formula feed..Uh..Hello, I did so my self on 2/3 of my children. But I was not as knowlegable about the benefits of breastfeeding, I was always under pressure to give the kids bottles, and had fairly little support the first two times around. This time, I did LOADS of research. Seriously. And I became determined that I would breastfeed this baby, for as long as we are both happy with it. (The benefits of extended nursing are another post!) I feel that the choice between formula and breastmilk isn't a "right or wrong" choice, but a choice about maximizing a child's health and potential! Sure, formula is good, but breastmilk has been proven TIME AND AGAIN to be better! (I read that the IQ defecit of a formula fed child is 5 points as compared to a breastfed child. The defecit of a child whose mother did cocaine prenatally is only 3 points!) And, personally, I want what is best for my babies!
Ohhhh, and lets talk convenience...Breastfeeding is the most convenient thing I have done. REALLY! If you do some research, you are really supposed to heat water to 70 degrees before you put formula in it, because formula is not, contrary to popular belief, sterile. YOU have to sterilize it. Not to mention, packing it, carrying it, throwing it out when it goes bad....And the cost...Oh my! Breastmilk is ALWAYS ready, always the right temperature, always suited for my babies need. (Did you know that the make up changes according to time of day, and even for the babies gender?! Breastmilk for boys has a highter fat content!) One of the best parts of breastmilk, It is free...Who doesn't love free stuff?!
Ok, enough about that...I am truly NOT on a soapbox, and believe it is every families choice of how to feed their child, but I wish I had known half of what I know now when I had my other two, as I suffer from a bit of guilt for not feeding them THE BEST!
One more thing, we are THE ONLY mammal that drinks another mammals milk! Just food for thought.
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