Open Mouth, Insert....

Boob.

First, this blog is about breastfeeding.  Consider yourself warned.

Second, this blog is in no way intended to make anyone feel guilty about not being able to breastfeed.  I know firsthand how difficult it can be, and not everyone has an amazing lactation consultant for a mother-in-law like I do!  If anything, this is just to be an encouragement for those that are considering it or are trying desperately to stick with it. 

I guess I'm thinking about all of this right now because my little barracuda baby is less than two months away from her first birthday.  Remember this?

Those days are far behind us, and now I'm realizing (with some sadness) that I probably won't be nursing much longer.   And it's kind of strange to think about because I've been pregnant or breastfeeding for nearly three and a half years straight.  I'm pretty much a factory.

Here's why breastfeeding has been awesome:
1. It's free 
2. It builds up baby's immunity (Jack has only had one ear infection requiring antibiotics ever...Brooklyn has had none)
3. It's easier for baby to digest
4. It's always available, even in the middle of a blizzard or flood (assuming I'm alive)
5. It requires no prep in the middle of the night
6. It requires no bottles, brushes, formula, water; all I need is a nursing cover (of course, lots of nursing moms do pump and use bottles, etc)
7. It releases the hormone, prolactin, which helps to relax the mother and lower stress (uhhh, THANK YOU, Lord, for prolactin!)
8. It burns more calories (approx 500 per day) and helps with that pesky baby weight
9. It also has possible long-term benefits, such as helping to prevent cancer, diabetes, and other diseases.

Convinced yet?

I know that I have things pretty ideal.....my mother-in-law is an excellent lactation consultant, and I'm a stay-at-home mom (most of the time).  And despite that, it was still a challenge getting each of my babies to nurse well (ok, Brooklyn nursed well but was equivalent to a paper shredder).   All that to say-it has been worth it.

So there ya go.  For me, it was just nice to know that others had struggled through it and survived.  You can too!