Why Breastfeed?

I will stand up right now and say this is my opinion (though most are medical, proven facts) and I wont force my opinion on anyone else. However, this is my blog and hence the place where my opinion is spoken. Sometimes people amaze me with their questions and ignorance on some issues. I know ignorance is a harsh word but I couldn’t think of a better one. People just generally don’t know much about breastfeeding which is really sad since we, as humans, have been doing it forever. I usually ask every pregnant woman I know if she is going to breastfeed and the answers I get are out of this world. One woman told me she couldn’t breastfeed because her mom had breast cancer and she was worried the ‘stress” to her breasts would cause her to get it. I informed her she was mistaken. I have also heard, I cant breastfeed because my nipples are too small, too big, inverted, etc.  Where there is a will, there is usually a way. If you choose to formula feed, go for it. Its every woman’s own choice and don’t let advertisements and pushy nurses change your mind. However, here are some good reasons to breastfeed if you choose to go that path.

Good Reason to Breastfeed: The longer you breastfeed in your lifetime, the less chance you have to have breast cancer.  You can read about it HERE at cancer.gov.

Good Reason to Breastfeed: Its FREEEEEE!!!! We all know I love freebies and breastfeeding is as free as it comes. I have spent a grand total of $49 since I started breastfeeding 10 months ago and I really didn’t need 2 new bras and a tank so I could have spent less. I know women on my baby board who spend anywhere from $50 to $500!!! a month on formula depending on the type their baby needs.

Good Reason to Breastfeed: Also showing my frugal side, breastfed children have shown to be sick less often than other children. They have also been proven to have less allergies later on in life. Even though I was told this by many nurse, doctors, and lactation assistants, here is an article that talks about it as well.

Good Reason to Breastfeed: Breastfed babies are smart. I know that some studies say that its not really the breastmilk that makes them smarter, its the time that breastfeeding moms invest in their children which apparently is more than formula-feeding moms (Disclaimer: I formula fed my 1st child when I had to stop BF’ing around 3 months and I don’t believe I spent any less time on him then). Check out some research on this HERE.

My Reasons for Breastfeeding: I breastfed both my children because I honestly believe that it was the best thing I could ever do for them. Yes, its cheaper but its certainly not easier. I do have my milk with me where ever I go and I don’t have to worry about a bottle or buying anything. But I do have to worry about the stares and rude people who don’t like public breastfeeding. I do have to worry about the fact that my son wont hold a sippy cup because he was never forced to hold a bottle. I do have to worry about the fact that my breasts may never be the same again (they did go back after my first son though). I do have to worry about the fact that I seem to constantly be feeding my younger son which puts me with even less time for my older son which means I have to use cleaning time to play with him (actually not a big con in my opinion )

All those worries? Nothing compared to the beautiful face I see smiling up at me while he is eating and the feeling of a sleepy baby cuddled up to my chest as he drifts off getting the best nutrition he could ever get and also getting a wonderful bond with his mommy. Its the him and I time that I continue to breastfeed for. I get 20-30 minutes of peaceful, alone interaction with my baby and there is nothing in the world better than that.