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Jan 31 '00
Breastfeeding is a subject that is dear to my heart. Both of my children were breastfed, the youngest till he was nearly 2 years old. I had never seen anyone breastfeed a child before I had mine, but, I learned quickly. My baby taught me how!
The ob/gyn explained to me all the benefits of breastfeeding. Both my children were born in military hospitals, so I had access to somewhat better medical care than many, and to more support. My oldest son latched on and began nursing with no problems. I took great pride in the fact that he wasn't sick nearly as often as the other kids we knew. I thought that nursing was the only reason for this.
Like all great theories, this one was disproved. My second son was born in the same hospital, delivered c-section (as was my first), by the same doctor. He aspirated amniotic fluid, which means he took his first breath before he was lifted out of the womb. This caused him to have viral pneumonia. He also had air trapped between his lung and his chest wall, known as a pneumo-thorax. This was a scary situation, as you can imagine.
He was placed in neo-natal icu, and I had to get a breast pump to provide him with milk, since he couldn't nurse. He would turn blue every time he tried. The doctors were very good about making sure he only got my milk, but, the nurses were a bit more laid back about it. I had to actually yell at one to make sure he didn't get formula after she decided to 'dispose' of my milk because it wasn't 'rich enough' for her.
This nurse did not realize that true breast milk is less thick than cow's milk, and, also, that the 'milk' doesn't come in for several days since your body is making the perfect transition food for the baby from womb to the real world.
Son number two, needless to say, didn't have quite the same instinct for nursing that number one had. He didn't know how to nurse, and, everything I tried seemed to make me sorer and him more frustrated. Finally, I called La Leche League. With the judicious application of some lanolin, we were soon on the road to health.
Several months later, my totally breast fed son developed a respiratory infection and began having ear infections constantly. He took tons of antibiotics, had tubes put in his ears and his adenoids removed. He also suffered from croup and seemed not to hear well. (Later, we found out this was due to excess wax-production!) I desperately went to the pediatrician and asked if my milk was causing these problems... Her answer? "No, can you imagine what kind of sicknesses he'd have without your immune system boosting his?" This gave me tremendous relief.
Son number two nursed till he was nearly 2 years old. He does have ADHD, but, this is not due to nursing. It is very common for children who have respiratory problems at birth, followed by asthma, to develop ADHD. He is, however, drug-free, and doing quite well.
The whole point of this opinion is to let everyone know that breast-feeding is not a magic bullet that guarantees immunity to your children from every health problem. However, nursing your baby does have a host of benefits... Increased immunity for the first few months of life, stronger bonding for both mother and child, faster and better brain development for the baby, due to the higher levels of brain building proteins found in mother's milk. These proteins have never been duplicated with any other kind of milk, possibly because cows, goats and other animals don't produce the specific chemicals found to optimize HUMAN brain development.
Nursing also provides mother and child with a free, readily available source of nutrition and comfort at any time. My children would come to be nursed when they were tired, they always slept. They would ask to nurse when they were hungry or thirsty. I could always guarantee that my child felt loved, both by being held and by being fed at the same time. I never believed in propping a baby with a bottle, but, I can't tell you how many times I have laid on the bed and cat-napped with my children as they nursed.
The fact that nursing demands your presence in the flesh is good for mother and baby. In today's fast-paced world, it is all too easy to go, go, go till we've missed our children growing up. Nursing your baby makes you stop and appreciate the best things in life... your children.
The only downside to nursing I have ever found is this, if the child does not latch on properly, you will have sore nipples. This is easily taken care of with a bit of lanolin. I recommend contacting the La Leche League or your local hospital if you have sore nipples.
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Epinions.com ID:
Melissa_M
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Location: Fort Pierce, FL
Reviews written: 81
Trusted by: 65 members
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