Felicie's Blog

My friend is considering giving up breastfeeding. She asked me the other day why I keep going and I found myself completely unprepared to answer. I think I mumbled something about it being the “best thing” for baby, but my answer sounded lame and in no way expressed the real reasons I keep breastfeeding. It wasn’t until later that I thought about what my answer should have been…

“I keep breastfeeding because it is what my baby deserves.”

My baby is a human baby who deserves human milk. Sure you might look around your local playgroup and see a whole bunch of happy, healthy formula fed babies, but the way I see it, it’s all part of the risk management of parenthood. I didn’t drink while I was pregnant so that I would avoid the chance of my babies having fetal alcohol syndrome. I put my babies to sleep on their backs to lessen the risk of SIDS. I don’t let my three year old run around with grapes in her mouth because she might choke. I know full well that she may not choke and I’m pretty sure that I could put my babies down on their tummies like they did for generations and they would be fine, but I don’t do it because it is risky.

“I keep breastfeeding because it is what I deserve.”

Breastfeeding makes mothering a cranky baby or toddler easier, it makes comforting a sick child a breeze, and it provides a sense of accomplishment that no university degree or big salary can compete with. I once nursed a hysterical, injured toddler to sleep in the emergency room as I watched other moms walk their children around in a futile effort to comfort them. I’ve been so sick that all I can do is lie in bed and breastfeed, knowing that by doing so I am comforting my child and ensuring that my body is fighting the germs off for both of us.

If you need more reasons to continue (or start) breastfeeding check out :

http://www.notmilk.com/101.html

Cheers!