Tip of the Week - Breastfeeding Benefits

This is World Breastfeeding Week and I wanted to give some encouragement to those moms that are considering breastfeeding or are in the midst of it. 

I breastfed my 4 children at least 18 months and up to 20 months before they weaned themselves.

My Tip about breastfeeding is this - if you are at the 3 month mark with your baby, you will see an increase in feedings (almost as bad as a newborn eating every 2 hours) and will wonder if you may not have enough milk and need to supplement or go strait to a bottle.

The strait answer...NO! Your baby is going through a growing spurt and needs extra nourishment. Don't give up on your superpower:) You make milk for that baby that will help him/her and you in so many ways. 

So my advice, stick with it. The feedings will level out in a few weeks or less, and you will be glad that you continued breastfeeding your infant.

If you have any questions, please feel free to ask!

Here is an article from AskDrSears.com:

BREASTFEEDING BENEFITS FROM TOP TO BOTTOM

Breastfeeding is good for every part of baby's body--from the brain to the diaper area. Here's a list:

• Brain. Higher IQ in breastfed children. Cholesterol and other types of fat in human milk support the growth of nerve tissue.
• Eyes. Visual acuity is higher in babies fed human milk.
• Ears. Breastfed babies get fewer ear infections.
• Mouth. Less need for orthodontics in children breastfed more than a year. Improved muscle development of face from suckling at the breast. Subtle changes in the taste of human milk prepare babies to accept a variety of solid foods.
• Throat. Children who are breastfed are less likely to require tonsillectomies.
• Respiratory system. Evidence shows that breastfed babies have fewer and less severe upper respiratory infections, less wheezing, less pneumonia and less influenza.
• Heart and circulatory system. Evidence suggests that breastfed children may have lower cholesterol as adults. Heart rates are lower in breastfed infants.
• Digestive system. Less diarrhea, fewer gastrointestinal infections in babies who are breastfeeding. Six months or more of exclusive breastfeeding reduces risk of food allergies. Also, less risk of Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis in adulthood.
• Immune system. Breastfed babies respond better to vaccinations. Human milk helps to mature baby's own immune system. Breastfeeding decreases the risk of childhood cancer.
• Endocrine system. Reduced risk of getting diabetes.
• Kidneys. With less salt and less protein, human milk is easier on a baby's kidneys.
• Appendix. Children with acute appendicitis are less likely to have been breastfed.
• Urinary tract. Fewer infections in breastfed infants.
• Joints and muscles. Juvenile rheumatoid arthritis is less common in children who were breastfed.
• Skin. Less allergic eczema in breastfed infants.
• Growth. Breastfed babies are leaner at one year of age and less likely to be obese later in life.
• Bowels. Less constipation. Stools of breastfed babies have a less-offensive odor. 

And more seriously, breast feeding protects mothers and their children from cancer! Says the American Institute for Cancer Research HERE.

"Experts at the American Institute for Cancer Research (AICR) recommend that new mothers breastfeed their children for at least the first six months. They cite convincing evidence that this practice offers cancer protection to both mother and child.

According to AICR, new mothers can directly lower their own risk of both pre- and post-menopausal breast cancer by breastfeeding. And children who are breastfed are less likely to become overweight or obese, which in turn lowers their risk of several common cancers that have now been convincingly linked to excess body fat."

WOW! What an amazing gift that God has given women in breastfeeding their babies:)

I have a sister site called Coupon Makeover - Do you Love FREE groceries?
I have included a list of Breastfeeding Freebies...so go check it out HERE!

I also found this on Raising Olives - visit uddercovers.com today or tomorrow, pick out the cover (or gift set)  of your choice and type breastfeeding into the promo code box.  It will take $32 off of your order total, so all you pay is $9.95 shipping.
If you’re not currently breastfeeding this would make a nice baby shower gift.  Hurry, because some of the fabrics are already back ordered.


p.s. I found great t-shirts with the milk/superpower logo all over the web - my favorite is from Cafe Press HERE.