Are You Prepared to Breastfeed?

There is no doubt about it, when it comes to giving your baby the best possible start, breast feeding is the way to go.

There are seemingly countless benefits for both mother and baby that come along with breastfeeding. Studies show that breast fed babies have a lower instance of illness and childhood obesity in comparison with formula fed babies.

Studies also showed that women who breastfeed are less likely to develop breast cancer and ovarian cancer.

There are, however, many things that a woman should consider before making the decision to breastfeed their child.

For one thing, a woman needs to understand that breastfeeding a baby is a huge commitment. A newborn can eat as often as every two hours and take up to an hour to feed. This means that a new mom may get only one hour between feedings to eat, clean, shower or tend to anything else she needs to do.

Breastfed babies also go through a period of time at about three weeks old where they want to feed almost constantly. This frequent feeding period repeats itself at about six weeks, three months and again around six months.

Doctors are not quite sure why breast fed babies go through these frequent eating periods, but they believe that it may have to do with increasing the breast's milk production.

Many mothers are unaware of these frequent eating periods and, fearing that they are not producing enough breast milk to satisfy their baby, these mothers will begin to supplement their breastfeeding with formula bottles. This can spell disaster for a breastfeeding mother.

It is important to stick it out with your baby and only breastfeed during these times. Even if medical science can not pin point it, there is a reason that breastfed babies go through this frequent eating period, and breastfeeding mothers need to trust in their body's ability to properly nourish their baby.

It is important to note that breastfed babies need to eat more frequently than formula fed babies because breast milk to easier to digest than formula. So don't be discouraged when your friends tell you that their formula fed baby sleeps for four hours at a time and your baby sleeps for only two hours.

This goes for nighttime feedings as well. A breastfed baby will eventually spread out their feedings, but it may take months to work up to a four hour break between nighttime feedings.

In addition to the near constant feedings and the severe lack of sleep, a woman considering breastfeeding should think about the physical pain that can come with breastfeeding.

When you first give birth, your milk has not yet "come in." In the beginning the breast produce a yellowish fluid called colostrum. Low in fat but high in carbohydrates, protein and antibodies, colostrums is very easy to digest and is considered the ideal first food for your baby.

However, the breast does not produce a large amount of colostrum and so your baby may want to feed a lot. This eager and frequent feeding can lead to cracked and bleeding nipples.

Because you will continue to have suction applied to your nipples every couple of hours around the clock, it may take weeks for your nipples to fully heal.

Another physical discomfort can occur when you are away from your baby for too long. Every woman goes through what is called "engorgement" after the birth of a baby. Engorgement is what happens after your milk "comes in" and it fills your breasts to the point that they become hard and sore. For women who opt not to breastfeed this discomfort passes after a few days when their bodies stop producing milk. For women who decide to breastfeed, engorgement can happen over and over if they miss feedings, although it is of afar lesser caliber.

For women who decide to breastfeed and work at the same time, the breast pump is essential. It is important, however, to be realistic. If you plan to go back to work and still breastfeed, you will need to be able to take at least a 15 minute break every two hours to pump your breasts. A breastfeeding mother needs to make arrangements with her employer to allow for these breaks or her milk supply will begin to dwindle and soon she will be unable to continue breastfeeding.

Many new mothers find that when it comes to breastfeeding, everyone has an opinion, but the choice of whether or not to breastfeed is a very personal one and should be made by the well-informed parents of a baby, and no one else

The bottom line is this, breastfeeding is a lot of hard work and commitment, but the benefits to both you and your baby are potential life saving.