Breastfeeding Thoughts
by Jean Lewis
As a mother of four, I've been breastfeeding on and off for fifteen years. Because of the profound effect breastfeeding has had on my life, on my children's lives, and how it has enhanced my mothering skills, I found myself wanting to help other mothers find this same satisfaction.
Six years ago I became a volunteer breastfeeding counselor. During these last six years, I've spent countless hours reading, and attending conferences both at the state and international levels. I have access to the most recent breastfeeding information out there. Because I wanted to put my knowledge to work to help supplement our family's income, I started my home-based business, The Milky Way, in October of 1998.
When thinking about breastmilk versus artifical milk (AKA formula), please consider the following:
Advantages of Breastfeeding to Baby
- It's easy. The milk is always available to the baby. The mother doesn't have to worry about heating a bottle when her baby is ready to eat.
- It's best for baby. Breastmilk has antibodies in it from the mother that pass to the baby and help protect him against illness and allergies.
- Breastmilk is easily digested. Mothers don't have to worry about their babies being constipated or thirsty, because babies get an adequate amount of water from breastmilk.
- Sucking at the breast helps with good oral development. Breastfed babies have fewer speech impediments. Breastfed babies have good cheekbone development and jaw alignment. Consequently, there is less chance of needing braces and other orthodontial work.
- Breastfeeding has been shown to be protective against many illnesses, including painful ear infections, upper and lower respiratory ailments, allergies, intestinal disorders, colds, viruses, staph, strep and e coli infections, diabetes, juvenile rheumatoid arthritis, many childhood cancers, meningitis, pneumonia, urinary tract infections, salmonella, Sudden Infant Death Syndrome(SIDS) as well as lifetime protection from Crohn's Disease, ulcerative colitis, some lymphomas, insulin dependent diabetes, and for girls, breast and ovarian cancer.
When babies are born, their immune systems are very immature; a breastfeeding mother gives her baby immunities to illnesses to which she is immune and also those to which she has been exposed each and every time she nurses.
The breast is the only place outside the immune system which can synthesize antibodies! This means that if the baby has come in contact with something the mother has not, he will pass these germs to her at the next nursing; during that feeding, the breast will manufacture and deliver antibodies for that particular germ.
By the time the next feeding arrives, the mother's entire immune system is working to provide immunities. If the mother is exposed to any bacteria or viruses, her body will be making antibodies against them and these will be in her milk. It's an awesome system! Research shows your child's immune system will not be fully mature for many years. While it is developing, he will be protected by being breastfed. His own immune system also develops more rapidly than does baby who is fed formula.
Breastfeeding also is good for the mother.
- The baby's sucking at the breast causes uterine contractions right after birth. The contractions lead to less bleeding for the mother, and return the uterus to its pre- pregnancy shape much faster.
- Breastfeeding burns calories. A mother can lose much of her pregnancy weight faster than if she were bottle-feeding her baby.
- Breastfeeding creates a bond between mother and baby, helping the mother learn her baby's cues and signals faster. This makes mothering her baby easier.
- Recent research has shown that having been breastfed substantially decreases a woman's risk for developing premenopausal breast cancer. By breastfeeding, a woman can reduce her risk of premenopausal breast cancer by 20%.
Breastmilk is liquid gold, and it's yours to give!
Because many mothers must be separated from their babies, through returning to paid employment, or for health reasons (prematurity for example), I opened my business. It's not enough to go to a medical supply store and rent a breastpump. Women need help and support from someone with practical knowledge to be successful with pumping and breastfeeding.
Some of the services I offer include
- Renting hospital-grade electric breastpumps (for those working outside the home or those who have any other kind of regular on-going separation from their baby, including medical conditions for which baby is hospitalized for such as prematurity or jaundice).
- Breastpumps for sale. I have a pump for every price range and every need (working away from baby, as well as pumps for intermittent use). My most popular item is Medela's Pump In Style Professional Breastpump -- and I sell it for the lowest price the company will allow.
- Specialty feeding devices designed for supplementing without the danger of introducing artificial nipples, which generally exacerbate breastfeedng problems.
- Miscellaneous items that make breastfeeding easier, such as washable bra pads, Collection/Storage/Freezer Bags, and replacement parts for breastpumps.
- Quality nursing bras. My bras are 100% cotton and come in a variety of sizes, including extended sizes (now those are hard to find). I carry sizes 32B through 46H. They are also designed to accommodate an attachment kit, that, used with a breastpump, allows hands-free pumping!
I welcome mail orders, and I'm happy to send out my brochures. I accept for payment the use of Mastercard/Visa, personal check or money order. You can reach me at lewis@netins.net or by phone at 515-791-1664.
Breastfeeding is the natural, physiologic way of feeding infants and young children milk, and human milk is the milk made specifically for human infants. Formulas made from cow’s milk or soy beans (most of them) are only superficially similar, and advertising which states otherwise is misleading. Breastfeeding should be easy and trouble free for most mothers. If you are returning to work, breastfeeding is even more valuable to the health and well-being of you and your baby. I can help you make that easier with the use of quality products -- not dime store material. Remember -- you get what you pay for!
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