World Breastfeeding Week 2008

World Breastfeeding Week 2008 has arrived with a very timely theme, “Mother Support: Going for the Gold”. With the start of the 2008 Summer Olympics only 4 days away, this years theme has me picturing a new Olympic category – breastfeeding on the move. It would involve women running track with baby securely in tow in the latest baby sling or pouch from places like rockinbabysling.com or modestmums.com. I mean if women can participate in a high heel marathon, why not breastfeeding on the move?

This celebration week always makes me reminisce about my own experience with breastfeeding. It was scary to look down and see that I had one breast that appeared to be twice the size of my baby’s head, and the other was half the size. What the heck was I doing wrong? I was allowing her to choose her favorite, the one that had the most milk flowing, far too often. I eventually learned how to fix that problem – pump and rotate.

I happen to have a lactation consultant in the family who provided the most valuable info of all – the secret of the cabbage leaves. Just when I was about to give up due to the pain of engorgement, she instructed me to break out the cold cabbage leaves. What a relief! Now, when I’m in the hospital and have the rare occasion to provide some sort of diet education to a new mom to be, I ask if they plan to breastfeed. If they do, I share that gem of info with them.

There are too many benefits and joys of breastfeeding to name, but I can discuss a few of my favorites. Breastfeeding is the greatest free meal plan ever created. To me, that alone should be enough to want to take advantage of it. Not to mention, no heating or bottle washing necessary, no trekking to the kitchen in the middle of the night, and all the antibodies your baby needs right there at your disposal. Let's also not forget the fabulous boobage that only a breastfeeding mom can sport. And of course the personal bond that you share with that beautiful little person who can look up at you like no one else on earth can, as they dig their sharp little nails into your flesh and eventually start to look away while gripping your poor nipple making you scream in pain. It’s just one more wonderful perk of being a mom.

For more info on breastfeeding, my favorites include:
http://www.lllusa.org
http://www.mommytoo.com/blackbreastfeeding.htm
http://www.worldbreastfeedingweek.org

Happy feeding!