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"Teaching God's Design for the Breast"
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What do you think?
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The following comments are from various visitors to www.007b.com, and may or may not agree with the viewpoints presented on this website. The comments are posted here because they might further help and encourage men and women who visit this website; however 007 Breasts is not responsible for this content or any loss/damage caused by reading these.
For US Residents Only
I was very thankful for this website. When my middle daughter was released from the hospital I was forced to take a can of formula home even though I was breastfeeding and had no desire to use it. I was told it was hospital policy and they couldn't let the baby leave without some sort of "food source." I was breastfeeding, why wasn't that good enough? Regardless of their "good" intentions, the can of formula was never use. Unfortunately, I did not breastfeed my oldest daughter for more than four months because I was young and felt the pressures of the American culture and work make me feel uncomfortatble doing it. My youngest daughter was born in Asia and it was a wonderful experience because I did not feel stupid for breastfeeding her and did not have to leave the hospital with a can for formula at all. I said, "I'm breastfeeding." And they said okay. No questions asked. No being made to feel guilty. Now that I'm older and in a relationship with a guy who is Asian, it boggles his mind to think that Americans put so much sexual emphasis on breasts and he doesn't understand why. To him, breasts are for feeding children. It is a very refreshing point of view.
Diane
The majority of the Breast feeding advocates fail to address the real issues with breastfeeding failure. It's about treating young mothers with dignity and respect for what they are doing. Breastfeeding is difficult for most women in America, no two ways about it.. both physically and mentally. The days of extended families, where we learned nursing skills from our mothers and aunts, with constant support,are history. An extended family structure, were there were enough incomes coming in to absorb the loss of money while the mother stayed home to nurse are history. Today's grandparents bottle fed their infants, and are now in Florida, in a retirement community, not passing on their parenting skills and not relating to the need for breast feeding our young. Nowadays it takes 2 incomes just to pay the mortgage because TV ads tell us how we should be living and we strive for that standard. It's not about extras or shopping binges... it's about trying to be super mom because the man in the family can no longer provide on his own, nor feels he should have to. That is, if the man is still even in the family. Now lets add the pain and discomfort of breastfeeding, that I notice you devoted all of 4 sentences to with a summation that amounted to...it will pass. That is not always the case, as so many women will attest to. An already stressed woman, who worked up until the last week of pregnancy, because that is what was expected and allowed in the blue collar American work force, gives birth (and is sent home in 12- 48 hours), and is now expected to jump right in to breast feed like a natural, on demand, every two hours for the next few weeks, with nipples raw, her tears dropping down onto her infant, as she tries to do what everyone says should be natural and feels a failure, until she goes back to work because the money is sorely needed, pumps in the restroom at breaks and lunch, and comes home, lovingly nurses the little one until he's two... and do it all over again as the second comes along. Yep, women never had it so good. We all know what's the best for the baby, but until we address and correct what is best for the mother in our society, the breasfeeding statistics are going to be less than satisfactory. You can make women feel as quilty as you want, but what will happen is, one class of society, who really care, will decline in their birth rate, because they can't meet the expectations, while another class of society, you has no interest in meeting your expectations, will bottle feed and keep on producing another society who does just the same. It's time for people to have realistic expectations of women. Ever hear of the term "baby steps"? It's time for the breast feeding advocates to try it... get off the all or nothing earth mamma approach, and you will have more followers.
As to who I am. I am an American expat, living in Switzerland, nursing my first born, with 16 weeks of 80% paid leave from my employment to assure that I will do just that. The government has provided me with lactation consultants and tagmutters who come to my home to check on the health of my infant and on call to me each day for my questions on breastfeeding. My stay in the hospital after my daughter's birth was 5 days, with constant support from lactation consultants, complete with laser treatments for sore nipples. There is no question of not breastfeeding. It's expected of everyone to some extent. My hospital stay was one with the goal of getting me as physically prepared as possible to care for my infant when I got home... complete with exercise counselors. My care was not dictated by an insurance company, but by my own personal doctor, who was required by the rules of the hospital, to visit me daily. The Swiss saw the change in the structure of the family unit and worked with it, and addressed the needs of both the mother and the infant... and America needs to get their act together and do the same.
Alicia
I'm 16 and breastfeeding my 8 month old daughter. Breastfeeding is amazing. It's so hard to explain to expectant mothers how wonderful it is to nurse your child and how awesome it is for them. NO formula can amount to breastmilk, and nothing can amount to the love and bonding between my baby and me. I'm so glad I decided to breastfeed. I found this website when I was feeling self concious about my breasts because they had begun to change after I had given birth. And I'm glad I did. You all have given me the confidence to continue nursing. Most of my family and friends think I'm crazy for breastfeeding but that really shows their ignorance. That is what they are there for and I dont think my daughter and I would be so close if I didnt nurse her. Thanks
lauren
Excellent page. I am 45 and my toddler will be three July 3rd. He still nurses in the morning, nap time, bed time and some occasions in between. We returned to the states from the UK when he was 14 months old. At his first visit with his new pediatrician (16 months old) she was borderline rude about him still nursing. It was quite an uncofortable situation to be in. I stood my ground but found her attitude quite disturbing. I will make it a point at his next visit to provide her (the pediatrician) with a copy of the AAP's policy Breatsfeeding and the use of Human Milk. Thank you for the information provided in your web pages.
Sincerely,
elise stewart
This web-site is wonderful! I plan to encourage my mother and in-laws to read it. I have two children ages one and three. They are twenty-two months apart. My son nursed for sixteen months and did not ween until I was three months pregnant. I was prepared to nurse him for as long as he wanted no matter what. My in-laws thought I should ween him when he cut his first tooth! My mother on the other hand was a bit more supportive, although she is embrassed by my nursing in public. My husband, my rock, he is my biggest supporter of all. He says to **** with all of them! We do what is best for our family and nothing beats nursing. Once again thank you for the information on this site. It really helps to keep me focused on the well-being of my nursing child and not the uneasiness of others towards breastfeeding.
MichelleHi, I have three children. I have nursed all three for at least a year; and one was nursed for 18 months. I would have liked to nurse the middle child longer than 18 months because she was ill; and breast milk is supposed to be an almost "magical formula," helping build immunity, etc. However, I stopped nursing because nobody in my family nursed; and everyone made fun of me for nursing for so long. My youngest is now 2 1/2 and I miss the connection that one feels when breastfeeding. It is amazing to me that a woman's body is able to "grow" another human being that started from 2 cells. And then that same woman's body is able to support her child. I was always amazed and proud when I would see my babies growing into healthy toddlers and that the reason they were growing and gaining weight was because I was supporting all their needs. I think it is a wonderful thing. But, since I have breastfed three children for so long, and since I am 36 years old, I have felt discouraged by my sagging breasts. I was glad to see the breast site where women showed their breasts. I have learned that mine aren't all that bad...they are actually pretty nice, especially when you consider all that they have accomplished.
Jill
I think that most of this taboo making of breasts and breastfeeding comes from the big companies that makes the bottles and formulas used instead the more people they can get to bottle feed their babies the more money they get. I personally dont see anything indecent in any mommy breastfeeding her baby at all. After all that's why females lactate. If the breasts werent created for that purpose they wouldnt produce milk.
dolg
I breastfed my twins exclusively for two months and then supplemented with the brestfeedings with formula until they were 4 months old. I think anyone can nurse and they need to "suck" it up and realize why women have breasts... they are there to feed our babies!!!!!!! The American public needs to get over it's taboo issues with women feeding their children on demand!!!!
Hannah
I love this site and I am so glad it is out there. I did not feed my daughter because I felt weird because breasts were so sexual. Now that I had my 2nd and last child I am breast feeding and sad that I didn't with my daughter. I too had a dr. that told me he was too old to still be nursing at 9 months because he had teeth and "what are teeth for?" he asked me sarcastically. I stopped going to him. Anyway, I keep it a secret from my new dr as well just to avoid that. My son is 3 1/2 and nurses as soon as I get home from work and at night. I enjoy our quiet time of just him and I. My husband is making a fuss to hurry and wean him because it is "disgusting" that he still nurses. We are confined to the bedroom for this. I am going to make him read everything in this site twice so he can see that I am not weird and that our son will stop when he is ready not before like I decided when I first decided to breast feed.
Kim
How about when a woman gets pregnant again after a couple of months and her breastmilk dries up? It happened to me when my baby was 5 months old. At 6 months I had to start giving him formula. And luckily he loves solids.
Dutch Mommy in US
Hi, I am a 18 year old mother who choose to breastfeed my daughter. We had a rough start, she came into this world 6 weeks earlier then was expected when I got hit by a car crossing the street.(I was in the crosswalk may I add) and I would just like to thank you for your website. it encouraged me to continue to breastfeed even thought she was only eating from one breast. I am currently fixing the problem and plan to breastfeed till she is 2. I would also like to let young moms know that its okay to breastfeed, it's the best thing for your little one. It starts out rough and painful, but it gets better as they get older! Don't be afraid or ashamed, its a completely natural thing to do.
Melissa
Wow! What an amazing site! The best thing I got out of all this was to truly appreciate my breastfeeding as a solution to every problem my babies have. I sometimes feel like "Wow, can he ever get enough?" Can't he just go to sleep without my boob?" But now I realize my breast is so comforting to him and it is like a miracle cure to his needs, including hunger, teething, pain, tiredness and more I'm sure. This is so good for me to realize because now I feel more willing to offer my breast in comfort to my baby and to be happy that I have the answer. Thank you very much!
AnnI appreciate and agree with what your website is saying, however I think we need to give a little room for mothers to think independently and make the best decisions for themselves. I fortunatly was encouraged to breastfeed and did so until just recently. My daughter is 11 months old and weaned herself. I have mixed emotions, it is bitter sweet. I loves the bonding experience I had with my daughter. I honestly say I was a hands on mother and was always there for her whenever she needed me. But with all that being said I struggled at times breastfeeding. I had one problem breast that would get clogged ducts and engorge frequently. Also living in California I never say anyone breastfeed in public. I was always very uncomfortable and aware of others observing me. I felt like a freak and abnormal. I just wish I wouldn't felt so alone in the process. Additionally, I wish that people wouldn't over simplify breastfeeding. It can be challenging, paingful, embarassing and uncomfortable for the length you decide to breastfeed. Why is it so black and white? There is a lot of grey. Breastfeed as long as you can, get through the first few weeks, but ultimatly, love your baby and nurture your baby and dont worrie about the other stuff.
sydney
I am a nursing mother of an 18 month old. I am sadden at the thought to fully wean and my baby is not ready either. He easily takes a cup throughout the day but there comes a point where nothing but the breast will do. He laughs, smiles, and squeals in delight as he climbs into my lap and assumes nursing position. He does this no more than twice a day and only when we are at home. My family and friends were supportive of my breastfeeding for the first year but now everyone says "When are you going to stop nursing that boy?" It is turning me into a closet nurser because I am becoming embarassed to be nursing a child of his age!
JoTry How to handle breastfeeding criticism from Kellymom.com.
This entire debate of weaning your child is silly. First of all, the decision is betwean the mother and the nursing child. Secondly, breasts are not sexual organs and top frontal nudity on women should not be considered any more provactive than it would on men. And thirdly, it has been scientifically proven that human female breast milk provides far more benifits than cow milk, and is more benificial the longer a child feeds. In my opinion women should be allowed to feed their child as long as they want, no restrictions! If you want to feed your child untill he/she is 7, good for you! If you want to wean them at age 1, fine, but don't try to impose your veiws on the extended breastfeeding community.
Rebecca
Please remember that there are some babies who never latch correctly. I went to 4 lactation consultants with no success. I pump 8 times a day and only get 200-300 ml. So I HAVE TO supplement with formula. I have good support and am very knowledgable regarding how to increase my supply, but my body is just not responding adequately. I get frustrated that so many breastfeeding websites try to make you feel guilty for not breastfeeding exclusively. I even had a male pediatrician try to make me feel guilty without finding out why I pump and use formula. I wish that more websites would educate on the fact that breastfeeding does not work for everyone and sometimes supplementing with formula is inevitable. My son cannot survive on 2 bottles of breastmilk a day. Thanks!
Julie
As a proud small-breasted woman (34A prepregnancy) I appreciate the part of your web site that shows real breasts in all their glorious shapes and sizes! However, I disagree with some of your comments on why women stop breastfeeding, especially the "selfishness" item.
I don't think it's selfish for a woman to make her OWN decision about what she does with her body and mind. Her breasts belong to her, not to the La Leche League or to her husband or to her family of origin or to her physician. SHE gets to decide how long she wants to nurse her baby. I am pro-choice in all things-- reproductive rights and baby-feeding rights.
(I am nursing my two-month old, but I have had many problems--low supply despite using every recommended way to increase it, such as herbs, Reglan, frequent pumping, etc.; blood blisters and blanching of my nipples; shooting pain in my breasts; crease marks on my nipples after constant cluster feedings--even with constant consultation with LLL, our pediatrician, and a certified lactation consultant. I simply MUST supplement with formula, or my daughter will suffer the long-term consequences of dehydration and malnutrition from not getting enough fluid and calories. I am not enjoying the worsening self-doubt and rapidly decreasing self-esteem due to all of the pro-breastfeeding extremists who are out there. Should I feel more and more depressed because somehow I'm not enough of a "natural woman" to be able to feed my own child from my breasts? I will stop breastfeeding completely when my own sanity and personal wholeness is at the breaking point. My baby deserves a mentally healthy mama, not one who feels inadequate and hypercritical of herself.)
Women need to stop judging other women about how they choose to live their lives and nourish their babies. We are all doing the best we can. Can't we all just get along?
Mary
I nurse in public and I dont cover up. Sometimes my shirt falls and covers my breast, and you cant even tell whats going on. Sometimes my son lifts my shirt up and down over my breast and if you cared to look you could catch a glimpse of the top of my breast. Other times I wear a shirt that I can not lift up, and must pull down, meaning that the entire top half of my breast is exposed, and I look like im topless. Sometimes my child fusses, pulls off, plays with, and exposes my nipple.
We nurse at home, in bed. Its comfortable, convienient, and cozy. We nurse on my balcony, twelve stories up, in the sun. We nurse in private, just the two of us, and we chit chat to eachother, some might say we babble nothing, but I know what hes saying. We nurse in restraunts, fast-food and fancy, I've learned the art of balancing a baby on my knee, a plate in one hand, chopsticks in the other. We nurse outside. We lay blankets in the grass and streach and streach and suckle in the sun. We nurse on busses, skytains, seabuses and at bus stops. Sometimes I feel like meals on wheels. We nurse in the food court at the mall, and in the sears photo studio. I nurse in walmart, on benches, or standing up.
I refuse to stay home to breastfeed my child, or to give a bottle when I leave the house. I do not do bathrooms. Would you eat your dinner there? I dont think so. I do not nurse in backrooms, or in my car. I do not utalize the private nursing rooms.
When I feed my child, I am not just nurshing him the best way I know how. I am making a statement. I am a mother, and I will not be hidden. I will not be coverd up, shoved away, hidden in a little room. I am a mother, and I am reinforcing that my breats are maternal, not sexual. I am reinforcing that I am not shameful. I am not disgusting, or strange, or weird. I am telling the world that I will nurse in public, to educate, to nourish, to explain, WE ARE MOTHERS AND WE ARE NOT ASHAMED!
Kaschelle
I am breastfeeding my daughter who is 5 months and I do not supplement with formula....I did when I first started because my son was really sick and in the hostpital but I found that the formula had started messing with my daughter's system. I do know of some people who cannot breast feed and feel very guilty. I agree that some wemon can be what we call selfish when they can breastfeed but chose not to because it gets "hard" But there are the ones who do not produce breast milk. We have to support them and ensure them that they are still good mothers.
Sherry
I was 18 years old when I had my first child,and I was far from knowing the resposibility that motherhood had in store for me. What I did know was that breastfeeding was something that I wanted to try, despite all of the negative comments that my young friends had to offer, and I am so happy that I did not listen to them. I am 27 years old now, have 3 children...2 who breastfed until they were 2 years old and the 3rd one is 9 months old and still breastfeeding. My 2 older children are now 7 and 9 and extremely healthy and smart...(Sometimes a little to smart!!) I try to reccomend breastfeeding to everyone I know, but unfortunatley not all people think it is that great. I guess I should be considered lucky for having such a pleasant experience with my angels!!This site is a great one, keep up the excellent work!
nicole
I have three children, all breast fed until they were ready to leave the breast. At one point, I was sharing my breast between my 2,1/2 year old daughter, and my newborn son. My daughter left the breast on her own, two months befor her third birthday. i belive woman take their children off their breasts too soon. A couple of months arn't enough.
lori
I am achiropractor, and we breastfed/bottle fed our daughter for a whole year. My wife pumped her breasts, and I used the AVENT bottle to feed my daughter (now 7 yrs). My wife stopped nursing our daughter when she started biting and then giggling! She is still a little imp who likes to tease.
The interesting thing was that she took breast or bottle with no fuss! I know this is not always the case, but we never had trouble with her.
My wife's health is not good, so I gladly got up once in the night to do the feedings, allowing her to get extra rest.
My daughter is the tallest in her first grade class at 4'2" and my wife is 5'4" and I am 5'11". Our pediatrician told us she is likely to be 6'0" when fully grown! Don't give up ladies! Breastfeeding is the best thing you can do for your kids!
Dr. Derek A Shuman D.C.
I'm 23, never been pregnant, never breastfed, but I do know that when I have children, I will. I know that in this society, women's breasts are thought of as sexual, I look at my own and try and figure out "Why?" To me, they're just lumps of flesh, fat, and glands that are used to feed babies. I grew up around women that had no problem breastfeeding in public. My young aunt would breast feed in front of myself (I was 7/8 at the time) and my mother without covering up like it was the most natural thing in the world, which it is. My older sister did the same thing around my mother and myself when I was a lot older also without covering up. I've even been around the wife of one of my friends when she was nursing and she would do it with a room full of people, all she did was throw a rag over her and the baby and all would be fine. And most of the people in the room were males in the late teens and early 20's. She would even pump her milk and put it in bottles when she left me to babysit and would even mix the breast milk in with his cereal. He was an exclusivly breast milk baby until he was a year old. I even know that my mom has no problems with breast feeding and would have done it exclusivly herself if one of her nipples wasn't inverted, making it impossible and painful to nurse with that breast. I love how this site provides the information that all mothers need to make an informed decision about breast feeding, and if the info isn't here, then they post a site where it can be found.
Jenn
I fed my first child for 18mths gladly and am still feeding my 17mth girl 6yrs after her brother was born and I love it. I am tired and I am looking older and greyer but I know it is the best for them. I would recomend any Mom to persevere no matter what. I lost my milk three times due to illness during my daughters first 6mths but here we are at nearly 18mths and she has not had any antibiotics yet!!!
wendy
I love this site - I am nursing my 12 month old daughter and several people at work are telling me that I need to wean her - and making me feel like I am doing something wrong. My daughter just loves when I come home from work - she nurses and just looks into my eyes and I don't even have to say a word - I can read her eyes - and she melts my worries away - something like that can't be wrong!
Laura
As more women successfully breastfeed their children those women can become role models and teachers for other women who wish to breastfeed. Perhaps we can counter the bottle culture and help all women (even working mothers) realize that breastfeeding is the best way to nurture a child. I am still breastfeeding my 22-month-old daughter, and I see no end in sight. I'm going to let her decide when to quit. However, I also understand the other side. I breastfed my oldest son, now 10, for only 4 weeks. The reason I quit--lack of knowledge and also the pain. I didn't realize that the pain lessens and the joy increases. I don't want to be preachy with women, but I'd love to get the message out.
Kathy T.
As more women successfully breastfeed their children those women can become role models and teachers for other women who wish to breastfeed. Perhaps we can counter the bottle culture and help all women (even working mothers) realize that breastfeeding is the best way to nurture a child. I am still breastfeeding my 22-month-old daughter, and I see no end in sight. I'm going to let her decide when to quit. However, I also understand the other side. I breastfed my oldest son, now 10, for only 4 weeks. The reason I quit--lack of knowledge and also the pain. I didn't realize that the pain lessens and the joy increases. I don't want to be preachy with women, but I'd love to get the message out.
Kathy T.
My daughter is 4 months old and I have mismanaged breastfeeding. Too many supplemental formula bottles (traveling, holiday business, etc.)...I am still producing milk but much less. If I pump frequently now..can I increase my supply again?
JodiYes you can. You can pump, and you can put baby to breast often. The more sucking or pumping stimulation there is to breasts, the more milk they will start making. Plus, there are herbs too that can help.
Please check this website as it is an excellent resource: Increasing milk supply from Kellymom.com.
My husband and I are prepareing within the next year to get pregnant. We were both smokers and I'm trying to prepare my body to be a healthy vesile for our baby. I'm 24 years old I plan on breast feeding and I know this is best for my future children. It's funny though how rare it is to find people my age that are even willing to consider breast feeding. My husband is in the millitary and we live on base. There are lots of babys and toddlers with plastic bottles in hand feeding themselves. I think that this is truely a sad sight. From my own observations of friends and neighbors and society in general I think that the decline of breast feeding is due to a few factors that I didn't see mentioned so I would like to share those thoughts with you. At some point in the last twenty or thirty years when woman started working more and more they also started getting busy with things that they wanted to do. Selfishness is the leading killer of breast feeding in my opinion. Woman were objectified for years and when they started working more and more and shopping and staying single and becoming more and more independant they became more and more selfish. They have to have this job and that body and everything was going to be their way or the highway and little do they know that they are now making objects of their children. Little Dick and Jane have become a comodity, they are just as important in these womans lives as their new guccibag or their BMW. I've seen woman get more upset about stepping in a puddle in their new shoes as they do when their child falls and scrapes their knee. Coincedently these are the same woman who must have the career and the shoes and the bag to go with those shoes and the great house, and they have to go out three nights a week with their girlfriends. I"m in no way saying that woman working is a bad thing I'm not saying that wanting nice things is aweful either. Mothers should be selfless mothers should put their kids above the things that money can buy. Another little lie that is thrown in our faces daily is that little saying "Quality time". You can tell the differance in a child who has a fulltime working mother and Father as opposed to the child who has a parent who stays with them and nurtures them through their formative years. My mother stayed home with me and my two sisters and my brother and not one of us were throwing fits in the store, or telling our parents no no no all the time. We grew were in a loving environment we had parents who cared about us and who let us be ourselves all day long and they told us the rules and we respected them because they respected who we were. I'm sorry if this went off on a tangent but I think it is important what you are doing here. I think it is important that people are aware of the bennifits of breastfeeding and allowing your children to see you feed and infant and loving them and respecting them as people. I just thought you should know that I appreciate it and I think this is a wonderful website...very informative. Thank you so much.
Kimberly
i am a breastfeeding mother and injoy it so much! I love the bond that my daughter and I have.
yvonne
When I was growing up, my step mother breastfed the youngest editions to our family. I was 12, and breasts were just beginning to be part of the sexual mystery of women. However, her openess and lack of shame made breastfeeding completely natural to me: there was no strangeness whatsoever. I am therefore baffled, for mutliple reasons, that women would not breastfeed. As this site so clearly explains, breasts are for feeding babies. Breasts evolved by natural selection to create exactly the recipe that makes human babies healthy: what could be more natural or better for your child?
I also do not understand the difficulty in seeing breasts as both sexual objects, and milk producing glands. My argument from analogy is this: my penis is both a sexual object, and a ureter. Women have no problems making love to men, even though men possess a dual function penis. I have no problems taking non-sexual pleasure in urinating; shouldn't women also enjoy non-sexual breastfeeding? I mean, you can do and feel something men can never experience. Rejoice in your breasts!
Patrick
I am a breast feeding mother of a 6 month old baby. I love the bond that I have with my wee girl. I think the great support I receive from my partner has helped to shrug off all the negative comments from other family members and society in general. Many seem to think that becos I feed exclusively breast milk that i'll be one of 'those' that feeds their baby till they are at school... But whatever I choose do to - what is it to them anyway? For those mums who are struggling with newborn feeding - trust your breasts. 97% of breasts work. And just when u think they cant possibly produce any more milk cos Baby has been at them all day - whaddya know! They still make milk. The more that breast feeding is supported, the less the govt will need to spend on sickly children who didnt get the chance to get the best nutrition possible.
jo mcgregor
It is the woman behind the breasts and not the breasts that makes a woman lovely . Also if a lady who is my house wants to breast feed her child , I will offer privacy so she does not need feel embarrassed by a very natural act .
William Snyder
I am for breastfeeding, but for the first two weeks after leaving hospital I was breastfeeding exclusively. Yet I did not realized that the baby was not getting enough milk and was slowly dying of hunger. It was only when my friend ( a Doctor) came by I realized. Nothing that I did got the milk flowing. Much to my disappointment I have to give him formula. He is now six weeks old. The point I want to make though is that we young mothers need to be guided so we can know when we are producing enough milk to satisfy our babies. By the way it's my first child at age forty, don't know if that has anything to do with milk-production. Finally, I would still want to breastfeed exclusively.
deniseI think you might find help in reading through Milk supply issues at Kellymom.com. There are many reasons why milk supply is not enough... and many things you can do to possibly improve it, depending on the cause.
I would to say thank you for for the pics of the moms for sharing the moments with us my due date is nov. 31 - dec. 5 2005 it made me cry to see the love that go into such time. I have look forward to having breastfeed my two sons. thanks mommy to be again!
leslie
When my baby boy (not my oldest he's nearly 6) got sick with a cold and started throwing up some quack at my HMO's urgent care told me to stop breastfeeding for a week! He said "it might be the breastmilk, he may not be able to tolerate it, this is often the case"
What a load of garbage! Well, I tried "not to" for "my baby's sake" for all of 4 hours. I called my old pediatrician (from before the nasty insurance change) and they said "under no circumstances stop, breastfeeding will HELP the child not HARM him.."
It was 4 hours of hell until that point, though (at his age). Never again! Always double check your doctor! They aren't God, you know!
Charlene
I believe breastfeeding is by far the most effective, nutritious way to feed a child. I often hear other mothers tell me that I need to put my child on formula so that they can feed them too. Too often this is heard in the household where the husband feels that the newly born baby should be bottlefed instead of breastfeeding due to financial issues. I don't agree putting my own child through such stress just because of somebody elses desires, beliefs. It is the best thing for babies. I encourage every mother to breastfeed as long as possible.
Rhaiza Johnson
I nursed my second child for 18 months. At 4 months she stopped gaining wieght. It was 1996, my pediatrician accused me of trying to starve her. She had terrible colic, and was up all night for months on end. After 5 different pediatricains, I decided to eliminate certain foods. When I gave up pizza, cheese, oranges, and tomatoes, she started to thrive again. The doctors made me crazy. Advice; don't give up. My child would spit the formula in my face. She would chew a bottle nipple and choke on the pumped milk. None of the doctors thought I was telling the truth because I was so young. Today, she is healthy. An allergist tested her blood and her IGE was positive for food allergies. The same food that made her sick when she was breastfed. Doctors should listen to mothers more, breastfeeding has been done since the beginning of our species. I think women need more support from peditricians who are too quick to blame breastfeeding on digestive and wieght gain problems.
teresa
I breastfed my son for 10 months. Exclusively for six. I couldn't believe all the people including my family that spent so much energy trying to get me to stop. I was working and pumping after 3 months and if I had any complaint (no matter the subject) everyone would blame the breastfeeding.
I realize now that their negative comments only made it easier to keep going because I wanted to prove them wrong. Sure enough my son is two now and has never been sick and we have a wonderful relationship.
I plan on breatfeeding my second for two years.
Sincerely,
Joanne
Excellent information. Thank you! I am a chiropractor in Philadelphia and routinely share this information with patients. My wife and I have 4 children, who have all been breast fed. We had some problems with our first... she had so-called "colic" and projectile vomiting with breast feeding. We suffered with the problem for about 3 months when we read information regarding cow-milk proteins (such as casein) being passed from mother to baby. To make a long story short, my wife gave up dairy and the "colic" was cured. Our babies have all pleasantly nursed since. Thanks again for the great site!
Ken Goldman
hi, I'm nursing my 17-mo old son, mostly at bedtime and during the night. I would like to wean him because I'm pregnant and recently have had two miscarriages, one in Sept and one in Dec (very early on). I nursed my older son until the fifth month of pregnancy with this son, when he was 10 mos. old. But wasn't as into nursing anyway and he pretty much weaned himself. This young man never took a bottle and drinks from a cup. He doesn't like milk or formula, either. Any help would be appreciated.
The simple truth is that there is probably no reason at all to wean. It is very unlikely that your miscarriages would have been caused by breastfeeding- research seems to point to the direction that breastfeeding does NOT cause miscarriages. Please read Is it safe to nurse during pregnancy? and FAQ: Breastfeeding During Pregnancy and Tandem Nursing from Kellymom.com.
To prevent miscarriage, try eat SUPER good nutrition, take your vitamins, avoid all processed foods and food additives.
This is what will likely happen:
your son will nurse happily thru the first 3 months of your pregnancy. After that, your milk will change in its taste and it will no longer be sweet but more like salty tasting (sodium content increases). Also the supply will go way down; in other words you will have much less milk. These changes are caused by the pregnancy hormones. Your milk may totally dry up during the middle months of pregnancy. All this may very well cause him not like the milk and he may very well stop on his own. But if he doesn't wean, it doesn't matter. He can continue, it won't hurt him or you.If he doesn't wean himself, then later, your colostrum comes in maybe 7th or 8th month of pregnancy (or even 6th). Your son may enjoy that as far as taste goes, but it is only in very small quantities. So basically you can just relax and let things develop on their own, as far as how much your son wants to nurse.
This is a great web site. My daughter is three and half months old right now and I breastfeed exclusivly. It is the most wonderful feeling to hold my baby that close. I think it's awsome that I can give her something that no one else can give her. If anyone out there is having doubts about breastfeeding, don't!!! As a new mother, I got lots of rest. Breast milk must taste better than formula. I had an incident where I was held up on the road. My husbadn ran out of pumped breast milk and offered the baby formula (you get tons of free samples while your pregnant). She refused the formula. I think a mother tends to be healthier when breastfeeding, because she watches what she puts into her body. The best thing about feeding the baby is the closeness. It feels like your baby really loves you back when you breastfeed. Happy feeding.
Sabrina Stovall
Our American society is geared towards seeing women as emotionally fragile, sexually charged entities (notice I didn't say individuals). We see this mentality evolve more and more in fashion. As a teacher (and a fairly young one), I am amazed at how many high schoolers are wearing low-low rise jeans and how many thirteen-year old girls are displaying their thong underwear. Girls are getting push-up bras in middle school, and there is not as much disgust with this trend as there should be. As a society, everyone needs to work towards awareness. This means breastfeeding in public and giving an informational pamphlet to anyone who complains. This also means talking to your children about sexual realities. We can't let our children grow up thinking that bodies are supposed to look cartoonishly perfect. It is so important that parents realize the benefits of breastfeeding far outweigh convenience and occasional unwanted confrontation. Your baby's health is priority number one!
Anne
I was 17 when I got pregnant with my first baby, 18 when he was born. All of my friends thought I was crazy for deciding to breastfeed. Many young women choose not to nurse because they feel they won't be able to go out and have fun with their friends. I agree that it does tie you to your baby more, but that's a good thing! A new baby needs their mommy! But I just took him everywhere I went. Nursing in public took some getting used to, but I was proud of the choice I had made, and wasn't going to let anyone make me feel ashamed or awkward. I have three kids now and have nursed for 5.5 of the last 9 years. I slept with each of my babies and was able to just roll over and feed them if they woke up. I NEVER had the all night horror stories that I hear from other parents. I loved breastfeeding my kids and I am so glad you have this site to encourage others. I would like to see the mood reversed in this country when it comes to subject. Those mothers that can nurse and choose not to are the ones who should be feeling ashamed! By the way I am a low income person who did have other kids to take care of and did have to back to work. You need to have a better excuse than that to rob your baby of the vital benefits of nursing.
Thank You!
Jennifer
Breastfeeding is natural and wonderful! I feel sorry for all the mothers and babies who will never experience the bond and love that can come with it. I love the fact that I can cuddle my son close to me and offer him warmth, nourishment and comfort that he can get no where else. I can't stand when people have to offer their opinions. A lady I work with who has 2 grown daughters always has to tell me that she "never believed in breastfeeding" It drives me nuts!! I just smile and say "every mom has to choose what they are comfortable with. I did the research and I decided that breastmilk was the healthier and more nautral choice and it works great for us." I am blessed with a supportive husband, and I am so grateful for him. Sometimes I think he's a little uncomfortable with it being in public. He gets nervous when I have to do it in the car. We pull off into a parking lot and people glance in and he gets embarassed. At christmas with his extended family he was trying to get me to go to a bedroom to nurse. I told him no that it was unnecessary. He didn't want me to do it in front of his teenage cousins. I do it in front of my teenage brothers-- how is it any different? I kept it discreet. Although when his uncles discovered what I was doing their cheeks turned red and they walked away which I thought was cute. I am so happy with my decision to nurse my son. and I know he is too!
Heidi
What a wonderful website! Despite the fact that no one has ever breast fed in my family I knew it was what I wanted for my child and how I felt comfortable feeding him. I have a beautiful 3 month old son and a husband who has been totally supportive with breastfeeding. However, I have to go back to work in two months. I have pumped milk, and my husband as well as other family members have tried feeding him. Needless to say it isn't going well. I was told to start giving him a bottle every few days so that when I go back to work it won't be such a shock. We have been trying different nipples and different flow rates. Any advice? Is there a certain book or anywhere I could turn to for advice and support. I am so glad that I came across your website. Besides my husband I really don't have that much support from anyone. It was like a breath of fresh air to read the information on your website. It has given me that much more confidence to breastfeed in public. Thank you, thank you, thank you!
Sincerely WendyYou will find tons of info at Kellymom.com and Breastfeeding.com. The latter site has a wonderful message board too.
Or, look for more resources and help at our Breastfeeding Help and Resources page.
I totally agree with Karen Dettwyler that the natural human nursing period is up to 7 years. I am a Medical Anthropologist and have come to this conclusion based upon the nursing period of other mammals, compared to the timing of sexual maturation. Mothers in Western society have a unique opportunity to provide our offspring with "the best of both worlds." We have: controlled many infectious diseases, good nutrition available year round, access to medical care, AND the opportunity to nurse through the toddler years. We need to create a new cultural image for nursing moms!
Evelyn Christner
I'm so sick of hearing about how an infants risk of developing cancer or diabetes is greater if they are not breastfed. Maybe some people just don't have the time to breastfeed because they have other children to take care of or they have to return to work. It's just wrong to say that a child could die from not being breastfed.
SharonThose statements are just 'cold scientific facts', but of course it is wrong to throw those facts blamingly at a mother who could not breastfeed. And it is good to remember that person's cancer or diabetes risk also depends a lot on the diet they are fed after weaning, and on the amount of exercise, chemicals they are exposed to etc. Having been breastfed is just one factor in that.
In other kind of societies (especially in the past) mothers didn't have to go to work outside home. Even today in Nordic countries mothers get a long maternity leave. So it's the laws of the land and customs in the society that make breastfeeding difficult, and one shouldn't blame the mother for that.
Hi I am 14 years old and I am so worried about my boobs. I think they're abnormal. I want to see pictures of girls like me. I want to see if I'm normal. Thank you!(.)(.)
JaneIt is almost certain that yours are perfectly normal. Please go visit our Breast gallery pictures page to learn more.
I think your site brings up a fantastic point - breasts have lost their true meaning in America. A woman can be kicked out of a McDonald's for breastfeeding her baby, yet men can walk right into a strip club and have naked breasts shook right in their face? I find that totally disgusting. What a backwards society we truly live in. So many women hate their breasts and are afraid to breastfeed because men have made them into nothing more than mere sex toys, and they want to keep it that way. Meanwhile we (and babies) suffer. Unfortunately, I was not able to breastfeed. Most of it was a physical problem, but I think some of it had to do with discomfort around exposing my breasts. I think its sad. In all the breastfeeding education I went through, there were plenty of facts about the mechanics of breastfeeding, but no counsel on how to kick that "taboo" image of breasts. Its taboo to use them for their real purpose!!!!! It needs to stop!
Sara
I agree completely with the above "Weaning story". I'm a man 25 years old. My mom breastfeeded me 1-2 times only. She had a lot of milk and she felt uncomfortable. So her doctor gave her a medicine to reduce the amount of milk. But the result was to stop the milk! I was shocked when I learned about this and I started to search information about how bad is for babies not to breastfeed. I was surprised when I read the "Weaning story"! This "story" is completely true! I am an insecure person with low confidence and fears. I want to bad someone to hug me and feel warm and safe but of course i'm never ask for this cause i'm not a baby! I have this psycological trauma. I understood why i've always loved and have the curiosity about this part of the female body. I grew up with the breastfeeding feeling remains unsatisfied. I must say here that this is not have to do with sexual feelings about breasts. People (women or men) that weren't breastfed I think they can understand me. It's something serious to me. I feel very sad and I don't know if there is anything to do to solve this emotional problem.
Stratos
Applause, applause. I enjoyed your site immensely. I am (already) a breastfeeding advocate (tandem nursing mom of a 3 1/2 yr. old and an 18 mos. old). I plan to eventually visit high schools to give talks on breastfeeding and would like to consider using some of your information as a "lesson plan." Thank you.
Susan Dickerson
I breastfed my daughter until she was 16 months old. My own Mother kept telling me I was breastfeeding her too long and I needed to wean her. She would scold me everytime she'd see me breastfeed my daughter. I am 26 years old and my Mom is 55. Was breastfeeding discouraged in her day as a young Mother?
I think breastfeeding is the best thing ever! My baby is extremely healthy- and has never had an ear infection. She is already super smart at 17 months. She talks in three word sentences. Also, I lost 100 pounds while breastfeeding her (gotta love that).
At the hospital, my daughter was vacuumed out causing her head to have a large abrasion on her scalp. The nurse told me to rub a little of my breastmilk on her cut several times a day. It worked and the cut healed in no time, without a scar. I call breaskmilk Mommy's Magic Solution.
I am thankful that I was able to produce milk and I really enjoyed breastfeeding my daughter and giving her the best chance at a healthy life.
Thanks for listening!
Malia Moss
this is my first baby and I am looking forward to breastfeeding my baby.to me that is the most nature thing to do.thank you for your sight I enjoyed reading the things that you all had wrote.
missy
Very informative website. As a happily nursing - working mother, I totally agree with the need to provide support and education to all women!
Melissa
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