The breastfeeding class at the health department today (er...umm...yesterday) was very informative.....and empowering. I left there feeling confident in my body's ability to nourish our baby. We watched a video that featured footage of sweet tiny infants nursing at their mothers' breasts. That's something I don't see in my every day life. Well, I do "see" my friend nursing her 18 month old sometimes, but since she is polite and discreet about it, I obviously don't see a close-up view of the baby latching on to her breast in slow-motion. :)

I must say, the nursing babies in the video had the most peaceful and satisfied looks on their faces. The mothers also appeared to be very at ease and restful. I'm not saying that the video idealized the art of breastfeeding - it certainly adressed possible problems that can arise - but it was just so nice to see all those successful breastfeeding relationships......just to know that it is possible.

Now, when any friends or family come at me with negative comments about breastfeeding or try to get me to quit based on their faulty information on the subject, I will be ready with lots of great facts to throw at them.....like:

*A baby only needs/gets 1 teaspoon (if that!) of colostrum from mommy during his/her first 24 hours of life. Baby's tiny stomach is only about the size of a small marble during the first day.

* 90% of all babies who are given a bottle within the first 3-4 weeks of life have trouble going back to the breast and ultimately stop nursing altogether because of nipple confusion. If you have real reason to believe that your baby is not getting enough milk, supplement by using a spoon or a syringe to administer breastmilk to him/her while you try to work out a solution.

* A baby MUSN'T be fed on a schedule. This is a sure way to decrease your supply. Breastfeed when the baby is hungry. Crying is a LATE signal of hunger. Try to read early signs, like: lip-smacking, opening mouth wide, putting fingers in mouth, rooting, sucking.

There is so much more, but I'm unbelievably tired and don't even know why I'm still typing at this point. Long story long, I learned so many things I didn't know and also things I can use to rebuttle my friends' & family's misconceptions about breastfeeding. Maybe I'll post more on the subject when my eyelids don't feel like cement drapes.

Oh yes, and we all got a free copy of Amy Spangler's Breastfeeding: A Parent's Guide. Woot!

Labels: breastfeeding