Breastfeeding is a God given gift for your child.  No matter how the scientists get together and work new formulas, breast milk just can't be completely duplicated. They can't improve on what God provides for  us to feed the babies He gives us. The best part is .... it's FREE! With the high cost of everything else, free along with better nutrition and convenience are three BIG reasons to choose to breastfeed!!

I've spent over 13 years nursing time; that means baby-to-breast actual experience.

Getting to know what I was doing!!

When I started breastfeeding with my first child, I didn't know what I was doing and my baby didn't know exactly what to do either. I think he could sense that I was unsure of myself.

So many people had advice for me. New mothers must wear a sign that says "New Mother ... I need help".

The doctor gave me advice from his experience and then the nurse came in and give me her experience and advice. When young mothers get together, each feels it their duty to pass on their experience and expertise. I was getting advice from everyone, everywhere (even ladies I didn't even know). I decided to consider all of the practical ideas I heard and determined what would work for me and our baby. The one person whose advice helped most was a mother of eight children. I knew she had really experienced what she was telling me, instead of just reading, studying it or hearing things on the subject (a lot of the which turned out to be "old wives tales"). The process of learning was helpful to both me and the baby.

My first frustrations:

The first frustration was in actually feeding the baby. He couldn't get the nipple! The more I tried, the more he got frustrated and wouldn't try. I had to learn to just relax and that would also relax the baby and make everything go more smoothly.

Another frustration was keeping him interested enough in eating. I was told to breastfeed from one side and then switch him to the other side. I found that he got so relaxed when eating that he would fall asleep and when I switched him to the other breast, he wouldn't wake up. The resulted in him not getting as much breast milk as he needed, and was hungry a half an hour later. My wise friend told me that she breast fed from one side at a feeding and the other breast at the next feeding. That made all the difference. The baby got enough milk to keep him satisfied longer and, once my milk production adjusted, worked great so I wasn't lop-sided.

When I understood better what I was doing, the baby felt better and did better. We were both much happier!

Have the Determination to Succeed

Breastfeeding takes perseverance and determination.

As with anything that is worthwhile, things are not always easy. There are challenges that come along and the only way to get past the problem is to work through it and overcome.

Determine that you will stick-with-it, no matter what because you know that breastfeeding is the best thing that you can do for your baby. Occasionally you may have a breast infections or plugged duct. This can be very painful but it's worth it to keep struggling until you overcome. With my 7th child, for some reason, I had a lot of breast infections. I applied warm, wet compresses and fed the baby extra, letting keep the breast drained. Whenever I saw the redness and felt the warm, feverish breast ... it was time to see the doctor. He prescribed a medication for the infection and then it was better. I had so many of the infections that it affected the younger children. When my, then 3 year old, wasn't feeling well and was asked what was wrong, he replied that he had a breast infection.

Plugged ducts can also be very painful but you can work through that as well. Keep the breast drained as much as possible by feeding the baby more, expressing the milk with a breast pump, or let you husband help you out. When I had a plugged duct, while feeding I would prop the baby up and with my hand hold and squeeze and massage the breast to help work the plugs out. At time is was painful, but when I caught it at the first, it didn't last long.

I even kept feeding my baby during hospital stays. At times I felt like a cow but the baby always did better because the food was consistent. The doctors told me that the babies who can keep breastfeeding while in the hospital, recover much more quickly.

I also worked part time with a couple of the babies and was able to continue breastfeeding. When I started cleaning houses, the one thing I required from the person I was cleaning for ... that I be able to bring my baby and breast feed her as she needed. There was never a problem with anyone I asked that of.

Busy life can be just as hectic as working but breastfeeding is really the easiest and most convenient option in a busy life.  How else can you feed your baby and not have to lug around  tons of supplies. Your food is ready anytime you are.

It will not always be easy, but it will definitely be worth it.

Breastfeeding is the most Convenient Option

I would not have been a good "bottle feeding" mom. It was too convenient to wake up during the night, bring the baby to bed and feed her there without having to get up, fix a bottle, heat it and then sit and feed the baby before going back to bed. I already got tired without getting NO sleep.

I realized this more fully when I was providing childcare for a baby. It was a major hassle to have to mix and heat (and I didn't have him during the night). He would also, at times after a nap, pull the nipple off the bottle which meant milk spilt all over the bed and floor.

Whether for a Planned outing, or something thought of on the spur of the moment, I could go at my husbands beckon call and be prepared with what I needed to take care of the baby. We could go to a movie without feeling like we were moving in. I could also sit in the dark and feed the baby and nobody even knew that I had the baby there.

No matter what, you are always ready to go anywhere without having to grab bottles and formula. Just grab a couple of diapers and you're set. Where ever you go, you have your babies food ready. No mixing, it's already ready. No heating, it's always the perfect temperature.

Any questions: Write to MoM ; Email

This is not medical advice, but practical, real life everyday things that come up, experiences that may help you to cope.