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Before Baby Series
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When it comes to choosing how to provide for your newborn’s nutritional needs, it’s a no-brainer that “breast is best.” Gone are the days when doctors urged mothers to bottle-feed. In fact, it’s nearly impossible to be an expectant mom today without being bombarded by the many benefits, and the subsequent pressures, of nursing.
Yet, with all of the awareness and advocacy in support of breastfeeding, it seems women still appreciate the back-up plan represented by a bottle, a nipple and a can of baby formula. Being prepared for the challenges, knowing how to get help and understanding that bottle-feeding is an acceptable alternative, can help make nourishing your little bundle the bonding experience it should be. Bringing a child into the world means shouldering huge responsibilities – not least of which is the decision of whether or not to breastfeed. You don’t have to look far to discover the many amazing benefits of nursing. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) confirms, “Breast-fed infants have lower rates of hospital admissions, ear infections, diarrhea, rashes, allergies and other medical problems than bottle-fed babies.” Nursing promotes good jaw development and may even help solidify the mother-child bond. There’s no contest when it comes to the question of whether or not breast milk is the healthiest, safest, most sterile food source for your infant. The trickier question to ask yourself is whether or not you are committed to making the personal sacrifices necessary to make breastfeeding work for you and your family. All of the benefits notwithstanding, breastfeeding is a learned skill that requires days, even weeks, of trial and error. In the beginning, nursing can be uncomfortable, awkward and can test the mettle of a new mom battling baby blues. As nurturer and food source, expect exhaustion and serious limitations on your freedom until you get the hang of things. If you choose to go this route, be prepared to seek the help of a lactation specialist and let your spouse, family and friends know how important their support is to your success. Having a team behind you who understands the benefits and the inherent sacrifices can make the difference between whether you breastfeed for a week or the recommended 6-12 months. |
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