breastfeeding

10 Things Wish I Knew About Breastfeeding

The truth about breastfeeding is it’s freaking hard work. It takes time, dedication, and a commitment to make it successful. You’re going to go through some hurtles – maybe a clogged duct here, an engorged breast there – but it’s so worth it in the end.

I absolutely LOVE breastfeeding my son. There’s nothing that makes me feel connected as a mama than nursing my baby. He’s now 7 months old and we are still breastfeeding. I don’t plan to stop nursing until at least a year old.

I’ve had a very successful breastfeed journey, but I do want to share 10 things I wish I knew about breastfeeding before I got started. I hope that this article helps some of you expecting mamas out there.

I’m not a lactation consultant, but I’ve successfully nursed my baby since he was born. This is my story.

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What is Colostrum?

by DP Nguyen Leave a Comment

Colostrum is the yellowish or creamy milk that you secrete in the first couple of days after birth. It’s often called “baby’s first milk” or “pre-milk.” Colostrum is much thicker than your mature breast milk, and full of immunoglobulins and antibodies that will help protect your baby from the millions of germs and bacteria that exist in our world.

Although you may not realize it, but your breasts have been producing colostrum since the beginning of your second trimester. If you experienced any breast leakage in pregnancy, that was colostrum.

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Why Breastfeed Your Baby?

by Guest Writer 1 Comment

Barely a few days after my daughter was born, I went for a short walk with her and a woman came up to us and said, “Oh, what a cute baby!” So far, so good. Babies are cute. “Do you breastfeed her?” was the lady’s follow-up.

Breastfeeding, as you know if you have had a baby, is a topic many people are very nosey about. We’ve got the “breastfeeding mafia” of mothers who think every other mom should also nurse, and the crowd that thinks breastfeeding in public is obscene. Whatever you do, you can’t win.
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Weird News: “Breast Milk Baby” Breastfeeding Doll Coming to U.S.A.

by DP Nguyen 15 Comments

There are many strange toys for children, but none are as weird as this . . . The “Breast Milk Baby” doll will be hitting a store near you. This doll, created by Berjuan Toys in Spain, allows little girls to learn all about breastfeeding.

For only $89, your daughter can put on a special halter-top that has a flower “nipple” on both sides. She holds the little baby, one of the dolls is named “Savannah,” up to the flower nipple, and the doll makes a suckling motion with her mouth. And Savannah makes suckling sounds during this process.

After your little girl is done feeding her doll, she can burp Savannah, so she can sleep safe and sound.

Breast Milk Baby Breastfeeding Doll — Photo Courtesy of Berjuan Toys

Breastfeeding Mom Shares Her Personal Journey

by Guest Writer 9 Comments

By Guest Blogger, Hannah from It’s Your Journey.

I was told I was a breast fed baby. My mother never had the opportunity to share her story with me. She had passed on when I was ten. Maybe that was why breastfeeding was more of an instinct rather than desire for me. I had every intention of supplementing my breast milk, because that way I was giving my babe the best of both worlds, as I was convinced to believe.

However it began, my intention to supplement my breast milk stopped cold the moment my firstborn daughter was born. I knew I would NEVER give her the stuff. From that point on, I would go on to breastfeed every child exclusively and extensively and I have seven children in all.

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Childhood Cancer Survivors Benefit from Breastfeeding their Kids

by DP Nguyen 17 Comments

Breastfeeding isn’t just great for baby. For childhood cancer survivors who grow up and become mothers, they can also benefit from breastfeeding, according to new research from St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.

Thanks to the amazing advances in early detection and cancer treatment, children who are diagnosed with cancer have a 5-year survival rate of nearly 80 percent. (The National Cancer Institute reports that survival rate of childhood cancer has increased from only 58.1 percent in 1975-77 to the 79.6 percent today due to the significant advances in treatment.)

Unfortunately, childhood cancer survivors end up facing a price for their medical treatment. They are at higher risk for heart disease, obesity, and weak bones. For female childhood cancer survivors, breastfeeding may alleviate some of this risk. [Read more…] about Childhood Cancer Survivors Benefit from Breastfeeding their Kids