Pro-Breastfeeding.

I get pissy when someone asks me when I'm going to stop breastfeeding my babies. And that's happening a lot lately, so I've been especially pissy!

Reasons I still breastfeed after six months:
1) My baby is not ready to stop! It's her/his nutrition, source of vitamins, fills the tummy, and comforts without addicting baby to a bottle or binky. Nothing wrong with those things, but I'd rather have that special bond with my child that only I can have.

2) It gives me a special time with my baby, that with time my baby will grow out of. But I would be so sad if I did not take advantage of this time. I know I would miss it.

3) My children have never had an ear infection. Anthony is 4 and a half and has still not had an ear infection.

4) Breastfed children have a more mature immune system, and are backed up by the anti-bodies that are secreted through a mothers milk. This continues for as long a child nurses, not just up to 6 months.

5) Although it is not the only reason I still breastfeed, it is a benefit that breasfeeding supresses the hormones that bring on ovulation. This is a natural plus to practicing natural family planning. As I've mentioned in previous entries, many people use this as a natural way of child spacing.

6) My son is anything but a "mama's boy". GI Joe's, buzz cuts, wanting to be a Marine, wanting to hang out under the hood of a car...he's a manly as a boy his age can be. Mama's boy....rubbish.

So today is dedicated to education on breastfeeding. Read on.

Firstly, a great source for information on breastfeeding is at LaLecheLeague.com . They have all kinds of information and how to, why to, when to, and for how long to. Visit it. They even have a news letter and magazine.

Did you know that when a mother hears her baby cry hormones are released that make her want to hold her baby, induce a let down of milk, and make her sleepy so that she will sit long enough to let her baby nurse? It's nature. It's a great thing.

I guess it's another one of those things that people need to educate themselves about. This is a very helpful article.