Many of us know of the “benefits of breastfeeding” (not “advantages of breastfeeding”; advantage compares it to something else, and breast should be the standard against which other methods are compared – sorry, just a little sidetrack there). These tend to be based around babies’ and mothers’ health, with a few “bonding” benefits thrown in for good measure.
But here are two of the benefits I’ve discovered that aren’t so well known.
You know how you get told “you’ll be able to read all your baby’s different signals – if he’s hungry, tired or just wants comforting”? And it sounds daunting (and it is)? Well, with breastfeeding, you don’t have to! I mean, you can if you want sit there and try and interpret those cries but this is how it would go:
“Waah! Waah!” What does this cry mean? Slightly high pitched, quite close together… hungry. I know, offer breast for food.
“Waaah! Waaah!” What about this one? Longer cries, lower in town… tired. I know, offer breast for sleep.
“Wah! Wah!” And this? Staccato cry with sharp intakes of breath… wants comforting. I know, offer breast for comfort.
So given the solution is the same in each case, why bother learning? Just offer the breast. In the early months this is a lifesaver; as baby gets older you will find (to your horror, if you are anything like me) that if baby does not want the breast s/he will refuse it anyway.
Another benefit people don’t talk about so often is what it does to your self-confidence, particularly with respect to body image. Maybe it is just me, but I used to dislike my body. So bumpy and lumpy and chubby, and those boobs; so big, but so saggy with their huge pink areola and blue veiny tinge. But now my breasts have a purpose and even the extra stores of fat I have are being made use of to make milk. I feel untouchable; insults about my weight or looks just bounce off.
Baby B strokes at the other breast whilst feeding, and those soft, needy hands stroking down a breast and gently pulling at the nipple to stimulate the milk make me and my body feel truly useful. I know it’s quite sad that I was never able to feel like this before, but at least I have that feeling now.
Anyone think of any more benefits that they don’t tell you?
December 31, 2007 at 8:28 pm
I agree breastfeeding is wonderful and does many things besides fatten up a baby, but as my exclusively breastfed seven-week-old baby seems to have colic right now I’m wary of encouraging him to feed all the time when that might not be what he needs: I’m worried it might upset his poor tummy even more to put new milk on top of partially digested milk. Though, like your baby, he does refuse the breast sometimes when he really isn’t hungry. We had a much easier time than you initiating breastfeeding and I feel kind of hurt and panicky that we now seem to be hitting problems. I was so pleased with how it was going and now he cries all the time…this too shall pass, I suppose. He keeps filling the nappies, at any rate.
I agree about what breastfeeding does to your confidence, and not just body-confidence. If I need to feed my baby and I’m in a public place, dammit I will feed my baby!
Dot
January 3, 2008 at 5:59 pm
I’ve found that my baby wants the breast even when she acts like she doesn’t. For example if she doesn’t want to go to bed and I take her upstairs to rock and nurse her she arches her back and screams. She will fight me to no end. So I found that squirting some milk in her mouth will remind her that she likes the breast and does want and then mommy wins again.
It cures all those little bumps and bruises. My oldest pushed my youngest off this kid sized porch swing and my baby (12 months old at the time) busted her lip really bad. She was content nursing even with that busted lip. My baby (16 months old) needed to get an IV and although she was upset she would nurse through the really painful parts and it helped her cope.
Breasts are baby magnets for older babies. Whats that your little one is about to put something not meant for her mouth in there for the 20th time. All you need to do is say the baby’s name, lift up your shirt, and watch her come running.
June 9, 2008 at 1:13 am
Great post. Very informative! Just thought I’d stop by and let all the parents out there know about a solution I found to calm a fussy baby at night. I know all too well the horror of being awake all night long and living life day to day like a zombie. Hopefully you will find the information I suggest very helpful, because it worked for me and I know it can work for you! Hope you enjoy!
Christopher Mason