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Breastfeeding
Another precious gift for mama...treasure it!
Besides child-bearing, another precious gift that God gives to all fortunate mamas is to be able to breastfeed.
It's in turn a special, loving gift that all mamas could and should give to their children.
Oh, you hungry little boy, mama's milk is right here...
A newborn will instinctively turn his head, search for mama's breast, open his mouth, and then start to suckle
the breast for breast milk. Believe me, it's the most touching moment for any mama.
My Breastfeeding Decision
When I was pregnant with Adriel, I read a lot about breastfeeding. I was determined to breastfeed him,
at least for the first 2 months during my maternity leaves at home. After all, breast milk is the best, most natural
and cheapest food for babies.
At that time, my circle of friends and relatives were not so much of 'breastfeeding fans'.
Most had doubt when they heard of me wanting to breastfeed the baby and gave that let's-see-how-long-can-she-do-it look.
However, I was thankful that dear hubby and both my parents and parents-in-law encouraged breastfeeding and it
seemed the way it should be when the baby was born.
And guess what? Not only could I exclusively breastfeed both Adriel and Jeriel for the first 6 months,
I could also continue to breastfeed Adriel until I was pregnant with Jeriel when Adriel was 2½ years old,
and Jeriel until he was 1 year old.
If anyone of you think that I could do this because I'd all my time at home, allow me to tell you,
I was not a stay-at-home mom but working full-time from Monday to Friday at that time!
I'll let you know how I did it.
Breastfeeding Concerns
There are common concerns over whether one can nurse or breastfeed, how to breastfeed,
whether the baby gets enough from the breast milk, etc. I did have the same questions and
even doubts of my breastfeeding decision after delivering my baby...
How Do We Breastfeed?
Breastfeeding is a natural way of feeding our babies. Yet, breastfeeding is a learned skill.
Working And Breastfeeding
There are challenges for working mamas who wish to breastfeed. But working and
breastfeeding aren't impossible. With some adjustment to the working schedule and
breastfeeding routine, many working mamas have successfully done it. I, too, have done it!
Expressing Milk At Work
To ensure that your baby can still get the best food he ever needs while you are
at work, pumping out your breast milk at work seems the only choice that works. You can follow these simple tips...
Storing Of Breast Milk
Expressed breast milk if not feed immediately has to be refrigerated or frozen.
There are general storage guidelines for breast milk. Properly-stored breast milk
can act as backup and is a very good source of emergency supply of milk for our babies.
Breastfeeding And Traveling
Once you have mastered breastfeeding, traveling with baby is indeed very convenient.
All you need to bring to feed your baby is none other your breasts!
Benefits Of Breastfeeding
The benefits of breastfeeding are significant. Not only do the babies gain health
benefits from breast milk, mamas too, have benefited from breastfeeding their babies.
It's A Right Choice!
It's wonderful to know I am nourishing my babies in the healthiest way possible.
The claim of breastfed babies are healthier than formula-fed babies is not unproven.
Both Adriel and Jeriel had not been sick for the first year of their lives.
And you know what, they also cried less. There was this weird remark I got from
others..."let's make the baby cry, I've not seen how he cries!"...
Breastfeeding my boys has been one of the most rewarding experiences I've had. I
enjoyed every second of breastfeeding them and treasured the closeness my boys
and I shared together while breastfeeding.
Dear mamas with new babies, please cuddle your babies and breastfeed them.
Believe me, you'll just love it and the breastfeeding experience will be your
best if you ever try it out.
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