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EAT => Breast Feeding => Topic started by: Sharondp on June 04, 2008, 19:25:44 pm

Title: Reasons to be proud!
Post by: Sharondp on June 04, 2008, 19:25:44 pm
I don't usually post on this board as my boys are all done and dusted with breastfeeding - far too soon for my liking :(. I've noticed a few other threads about having to stop BF, and people feeling sad about it, so I'm going to post what helped me when I had to stop. It's from an information leaflet from the National Childbirth Trust (NCT), and it tells you the benefits of breastfeeding for both mum and baby - whether you just manage one feed, or carry on for 2 years+, you should be proud that you have given baby the best start in life  :)

Reasons To Be Proud

First Feed:
For baby - helps to stabilise baby’s blood sugars and protect baby’s gut.
For mother - a great opportunity for the first skin-to-skin cuddle.

1 Day:
For baby - the antibodies in mother’s colostrum provide natural immunity from infection. 
For mother - helps womb to contract to normal size.

2-3 Days:
For baby - sticky black meconium is cleared more readily from baby’s bowel. 
For mother - instant relief for hot, swollen breasts when milk comes in.

1 Week:
For baby - transition to world outside womb is eased. 
For mother - frequent feeds mean time to sit or lie down and for you to get to know each other.

2 weeks:
For baby - food & drink always ready at the right temperature, adapting to the baby’s needs. 
For mother - hormones help you to get back to sleep after night feeds.

4 weeks:
For premature babies - lower risk factors for heart disease in later life. 
For mother - saves time sterilising and making up bottles.

6 weeks:
For baby - half the risk of chest infections now and up to 7 years old.
For mother: Breastfeeding likely to be easier and you can go out and about without bottle feeding equipment.

2 months:
For baby - lower risk of food allergy at 3 years old if breastfed only.
For mother - reduced risk of ovarian cancer in later life.

3 months:
For baby - five times less likely to get diarrhoea now and a reduced risk for the whole year.
For mother - fewer visits to gp as baby is less often ill.

4 months:

For baby - Half the risk of ear infections.  Less risk of asthma now and protection continues for up to 6 years.
For mother - feeling of empowerment at having been solely responsible for growing your baby for 4 months.

5 months:
For baby - five times lower risk of urinary tract infections.
For mother - a lovely way to reconnect with the baby if you go to work.

6 months:
For baby - lower risk of eczema now and up to three years old.
For mother - less risk of osteoporosis in the long term.

1 year:

For baby - three times less risk of becoming obese by age six and a lower risk of heart disease as an adult.
For mother - no need to buy formula milk at all saving at least £450 this year.

2 years:
For baby - likely to have higher average scores in intelligence tests.
For mother - expect fewer visits to orthodontist when baby is a teenager.  Risk of breast cancer reduced by 8%.

 :) :)

Title: Re: Reasons to be proud!
Post by: Caroline-Charlies Mummy on June 04, 2008, 19:32:28 pm
I was devastated when we had to stop at 6 months, so thank you :-*
Title: Re: Reasons to be proud!
Post by: woopster on June 04, 2008, 19:56:53 pm
That made me cry!  ::)
It's interesting reading.
Title: Re: Reasons to be proud!
Post by: lilmonkey on June 04, 2008, 20:14:06 pm
Thank you Sharon.  I used to think that I would be done at 6 mos but now I'm willing to continue as long as ds wants me (or them ;) ).

Title: Re: Reasons to be proud!
Post by: Mum of 3 + 2 stepkids on June 04, 2008, 20:31:03 pm
Thats really lovely, i was feeling a bit down this evening (other issues) and that made me smile. Im over 6mths and looking on to a year. :0

Kate x
Title: Re: Reasons to be proud!
Post by: SallyDom on June 04, 2008, 20:45:26 pm
Thanks for this, did make me feel proud

x
Title: Re: Reasons to be proud!
Post by: mumofalice on June 04, 2008, 21:57:43 pm
What a lovely post - it's brought a tear to my eye (but then since becoming a mum I cry at anything!)

I was originally aiming to BF for 6 months - but after learning that you can't give cows' milk til 12 months I've made that my new goal - as long as DD is happy to carry on.

Have just returned from a visit to MIL and she made some comment about my DD being a Mummy's Girl (she's textbook / touchy) and she said that BF babies tend to be more clingy - I really had to bite my tongue.

I'm so proud of myself - sometimes I just wish others were proud of me too - iykwim.

Thanks for making my day

Berni x
Title: Re: Reasons to be proud!
Post by: NoelleChristine on June 04, 2008, 22:05:08 pm
What a great reminder to us mommy's/mummy's.  Even 1 day has benefits so no more beating ourselves up when things don't go the way we've planned...okay!  :)
Title: Re: Reasons to be proud!
Post by: Mum of 3 + 2 stepkids on June 04, 2008, 22:10:22 pm
Im proud of you Berni. :)

Kate x
Title: Re: Reasons to be proud!
Post by: mumofalice on June 04, 2008, 22:16:21 pm
Thanks Kate  :-*

(you've just made me 'fill up' again - but in a good way!)
Title: Re: Reasons to be proud!
Post by: ~*~Little Miss Sunshine~*~ on June 04, 2008, 22:29:53 pm
Thank you SO MUCH Sharon!!  That is fab!!
Title: Re: Reasons to be proud!
Post by: Sharondp on July 09, 2008, 19:47:34 pm
Mods - could we make this a sticky? Please? :-*
Title: Re: Reasons to be proud!
Post by: *Vicki* on July 09, 2008, 19:51:03 pm
this is wonderful stuff!  and yes i think it should be a sticky!! 

Thank you Sharon....its brought a tear to my eye  :'(  :-*
Title: Re: Reasons to be proud!
Post by: fifibobandmore on July 11, 2008, 11:37:24 am
Interesting reading. I was so sad when my DS#1 stopped bfing at 6 months but I feel so much with what I now know I gave him lower risks of inlater life. My DD Bfed until I stopped her (she bit to hard and draw blood and bit a skin tag off) at 18 months  and now I am 8 days off my yr goal with DS#2 and I am so happy to continue until he wants to stop unless her does like my DD did then I will stop it. Thank you so much for making me feel proud. I have a friend has been trying to get me to but my DS#2 on formula as she said it would easier with me having 2 other children and now she is trying to tell me that he is too old for BF's but I keep telling her until she knows the facts about bfing then she can not tell me anything about what I should be doing with my baby. I might have to get this leaflet and next time she starts read it to her and say read it and weep. I am giving my baby what he needs for as long as he is happy to take it. Yeah us for every one that feels proud we should do especially with all the bad publiy we have had in the past
Title: Re: Reasons to be proud!
Post by: Samuel's mum on July 11, 2008, 18:51:21 pm
Thanks Sharon :)
Title: Re: Reasons to be proud!
Post by: Lex444 on July 12, 2008, 10:58:54 am
Lovely, thanks! Really made my day.

(Although from the studies I've read, the IQ benefit kicks in if you breastfeed even for the first six months)
Title: Re: Reasons to be proud!
Post by: Jen114 on July 15, 2008, 18:39:52 pm
Thank you very very much..... i just stopped breast feeding this week and feel just a little better hearing this.. i am going to miss the closeness
Title: Re: Reasons to be proud!
Post by: *Vicki* on July 19, 2008, 19:14:41 pm
I cant wait till when have another LO!  I know there is such a supportive community on here where BF is concerned....just wish it hadnt taken me 2 kids to realise that.... :(
Title: Re: Reasons to be proud!
Post by: Mum of 3 + 2 stepkids on July 19, 2008, 19:53:16 pm
Im with you on that, i only found BW with my third and last :'(

Kate x
Title: Re: Reasons to be proud!
Post by: NoelleChristine on July 20, 2008, 05:10:09 am
Im with you on that, i only found BW with my third and last :'(

Me too Kate!  Well, 4th and last that is.
Title: Re: Reasons to be proud!
Post by: Sharondp on August 17, 2008, 20:06:19 pm
So pleased this is helping people  :) :-*
Title: Re: Reasons to be proud!
Post by: loub on October 06, 2008, 12:50:57 pm
I love this post. This may sound silly but breastfeeding Lily has been 1 of my biggest achievements, having been 1 of the hardest things I've ever done physically and emotionally. If I said this to people that know me they'd probably think I was exagerrating as I have a successful career and have done many of the things I wanted to in my life. But in the beginning I thought I'd never get past a few weeks-my milk was late and she lost loads of weight which was devastating and I felt like the worst mother ever. On Tues I will have been feeding her for 4 months and I've never been more proud of myself : )
Title: Re: Reasons to be proud!
Post by: Mum of 3 + 2 stepkids on October 06, 2008, 14:58:17 pm
:-* arh thats so sweet (and the Pic also) Well done you!!!!! xxxxxx

I felt the same at the begining and wanted to make it to 6mths........ Zane is now 10.5mths  :o and can't wait to get to a yr :D

HAPPY BREASTFEEDING!!!!!  :-*

Kate x
Title: Re: Reasons to be proud!
Post by: NoelleChristine on October 06, 2008, 19:26:33 pm
Loub - that's great!  It's one of my most proudest accomplishments too!  I LOVE that avatar...makes me lol.


Kate - I totally remember you in those early months talking about getting to 6 months and now, like you said, Zane is 10.5 months.  Incredible!!!!!!
Title: Re: Reasons to be proud!
Post by: *Vicki* on October 06, 2008, 19:42:25 pm
You ladies are amazing  :-* you should be so so proud of yourselves!  :-*
Title: Re: Reasons to be proud!
Post by: Mum of 3 + 2 stepkids on October 06, 2008, 20:58:48 pm
Thanks Noelle x x x
Title: Re: Reasons to be proud!
Post by: SylvieA on October 06, 2008, 21:54:47 pm
Thanks for posting this. I always felt some guilt for not going longer with DS, but this makes me accept it more. I'm lucky enough to be able to breastfeed again. It's only been 8weeks with DD but going great and not planning on stopping until she's ready   :D :-*
Title: Re: Reasons to be proud!
Post by: Mum of 3 + 2 stepkids on October 07, 2008, 15:07:28 pm
Well done for getting to 8 weeks :-* and how ever long you get to is "something to be proud of"

Kate x
Title: Re: Reasons to be proud!
Post by: loub on October 07, 2008, 17:26:02 pm
Mumof3 whereabouts in Essex are you from? I grew up in Loughton but am now a Northener via New Zealand : ) xx
Title: Re: Reasons to be proud!
Post by: Mum of 3 + 2 stepkids on October 07, 2008, 19:19:44 pm
Canvey Island near southend on sea :)
Title: Re: Reasons to be proud!
Post by: TristansMom on November 02, 2008, 11:56:00 am
Its for all those reasons are more that I want to breastfeed for as long as possible for Tristan...

Thank you very much for sharing these kind words... Made my day! xxoo
Title: Re: Reasons to be proud!
Post by: Mum of 3 + 2 stepkids on November 02, 2008, 20:15:23 pm
Its for all those reasons are more that I want to breastfeed for as long as possible for Tristan...

Thank you very much for sharing these kind words... Made my day! xxoo

BTW love the pic very cute xxx
Title: Re: Reasons to be proud!
Post by: loub on November 03, 2008, 16:02:52 pm
Hooray, 5 months now xx I know some people manage a year or so but 5 months for me is a big achievement!!
Title: Re: Reasons to be proud!
Post by: Janette H on November 26, 2008, 05:53:00 am
Thank you Sharon for posting this originally. I had to stop bf ds1 at 8mos. Now ds2 is almost 6mos & we are seeming to be in a gs or low supply situation & bf has been very difficult this last week. I want to go to 1yr, but not sure if I'll be able. If not, this makes me feel better. Thanks.
Title: Re: Reasons to be proud!
Post by: Mum of 3 + 2 stepkids on November 27, 2008, 22:48:37 pm
Hi Janette,

If you want any help with getting your supply up then post us over on the bfing boards. :-*

Kate x
Title: Re: Reasons to be proud!
Post by: Janette H on November 28, 2008, 03:39:44 am
Kate-I am kind of waiting it out to see if gs or not. I am pumping a couple times daily as much as possible, taking fenugreek & thistle, watching my eating/drinking/resting. I did post about not getting letdown to pump & got some tips, so I will post if need be. Thanks.
Title: Re: Reasons to be proud!
Post by: Mum of 3 + 2 stepkids on November 30, 2008, 21:12:53 pm
ok anytime :)
Title: Re: Reasons to be proud!
Post by: Sharondp on December 02, 2008, 20:44:27 pm
So pleased that this has helped so many of you xxx
Title: Re: Reasons to be proud!
Post by: Mum of 3 + 2 stepkids on December 02, 2008, 22:32:59 pm
yes this is great for everyone :D
Title: Re: Reasons to be proud!
Post by: A pair of Charlies on February 19, 2009, 12:19:26 pm
Hi

Love the list of benefits!!  :-*

My sis always sites another reason for extending nursing beyond the first year but I don't know whether it's myth or proven. She says that when babes have tummy bugs (vomiting and / or the other), that the body will digest BM while everything else just makes it worse until the bug has run its course.

Curious whether anyone else has heard this? If true, that is another mighty good reason!!

Charlotte
Title: Re: Reasons to be proud!
Post by: Laura GDS on October 06, 2009, 06:25:47 am

Reasons To Be Proud
 
For mother - saves time sterilising and making up bottles.


Great!

:)
Title: Re: Reasons to be proud!
Post by: Yazzie on December 23, 2009, 20:31:25 pm
Just had to come & post here.

I am round to have breastfed my lo for almost the past 6.5 months..!..we had a very rocky start & things weren't smooth sailing excpet after 3 weeks, so to be able to sit & post today, having been a breastfeeding mum, is something that I will cherish & forever be grateful about..!

Today, I have decided to wean my ds off one of his feeds, as I will be going back to work & he just won't take a bottles..:(...I already feel so bad & can't believe that we are starting the end of what has been a fascinating journey, I just love to breastfeed..!...It's like the whole world stops & it's only me & ds for those few minutes..:D

I do hope to be able to continue bfing for two years & actually seeing that list reminded me of all the reasons, any I refused to give up 6.5 months ago & why I won't be giving up now..!
Title: Re: Reasons to be proud!
Post by: Pens Fan on March 01, 2010, 15:41:05 pm
Just stopped Breastfeeding at 13 months... v sad but my skin is still all over the place and I have not lost any baby weight that I gained - I am pleased that I have been able to give DS the best start possible.   With DD I stopped at 7 months and found this time is was much harder to make that final decision to stop.   Could not be happier with being able to do it for so long.
Title: Re: Reasons to be proud!
Post by: Khalam's Mama on April 08, 2010, 22:02:09 pm
I will be looking back at this every now and then so when someone else says to me "I wasn't breastfed and it never did me any harm" I can come up with a reason why I am doing it! EBF DS for 9.5MO now and planning to continue indefinitely DS loves his boob so much don't know that I will ever get them back. Wondering what on earth I will do when I go back to work in 3months!
Title: Re: Reasons to be proud!
Post by: Little toes on July 31, 2010, 00:08:33 am
So glad I read this. I had such a rough start bfing dd. I cried and cried, she couldn't latch and I was at bf clinic for 6wks. But I stuck with it, had a goal of 4mo, then 6mo, and now I'm nearing 9mo! I talked to dh about her self weaning, prefers flow of bottle and doesn't like to bf when it's hot....but he said that I exceeded his expectations and to be honest I've exceeded my own! I'm gonna miss it, but I feel like it's time to let it go. Plus those little teeth of hers are making it uncomfortable. Why does stopping bf make mums cry? I guess I'll miss the quiet closeness.
Title: Re: Reasons to be proud!
Post by: Erin (redstarfalling) on December 04, 2010, 02:25:14 am
Haven't been on here for ages, it seems, but I used to be a regular....to put it mildly!  ;)

"Why does stopping bf make mums cry?"  That almost made me cry.  It's been a little over 2 years since I weaned my last one.  She just turned 4, and I still miss it. I love seeing her "nurse" her own Baby, or get me to (she says I have more "milk" than she does)  ::)

It's been so long since I've breastfed one of my girls, but sometimes if I sit really still, and close my eyes, I can almost feel what it was like....the quiet sounds (or loud humming and grunting in some cases!), the closeness, the satisfaction, and sheer happiness that I was able to do this for my daughters. 

For all of you who've struggled so hard to breastfeed, and for those for whom it came as naturally as breathing, you've done an amazing thing. Definitely be proud.  :)
Title: Re: Reasons to be proud!
Post by: Yazzie on December 04, 2010, 22:08:05 pm
Lovely post Erin!..ds is 18 months and we seem to be starting the end of our BF-ing journey, so today when we were out, I saw a mum feeding her baby, and that just brought back so many wonderful memories that i will cherish for as long as I live, never though I'd be so hung up on BF-ing....lol
Title: Re: Reasons to be proud!
Post by: shivi on December 04, 2010, 22:12:15 pm
For all of you who've struggled so hard to breastfeed, and for those for whom it came as naturally as breathing, you've done an amazing thing. Definitely be proud.

I had a "one of each" scenario and have to say I am so so proud of both - Oscar was easy-peasy (but I didn't appreciate it at the time) and Emma was plain difficult xxx

It's been almost half a year since she self-weaned :-(((
Title: Re: Reasons to be proud!
Post by: Vicku on December 05, 2010, 20:39:36 pm
Thanks for that lovely post Erin! We've missed you!

There sure is something magic about the breastfeeding bond between mother and baby...
I'm so glad we're still going and I know I will feel sad when she weans, whenever that will be...
Title: Re: Reasons to be proud!
Post by: LifeGiver on January 09, 2011, 18:09:41 pm
I was really glad to read this, specially after so many problems I've had with my DD being a terrible BFer...

She's 3.5mo and I see our BF relationship coming to an early weaning. But specially after this post I feel proud of fighting to be getting any amount of BM on her and be still doing it after all the struggle!

Thanks, dear. It made my day!
Title: Re: Reasons to be proud!
Post by: nirtak on June 01, 2011, 19:11:14 pm
I was devastated when we had to stop at 6 months, so thank you :-*

Dito!
With my first, it didn't work out at all. Now with my second I wasn't even be able to make it past 2 months, because of some sucking issues. We have been trying SO hard! Have been pumping since then, but am going to wean now. Have to cry every day about this apparently wonderful thing called nursing I was deprived of. So, thanks for making me feel worse!
Title: Re: Reasons to be proud!
Post by: SylvieA on June 02, 2011, 03:06:47 am
This thread isn't supposed to make you feel worse, but to make you feel better with any amount of BM you've given your LO. Read the first page again and you'll see that your LO's benefited from any amount you've given them. You should be proud for that, and not beat yourself up.

If we were all exposed to breastfeeding from an early age, as they did say 100yrs ago, then we'd have a higher success rate. Then you always had a mother, aunt, family friend and so on breastfeed and they didn't hide to feed baby, so it made it more natural for a women feed their baby, as she had seen it done before and had lots of experience women around to help.
Title: Re: Reasons to be proud!
Post by: Erin (redstarfalling) on June 04, 2011, 12:29:28 pm
Nirtak, sometimes no matter what we do - how hard we try - the breastfeeding just won't happen.  It's not natural or easy for everyone.  Many people have to work really hard at even getting through the first few weeks and I applaud those moms! (Like you!)  It takes a lot of strength to make the effort and to stick with it for as long as you can - whether that be days or weeks, or whatever.  You made the effort and that's something to be proud of.  It also shows strength to stop when it's obvious breastfeeding isn't working for your or your lo.  You gave your baby what you could with respect to your milk, and you'll keep giving your lo the other parts of parenting that are just as important - the love and the nurturing.  Yes, it can be a very disappointing and saddening experience when you had set your heart on something different, but it's not a failure.  You've succeeded to the degree that your and your lo were able to.  Sending you hugs and I hope you'll eventually be able to look back on your experience with less disappointment and more pride at the challenges you were facing and were working though.
Title: Re: Reasons to be proud!
Post by: Mom-o on October 05, 2011, 18:46:57 pm
I knew breast is best from a young age. I pretended with dollies etc. My mom was a community support mother for new moms so I was surrounded by it.

Well ten months ago I gave birth and had a beautiful DD and had a rough start to our BF relationship. Reflux, milk protein intolerance amoung a list of things that didn't help. All of which are best treated by breastfeeding.
My DH just said some nights when I wanted to give up "just one more day". That got me through so much. Here I am ten months on and I love feeding her. She is developing so well and evryone exclaims what a pleasant child she is.

The newest thing I learned is that breastfeeding has protected my DD for the affects of my newly diagnosed PPD. Holding her close has protected our bond and actually more than likely protected me from getting into a really dark place.

I'm proud of BreastFeeding because our bond couldn't even be broken by depression.
Title: Re: Reasons to be proud!
Post by: Yazzie on October 15, 2011, 11:06:54 am
I guess Danielle is that there's a big issue with the picture of a perfect breastfeeding experience being told to everyone, while not all people have such an easy experience and don't realize that it takes work on establish it sometimes, and so end up giving up!

So glad you kept going :-*
Title: Re: Reasons to be proud!
Post by: Mom-o on October 16, 2011, 16:01:56 pm
I completely agree Yazzie. If they were more open to how hard it could be more moms would be mentally prepared to dig their heals in and work hard at getting established.
Title: Re: Reasons to be proud!
Post by: *happy* on June 05, 2012, 14:51:42 pm
fantastic reading...heartfelt thanks...x
Title: Re: Reasons to be proud!
Post by: LuensMummy on June 09, 2012, 16:21:51 pm
Breast feeding is HARD work. I was nieve and thought that since my sister and my mum had done it, I'd be a natural. HA! How wrong can you be?! We had a very rocky start, a few weeks of 'alright' and then from about 3 weeks until LO was 7 weeks old I had to use nipple shields. Now, at 4months he's primarily BF, with one formula feed for the DF and I'm expressing to build up stores for leaving him with DP and heading back to work as I hope to at least offer one feed a day and continue BF over the weekends once I return to work.

I am proud. I am bloody glad I stuck with it and dug my heels in. I know I would have looked back when I was older and regretted not sticking with it. I'm also not at all surprised that so many women give up on it because it effing kills to start with, is hard work and you think Pamela Anderson has lent you her breasts when your milk comes in. I would recommend to anyone doing BF to get a good support network, without my sister I wouldn't have stuck with it. She really helped me, coming into hospital to help with feeds twice and doing it again once we were finally at home.

One day at a time was my moto when I began it. One day of BF gives your baby HEAPS of vital goodies. Even ONE day! Hoorah for the boob!
Title: Re: Reasons to be proud!
Post by: Fiver on June 09, 2012, 18:25:48 pm
What a great testimony - thanks for sharing :)
Title: Re: Reasons to be proud!
Post by: Khalam's Mama on June 09, 2012, 20:24:59 pm
Great Job LM