Breastfeeding Decisions Should be Well Known

Expecting mothers have a lot on their mind. Sometimes they put things off or simply just don’t believe that a certain topic applies to them. However, things can unexpectedly change and it’s a good idea to be prepared for that. It is important to learn everything about breastfeeding, even if it isn’t something being planned. 

First of all, breastfeeding is a very personal choice and you should never let anyone make you feel pressured. It isn’t uncommon for expecting mothers to be bombarded with material and continually questioned about their choice of breastfeeding. Some people even go as far as to insult those who don’t plan to breastfeed. They will tell them how terrible of a person they must be or say that they must not love their precious little one very much if they aren’t willing to give them the best start in life. These people may have good intentions but they are dead wrong. Breastfeeding is a mother’s choice and it should be respected either way.

Certainly, it has been proven time and time again that breast milk is the absolute best food for a baby. Even the American Academy of Pediatrics states that babies should be breastfed for a bare minimum of 12 months. In many cultures and countries around the world children are breastfeed well into the toddler years, and for as long as the little one wants to continue to do so. Some people may consider this weird, but the USA is actually one of the only areas that seem to shy away or look down on such practices.

Some mothers will specifically have it set in their mind they are just not going to even attempt to breastfeed their little one when they are born. This is completely their choice! However, there are times that when a new mother holds their baby for the first time they do a complete 360. Suddenly, the urge is there and they decide that breastfeeding is something they are compelled to do after all. Unfortunately, not having any knowledge of breastfeeding can be the cause of much heartache when they fail to be able to successfully breastfeed.

An expecting mother should always be armed with some basic knowledge about they way a baby takes to breastfeeding, or doesn’t. Babies who are given a bottle immediately or soon after being born can become accustomed to the bottle nipple, even though they naturally will look for mom’s nipple if given the opportunity. This is important to know because should a mother suddenly decide they want to breastfeed, they need to make this bluntly known to all those around her; this include family, nurses, and anyone who will handle the baby. The last thing she wants to happen is a nurse gives the baby a bottle because they were not aware of the mother’s wishes.

Some hospitals even have little tags to put on the babies bed to alert everyone the baby should not be given a bottle at anytime. If it doesn’t then the mother will have to go out of her way to ensure the entire staff knows her breastfeeding wishes.