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.