Hoo Hoos

After attending our local La Leche League meeting today, as we do every second Wednesday of the month, I realized that I had never done a post about breastfeeding. I guess it's become just the norm around here since Ava's birth 2 years and almost 4 months ago. Being breastfed myself as a child, (Thanks Mom!) made it just the normal thing to do, and we never put much thought into it, it just happened. Ava had no problems at all and loves her "Hoo hoos" as she has named them, and John has loved every minute of it. Are you reading that last line again? Yes, Ava STILL loves her "Hoo Hoos." We've been tandem nursing since John's birth 7 months ago. It's not something most choose to do but it has worked well for us.

I've yet to figure out why some folks are bothered by breastfeeding. In todays society where you see boobs on tv and in ads everywhere you turn, why are some bothered when they see someone using them for what they were designed for? God has designed the perfect tools for feeding our children, giving them just what they need; not too much, not too little... why not use them? Why would someone WANT to give their little baby formula? Looks like I'm asking a lot of whys... well, why breastfeed?... here's why...

BENEFITS FOR BABY:

• Breast milk is the most complete form of nutrition for infants. A mother's milk has just the right amount of fat, sugar, water, and protein that is needed for a baby's growth and development. Most babies find it easier to digest breast milk than they do formula.

• As a result, breastfed infants grow exactly the way they should. They tend to gain less unnecessary weight and to be leaner. This may result in being less overweight later in life.

• Premature babies do better when breastfed compared to premature babies who are fed formula.

• Breastfed babies score slightly higher on IQ tests, especially babies who were born pre-maturely.

BENEFITS FOR MOM:

• Nursing uses up extra calories, making it easier to lose the pounds of pregnancy. It also helps the uterus to get back to its original size and lessens any bleeding a woman may have after giving birth.

• Breastfeeding, especially exclusive breastfeeding (no supplementing with formula), delays the return of normal ovulation and menstrual cycles.

• Breastfeeding lowers the risk of breast and ovarian cancers, and possibly the risk of hip fractures and osteoporosis after menopause.

• Breastfeeding makes your life easier. It saves time and money. You do not have to purchase, measure, and mix formula. There are no bottles to warm in the middle of the night!

• A mother can give her baby immediate satisfaction by providing her breast milk when her baby is hungry.

• Breastfeeding requires a mother to take some quiet relaxed time for herself and her baby.

• Breastfeeding can help a mother to bond with her baby. Physical contact is important to newborns and can help them feel more secure, warm and comforted.

• Breastfeeding mothers may have increased self-confidence and feelings of closeness and bonding with their infants.

BENEFITS FOR SOCIETY:

• Breastfeeding saves on health care costs. Total medical care costs for the nation are lower for fully breastfed infants than never-breastfed infants since breastfed infants typically need fewer sick care visits, prescriptions, and hospitalizations.

• Breastfeeding contributes to a more productive workforce. Breastfeeding mothers miss less work, as their infants are sick less often. Employer medical costs also are lower and employee productivity is higher.

• Breastfeeding is better for our environment because there is less trash and plastic waste compared to that produced by formula cans and bottle supplies.

So, there you go! I'm off to go give someone some Hoo Hoo!