I attempted to breastfeed each of my children and became more successful with each attempt. I had my first daughter at the age of 21, and for reasons I won’t go into this article, I didn’t have my mother around or my mother-in-law available to teach me the basics of motherhood. I felt lost and frustrated when my daughter didn’t initially “latch on,” so I gave up when she was around nine weeks old.
When I had my second child at 22, I breastfed and formula-fed her until she was around seven months old, when I switched entirely to formula. I was a stay-at-home mom then and went back to the workforce briefly, so formula feeding seemed the most convenient.
Lastly, I had my son at the age of 30. My son has, by far, received the best version of me. By the time my son was born, I was better at mothering because I had learned a lot through research and trial and error. Although a working mom, I breastfed my son until he was two. I would pump milk at work for him to use the next day and then breastfeed him anytime I was home.
Due to my varying experiences breastfeeding my children, I highly recommend that all mothers who can do so breastfeed their children. In this article, I will discuss a few of the reasons I believe that breastfeeding is important.
Healthy and Nutritious for your baby
Breast milk has all the nutrients and antibodies your child needs to grow and develop. Babies that are breastfed are less likely to develop allergies, eczema, ear infections, and stomach problems. According to Medicine Plus, even mothers who smoke should breastfeed their children to cancel out some of the risks of secondhand smoke.
Breastfeeding has many health benefits for the mother
Breastfeeding can reduce a mother’s risk of breast and ovarian cancer due to some of the hormones that are released during lactation. Breastfeeding is also a very quick way to lose the baby weight. I experienced this firsthand during the first few months of breastfeeding my son.
Bonding
In my opinion, bonding is the most important reason to breastfeed. The physical closeness that mother and child experience during breastfeeding helps create a very natural bond.
Despite being a working mom during my son’s entire seven years of life, he and I are much more bonded than I am with my older children. I reflect on life and regret not trying harder to breastfeed my two oldest daughters. My son is very attached to me, and we share an exceptional bond that I believe was created mostly from breastfeeding.
Conclusion
Breastfeeding is one of the most important things a mother can do for her child. It is healthier for the baby and the best way to build a solid foundation of closeness with your child. However, it is important to note that breastfeeding is not possible for all mothers. A mother with HIV or AIDS should avoid breastfeeding. Additionally, a mother with alcohol or drug addiction or taking certain prescription drugs should avoid breastfeeding. You should consult with your doctor or healthcare provider if you believe breastfeeding may put your child at risk.
