Another Day of Waiting

Just a short blog to say that the baby is still in utero.  No big changes.  I head to the midwife tomorrow to see what the plan is for the rest of this pregnancy.

We did have a little adventure this morning.  The boys were sent out to clean the garage (nesting at its finest is getting others to do the cleaning...no it was their mess so made sense that they clean).  Michael went out to mow the lawn.  He got a little too close to the bee hive we have in the field and ended up getting stung on his ear and behind.  He is allergic but we quickly got some allergy medication into him and he will be OK.  It just made him a little swollen and irritable but hoping all is OK tomorrow.

While that was happening, I thought I would take the time to re-read one of my favorite books, The Womanly Art of Breastfeeding.  A must read for anyone expecting and especially ones who plan to breastfeed.  I thought this was fitting because of the obvious timing but also because this month is considered Breastfeeding Awareness month.

There are SO MANY benefits to breastfeeding for mother and child.  Here are just a few:

Early breast milk (colostrum) is the thick yellow first breast milk that you make during pregnancy and just after birth. This milk is very rich in nutrients and antibodies to protect your baby.  Colostrum changes into what is called mature milk. By the third to fifth day after birth, this mature breast milk has just the right amount of fat, sugar, water, and protein to help your baby continue to grow.

Breast milk is easier for the baby to digest than formula.  The hormones and antibodies in breast milk protect babies from illness. This protection is unique; formula cannot match the chemical makeup of human breast milk.

Breastfeeding may take a little more effort than formula feeding at first. But it can make life easier once you and your baby settle into a good routine. Plus, when you breastfeed, there are no bottles and nipples to sterilize. You do not have to buy, measure, and mix formula. And there are no bottles to warm in the middle of the night!  Saving money and time is a good thing for any budget!

Breastfeeding is linked to a lower risk of these health problems in women:

• Type 2 diabetes
• Breast cancer
• Ovarian cancer
• Postpartum depression

Experts are still looking at the effects of breastfeeding on osteoporosis and weight loss after birth. Many studies have reported greater weight loss for breastfeeding mothers than for those who don’t.


From personal experience, I can tell you that there is no better way to bond with your newborn.  It is such a beautiful experience.  I would not have it any other way.  I have had to breastfeed in college classes, at work, and in public places many times.  I know the hardships that people throw in mother's faces to NOT breastfeed but with a little extra work (no more than formula takes) it is do-able and worth the effort.

I am looking forward to nursing another little one into the toddler years!