Happy World Breastfeeding Week!

This week is world breastfeeding week, and for those of you that know me well, you know that I can't just let this week pass by without at least mentioning that "breast is best" (come on if I failed to do that I might as well give back my MPH).

In honor of world breastfeeding week, let me share a very quick recap of my "nursing" experience- for those of you uncomfortable with breastfeeding or that just dont want to read about it (because really, who does?), just skip to the next post, the next few paragraphs are all about breastfeeding. Before Michael was born I knew that I wanted to breastfeed him. I read the books, did research on the topic in grad school (focus group and everything), forced my classmates to go along with breastfeeding related projects (yes even my male classmates), and attended the class at the hospital. I was pretty sure I was set. Prior to actually needing to breastfeed I do have to admit that the idea of actually doing it myself seemed... strange and a little weird. I hate to admit that because I know the benefits, but there is a part of my personality that doesnt like to be touched and let's face it, breastfeeding involves a bit more touching than formula feeding. Anyway, I did my research in advance, Brian was on board, and I even received my snazzy pump in the mail (more on this later, but I highly recommend the one I have) and then Michael was born. At the hospital everything went right- there were a few hiccups, one of them being the actual hiccups, but we pushed through. When he didnt want to eat at first (because he was too sleepy) we did "skin to skin" time, we met with the lactation consultants (did I mention this is what I want to be when I grow up?) to discuss feeding positions and proper latch techniques, and we requested he be brought to us when he was hungry. I am pretty sure that poor guy didnt get any food in the hospital, but the important thing was that we tried, but then we came home. We knew the theory, and even had the technique down enough that if Michael could stay away I am pretty sure he could have gotten something, and while the process wasnt as easy or painfree (he has strong gums) as I had hoped I was pretty sure with some practice we could make it work... and then we went to the pediatrician. I should say that our pediatrician was out so we saw another in her office, I love our pediatrician she is wonderful- I interviewed her in advance, but this other one... not so much. After Michael was weighed and it was determined that he had lost weight (not more than 10% of his birth weight though) she strongly recommended we give him formula. Not only that, but she offered information like "if you breastfeed you dont know how much he is getting", "you dont know if he is getting what he needs", and "you need to supplement with formula". Please keep in mind that at this point Michael was all of three days old, and I was all of three days from having a baby- I was teary to begin with and oh did I mention it hurt to sit and I was sleep deprived? So the news that we "needed" to supplement his food and the huge bag of formula samples was devastating to me. We went home and I tried to feed him, but it was so painful (remember the strong gums) and I was so paranoid he wasnt getting what he needed. At some point, the pump was taken out of the box and used (and I knew how much he was getting), and yes we even tried to give him the formula. I left the room when this happened. It was too sad, here was my sweet baby and they were forcing this stuff down his throat. I knew formula has its' place, and he may eventually eat it regularly, but at that point it was just too sad. Giving the baby formula was a colossal fail, not only did he not like it but he cried, made a sad face, and wouldnt eat it (or much of it)- so we gave up on the formula, and wouldnt you guess, when we went back the doctor two days later to see about his weight loss he had gained weight... not lost it, even though he didnt take the formula. Anyway from that point we have given up on the formula, for now Michael is a breastfed baby, which works great because he wont eat the formula and well there is that part about it being good for him. He will take a bottle, but it has to have his normal food in it- did I mention how the pump is a lifesaver... get one. Anyway now we breastfeed (because "women lactate, moms and babies breastfeed) and while I cant say it is the most comfortable experience it works. The little guy is gaining weight (and I'm losing it), he likes this food better, and oh yeah it's free

While Michael and I wont be participating in any community events for world breastfeeding week let me just say we will be supporting the cause 8-12 times daily (remember when I was worried about how I would fill my time after the baby was born, well this is how). Happy World Breastfeeding Week!

Random cute photo of Mikey... this is what happens when he listens to George Strait

Mid morning snack. I know he is eating a bottle here, but it is still breastmilk, plus I am not comfortable having photos taken nursing, let alone posting them on the internet. We had been getting ready to go somewhere, and I needed to bring food with us, as soon as I was ready to go, he was ready to eat. So he ate his food from the bottle and we decided to put off the errand for an hour while he slept (he is sleeping now)