BETTER THAN A TEDDYBEAR

Breastfeeding Is Not Just About Milk

Anyone who has ever nursed their baby can tell you that breastfeeding is about more than just milk. Just as God designed breastmilk to be the perfect food for babies, He also designed breastfeeding to be a superior way to comfort, reassure, and provide a sense of security for totally dependent creatures learning to adjust to scary life outside the womb. Nursing with mother's breast not only feeds baby's physical body, but it nourishes him emotionally, too. The umbilical cord connected mother to baby throughout pregnancy, and her body was his cradle. Usually for the first year or two of life (and sometimes longer), baby still craves frequent periods of "oneness" with Mommy, which can easily be provided by breastfeeding.

I have given birth to and cared for three babies--at this writing one is in my lap, having nursed himself to sleep. I breastfed all three of my sons, though returning to work led me to wean my first two boys prematurely. The atmosphere at my job was not favorable to successful breast pumping (I had to do it in a bathroom stall) and pressure was almost always on me to return to work before I was finished. I had no support or encouragement except from my husband, and my milk supply steadily dwindled. Oh, if I could go back and do it over! I would be much more aggressive in pursuing breastfeeding longer and more determined to find a way to survive without my income. As it was, I did not become a stay-at-home-mom until my second child was one year old.

When I conceived Tyler, my most recent baby, I knew I would breastfeed. I was ecstatic in the knowledge that I would be home with him always and not have to return to an outside job at 6 weeks. My husband has been from the get-go tremendously supportive of my desire to stay at home to raise our children (it's his desire, too) and agrees that Tyler should be breastfed. At the outset, I figured I would nurse a year. But since his birth, and after reading on the subject and talking with other mothers, I am now convinced that Tyler should be the one to decide when to wean. He will wean when he is ready, so I am prepared to breastfeed 2 or 3 years, or longer if he wants to.

Watching Tyler nurse is a treat for me, and enormously satisfying. There is no denying that it is a deeply pleasurable experience for him, which makes it one for me also. Tyler doesn't just lay limp with his mouth on my nipple, simply seeking to assuage his hunger. No, he gets into it! His eyes close in peaceful intoxication, as he sucks and swallows the sweet, familiar life-giving milk from a warm, soft part of his mommy. He smells my smell, which confirms my continued presence even when he isn't seeing me. Tiny hands hold, caress, pat, and rub my breast and knead my clothing or the blanket, and clutch at my hair if it happens to be dangling down. Often he moans softly in his enjoyment. In turn, I whisper endearments to him, stroke his cheek, pet his hairy little head, or tenderly massage his body. Breastfeeding addresses all five of his senses, making it the most complete nurturing experience a baby can have.

Particularly in the early days, the overwhelming comfort of suckling at my breast was enough to lull my little nursling to sleep. Now that he is older, nursing is still his favorite way to enter dreamland, but he also occasionally breaks from his blissful concentration to smile, coo, and babble affectionately to me. Then he puts his mouth back on my nipple, closes his eyes, and returns to that place of physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual euphoria. Nothing in this natural life pleases me more! How privileged I feel to be able to participate in this amazing experience.

Ty's most favorite scenario is when we crawl into bed together to nurse, cuddle, and nap--he in a diaper and me in my underwear. Babies love skin-to-skin contact. When breastfeeding on the couch or in a chair at home, if time permits, I sometimes remove my shirt entirely so that we can more fully enjoy the warmth and feel of each other's skin. I encourage fathers and siblings (where appropriate) to remove their shirts before cuddling with their babies, as this pleasure knows no age or gender and is not limited to just the Mom-baby relationship.

Even the sight of the Boppy (nursing pillow) or making the trip up the stairs to the master bedroom elicits excited wiggles and noises of expectant delight from Tyler. He is always happy at the prospect of nursing and is uninhibited in expressing that. It is a daily thrill for me to be able to provide my baby such joy and contentment.

After occasions of stress and crying caused by fear, pain, anger, hunger, tiredness, or other discomfort, nothing calms a baby more or faster than breastfeeding. My baby desperately latches on, heaves a deep sigh, and I can literally feel the tension in his body melt away as the familiar and pleasant sensations of suckling at my breast cause him to forget his distress. Very soon his tears are dry and he is either smiling and laughing again or asleep in the safety and comfort of my loving arms.

I realize that not all mothers will breastfeed and that there are many reasons for this decision. This article is not meant to make anyone feel guilty if they have conscientiously chosen to bottle-feed with solid reason. But babies are designed to breastfeed and they deserve to be breastfed. The best mothers and fathers, in my opinion, will choose to breastfeed if it is at all possible.

Did I say "fathers"? Yes, I did! Not that husbands and fathers can breastfeed, but babies are yours too, and you can and should encourage mothers and wives to nurse. Although the woman possesses the breasts, breastfeeding is legitimately a "couples" decision. It will involve both of you, affect both of your lives, and impact the baby you created together. Not only can you put in your two cents as the decision is being made, but you can also be Mom's constant cheerleader, her shield and defender from critics, and partner in locating help if things go wrong.

Education and support can be critical to a woman's resolve to breastfeed and to continue breastfeeding. Nipples often are sore the first week or two, but continued use toughens them up and nursing becomes a physically and emotionally pleasant experience for moms. Sometimes, however, nursing gets off to a rough start. Usually this can be overcome with encouragement, guidance, and when necessary, medical help. My first baby started out a "nipple nurser", which led to nipples so sore I cried during feedings. Reading a pamphlet on nursing helped me to teach my baby to latch on properly and the discomfort soon went away. With my current baby, I struggled seven months with the pain associated with mastitis and yeast on my nipples. But my mind and heart were so full of the benefits of breastfeeding, that even the threat of continued pain did not sway me from my commitment to provide the nursing experience to my son for as long as he needs it. I am SO GLAD that I exercised my faith and believed God for complete healing--Because of God's faithfulness, I am now looking forward to fully enjoying another year or two of nursing my beloved child.

If your young have been nursed or your baby is nursing now--FABULOUS! If you are expecting a child and considering breastfeeding, by all means it is the right thing to do and the best decision for your little one. If you are considering not breastfeeding, thinking that formula feedings can provide everything that breastfeedings can, I advise you do some homework and think again. Nutritionally, breastmilk is perfect and formula is not. Experientially, a bottle and a teddybear cannot adequately replace God's provision of mother's breast. I know moms and care-givers often hold the babies during bottle feedings, but it just isn't the same as nursing. And some breastfeeding is better than no breastfeeding. Legitimate obstacles aside, please don't let anything stop you from giving your baby the very best.

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NATURAL CHRISTIAN DIRECTORY