A More Well-Rounded Picture of Breastfeeding
We all know that breastfeeding provides babies with essential nutrients and boosts their immunities to illness. It also offers a time for special bonding between mother and baby. Magazines, television shows, books and other mothers all seem to provide so much information about these aspects of breastfeeding. The experience is presented in such a storybook manner that many new mothers are taken off-guard when their baby is born and things do not go as smoothly as expected.
Don’t get me wrong; I’m not saying that you shouldn’t breastfeed. I breastfed my daughter, but definitely had some struggles in the beginning. Despite that, I am certainly not saying that I wouldn’t do it again. I think that it gave her a great start in life and I am happy that I could do that for her. What I don’t understand is why so many new mothers are blindsided by the reality of the breastfeeding experience. Could it be that the troubling parts are often avoided?
Cracked and bleeding nipples, blocked ducts, leaking, engorgement, nipple confusion, low milk supply and painful letdown – these are just a few of the problems that can arise during breastfeeding, according to babycenter.com. The information is out there, but somehow it is overshadowed by the inundation of glowing points. I guess it is understandable that so much of what is written on the topic is positive. After all, no one wants to scare mothers away from giving breast milk to their babies.
It is harder to comprehend though, the reason that so few seasoned mothers share the real experiences that would better prepare the newest members of the mommy club. Maybe they are also afraid of scaring others off; maybe after a period of time they just forget the tough times or possibly they really do feel that they had a fairytale experience. Who knows the real reason?
Regardless, breastfeeding is a fantastic thing, but if you are planning to breastfeed it is a great idea to gather a well-rounded picture of breastfeeding before the big arrival so that you can help head off any problems.
Posted by eMommie Blogger Kim P.- Mom to Findlay
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Tags: Babies, Baby, breast milk, breastfeeding, breastfeeding problems, feeding problems, mother, mothers
