We all know the importance of breastfeeding because breast milk is the best nutritional option for your baby, if at all possible. But did you know that breastfeeding can play a vital role in mother and child bonding during the first hour of life? Giving birth is such a beautiful, life changing experience. Even through the difficulties, even if it's really hard or traumatic, when all is said and done you are handed this precious little bundle of baby that makes it all worthwhile. Then all you want to do is hold your little one and get those first few minutes of bonding in. It is typical in hospital births, however, for the baby to be … [Read more...]

We all know how great breastfeeding is, right? It's probably one of the most amazing gifts God has given mothers to put in our mothering tool belt. But, what if I told you that your amazing milk-producing glandular tissue was capable of even more wonderful feats than you previously imagined? No, they cannot clean the kitchen for you, or play taps, but they are certainly magnificent! What if you learned a fact that was a game changer for you? If you are on the fence about whether or not to breastfeed, then pull up a chair, drink a glass of bubbly and set a while with me. If breastfeeding feels like a no-brainer for you; well, this article … [Read more...]

You probably know her as Blossom from the 90s sitcom of the same name. You may recognize her as Amy Fowler on The Big Bang Theory. But she is more than a talented actress. Armed with a Ph.D in neuroscience and a knack for research, Mayim Bialik is now a champion of "attachment parenting" in her new book, Beyond the Sling: A Real-Life Guide to Raising Confident, Loving Children the Attachment Parenting Way. Breastfeeding Place had an opportunity to interview Mayim about her thoughts on breastfeeding older children. She offers moms who want to try extended breastfeeding some encouraging words. Has extended breastfeeding impacted your … [Read more...]

Breastfeeding toddlers is a whole other ball game. Most likely the days of latch and supply issues, falling asleep during a feeding, and weight gain concerns are things of the past. Now, your only goal in life is to keep your nipple attached to your body! So how can an extended season of breastfeeding be enjoyable for mom, too? Curiosity Curiosity kills the cat...or the nipples. As babies grow older, their desire for independence and their curiosity for the world around them grows, too. The smallest sound causes them to "pop off" and sometimes forget to open their mouths. Ouch! Babies who are used to a particular environment (such as … [Read more...]

Most new mothers know, or suspect, that there are things they need to do to prepare for successful breastfeeding. Perhaps you've signed up for a breastfeeding class, or gotten advice from experienced friends, or read a dozen breastfeeding books. No matter how much you try to prepare, there will likely still be things that you have to learn along the way. I have three breastfeeding experiences to reflect on, and each one has been different. In the last 5+ years of my breastfeeding career, there are a few things that have presented particularly surprising obstacles... . Traumatic Birth Experience If either baby or mom have a tough time during … [Read more...]

Congrats! You are pregnant and you’ve decided to start thinking about how you will be feeding your little one once he or she arrives. The decision may come easily for some, but for others, the choice between bottle and breast is one that takes some thinking. Here are several advantages and disadvantages of breastfeeding if you're having a hard time deciding if breastfeeding is for you. Advantages of Breastfeeding Breastfeeding can lower illness in babies, such as ear infections, allergies, respiratory issues, colds and viruses, diabetes, insulin dependent diabetes, a number of childhood cancers and ovarian cancer and breast … [Read more...]

When it comes to breastfeeding support, few organizations are as well known as La Leche League International (LLLI). When it comes to breastfeeding resources, few are as time-tested and thorough as the La Leche League guidebook The Womanly Art of Breastfeeding. This book, now in its eighth edition, is a 550+ page volume covers breastfeeding basics, the stages of baby and toddlerhood, breastfeeding troubleshooting, and so much more. It's truly more than just your average book on breastfeeding! The Womanly Art of Breastfeeding to My Rescue Eight and a half years ago I became a young, inexperienced, insecure, and terribly overwhelmed new mom … [Read more...]

Disadvantages of breastfeeding? Really? We're going to talk about this topic on a breastfeeding site? Yup. I was recently asked to write a guest post for The Humbled Homemaker and chose to write on this topic. Originally, I thought it was this website was a better platform...because I certainly couldn't write about this topic on a breastfeeding website, right? Wrong. One of the reasons I wanted to write this post is because I know—thanks to companies like Google—hundreds of women are searching for information about the disadvantages of breastfeeding. Women want to know what the disadvantages are. I probably wouldn't typically call them … [Read more...]