Why don't all mummys breastfeed?

I had an interesting conversation about breastfeeding with my eight year old daughter last night. She asked me at bedtime, completely out of the blue, why some mummys don't breastfeed.

I tried to explain to her that some mummys don't want to because they don't know or believe how good it is for them and their babies if they breastfeed. I also told her that some mummys don't like the idea of breastfeeding or some just find that they can't. That seemed to satisfy her briefly.

Then she wanted to know why breastfeeding was so good for mummys and their babies. So I explained to her lots of the benefits of breastfeeding such as building up the babies immunity, the reduced likelihood of ear infection and tummy bugs, the reduced risk of cotdeath and the reduction of some cancers in both mummys and their babies.

Again, that satisfied her briefly.

Then she wanted to know what happens if a mummy has twins and decides to breastfeed only one of them! (Is there no end to my daughter's inquisitiveness?) So I explained that it is possible to breastfeed both babies but if only one was breastfed then it would get all the benefits but that its twin wouldn't.

At this point she sighed and said to me, "Mummy, I think all mummy's should breastfeed, don't you?"

How lovely is that? And to hear it coming from my very own first little breastfed baby was such a special moment! She often points out how she taught me how to be a mummy... she also taught me how to be a breastfeeding mummy and now she's old enough to let me know what she thinks, I know for certain I did the very right thing by choosing to breastfeed all three of my beautiful babies!

Comments

[Suzie]

I breastfed my son until he was 15 months old and he lost interest. Now I am 7 months in with my second. Although I believe nursing is the way to go, I found as I was sitting in the park with my boob hanging out as my baby fussed and passing strangers stared at my boobs I was not feeling so wonderful about it. It's hard, really hard, sometimes. I sometimes feel like my body is no longer my own. I'm gonna keep going, but boy I wish I could give my hubby my boob for a little while and let him feed the baby!

[Sinead@BreastfeedingMums]

I know what you mean, Suzie. It can be difficult to keep going some days but every day you breastfeed is a bonus for both you and your baby. If possible, before and after your new baby is born, you should try to visit a breastfeeding support group just so you can share your experiences of breastfeeding and breastfeeding in public with other mothers... you'll soon realise you're not the only one who doesn't always find it easy :)

Good luck with the rest of your pregnancy and congratulations on giving your son such a wonderful start to his life.

By the way, it's okay to let your hubby feed the baby sometimes. Just express some milk and while he's doing the feeding, you go and have a bit of time for yourself :) :)