Posted in Lessons I Have Learned

Nearly 4000 Mom's joined together to nurture their babies and break the Guiness Book of World records in Manilla this weekend.  Click here to read the news story.

When I was pregnant with my 1st child 15 years ago I had never seen a woman nurse her child.  I grew up in the Midwest in the 60's and 70's and breastfeeding just wasn't done.  Before I even had a chance to think about it my husband told me he wanted our children to be breastfed.  I must admit at first a little streak of fear went through me...But then I started reading about the benefits of breastfeeding and I knew I had to do this for my child. So we decided to breastfeed. Unfortunatley, we lost our 1st child and it was 4 more years before I had the opportunity to have a nursing relationship with my child. When we decided to  breastfeed never did I dream what a blessing nursing would be for me!  I treausure the thousand of hours I got to spend snuggling my litttle nurslings.  Although each of them have had different needs and personalities, nursing was always a great way to slow down and connect with each of them, spending special one on one time meeting their needs. 

When I had my 1st son I remember hearing that the difference between breastfeeding and nursing is how long you do it.  I nursed my 3 children for a combined total of 6 1/2 years and I found this statement to be very true.  At first I was breastfeeding to meet their nutritional needs.  As time passed it because more about nurturing them by nursing.  All of my kids weaned at their own pace.  (#1 at 1, #2 at 3 1/2 and # 3 at 2. Although I must admit #2 I promted a bit since by time she was 31/2 her baby brother was 1 and I nursed through pregnancy and tandem nursed for a year. I even nursed her while I was in labor!  One of the side benefits of having babies at home!  LOL)  All of my kids are very health and bright.  Don't get me wrong, I know there are situations where kids are nursed and still have health and learning problems.  But the point is this is a wonderful gift we can give to our children and ourselves that benefit us both.  Now that I have finally retired from nursing I can truly say I treasure the all the memories of my nursing career and would do it all again in a heartbeat!

Nursing related sites:

LaLeche League - Breatfeeding Support
Elizabeth Lee Designs - Awesome Patterns for Nursing Clothes
Maya Wraps - Baby Wearing Slings (These are great for discreet nursing as well as baby carrying.)
Make your own Baby Sling - Rebozo Instructions  (I had dozens of slings through the years and I made them all.)

But we proved to be gentle among you, as a nursing mother tenderly cares for her own children. 1 Thessalonians2:7