Archive for April, 2008

Benefits to Baby

• Breastfeeding is the most natural and nutritious way to encourage your baby’s development.
• Research shows that breastfed infants have fewer illnesses and milder effects when illness does occur.
• Studies show that breastfed babies have fewer ear and diarrheal infections.
• Breastfed preterm babies tend to have a higher IQ than their formula-fed peers.
• Breastfeeding offers babies emotional security because the skin-to-skin contact assists in reducing the stress babies experience as they enter the world from the safety of the womb.
• The activity of sucking at the breast while breastfeeding enhances the baby’s development of oral muscles and facial bones.
• Breastfed babies are less likely to develop respiratory infections, childhood diabetes and childhood lymphoma.
• Babies who are breastfed for less than six months have seven times the incidence of allergies as those who are breastfed longer than six months.
• Babies who are breastfed are 10 times less likely to be admitted to the hospital during the first year.
• Breastfeeding for one year or longer reduces the risk of diabetes by 50%.
• Babies who are exclusively breastfed for at least six months have a reduced risk of cancer before the age of 15.
• Breastfed babies are one-third less likely to die of SIDS.
• Breastfed children are four times less likely to contract the infections that cause meningitis.
• Vitamin A deficiency is reduced by breastfeeding.
• Both infants and mothers with genetic conditions can reap the benefits of breastfeeding.

Benefits of Breast Milk

• Neither the nutrients found in breast milk nor the special benefits these nutrients provide can be duplicated by any supplement.
• Colostrum is the perfect starter food for babies. It is found in breasts during pregnancy and begins to change into mature milk a few days after baby’s birth. Colostrum provides baby with an unmatched immunity against bacteria and viruses.
• Colostrum acts as a natural laxative for clearing baby’s intestine, thus decreasing chances of jaundice.
• Breast milk is a unique combination of fats, sugars, minerals, proteins, vitamins and enzymes — all customized to promote brain and body growth for an infant.
• Breast milk is always fresh, perfectly clean, just the right temperature, instantly available and the most nutritious feeding system for the lowest cost.

Benefits to Mother

• The ongoing production of milk in the mother burns calories, helping in weight loss after pregnancy.
• The milk-producing hormone, prolactin, is a wonderful by-product of breastfeeding. Called the “mothering hormone,” prolactin has a relaxing effect on mother and stimulates maternal instincts.
• Women who breastfeed reduce their chances of pre-menopausal breast cancer, cervical cancer and osteoporosis.
• Breastfeeding demands lower expenditures of mom’s energy than does artificial feeding.
• For every 1000 babies born in the U.S. each year, four die because they are not breastfed.

Yesterday Justin and I attended a Breast Feeding class to learn the basics of  feeding Melody properly. I enjoyed it as I saw different techniques and learned many new things. I think it’s one of those things you go into and wonder if you’ll be good at it. God made us to do it, so imagine once you start it’s one of the most natural things in world.  There were three other ladies also at the class , whom all but one had babies due in May.  I plan on breastfeeding for at least a year but I may breastfeed for a year and a half if I think she needs it.

I’m attempting to take it easy this week as the BIG MOVE is this weekend. The BIGGER I get the harder it is to get around. I also have been finding myself more sore, achy, dizzy, and tired!  Some days are better than others, so I am trying to get all the rest I can before the big delivery!

Today Melody and I had our 32 week Doctor’s appointment! We are both doing just great! I gained two lbs since last time so right on track in that department. Melody is turned the right way, head at the bottom feet near me ribs! Yay for that and her heart rate was at 150. So everything is looking fine and dandy as I’ve reached the over eight months pregnant mark! Only 7 weeks 5 days to go until her due date.

32 Weeks Pregnant