I’m talking about a hot topic today, friends! Breastfeeding!
Before I get into it though, I want to share that I feel very strongly about the importance of supporting every mother in her decision to breastfeed or formula feed her child. We all need to be encouraging to one another – especially to new moms.
It’s no secret that I breastfed The Boy. We were going strong until his was 16 months old. Then, BAM! He quit cold turkey. What a sad, sad day that was for me. Four years later and it still makes me a bit weepy.
One thing I recall most from the 16 months that I breastfed this sweet baby is that I was healthy. I was eating all the right things – no crummy snacks and empty calories. Everything I put into my mouth had a purpose. That purpose was to fuel my baby, yet it also provided me with great health benefits.
I was eating a lot of protein and carbohydrates. My meals were all well balanced and rarely included anything fried. On occasion, I would eat pizza and have a beer. But not to worry, I was pumping and storing that liquid gold like a champ – those rare beers were followed by a “pump and dump” session. And each time I questioned whether the beer was worth pouring that breast milk down the drain!
The baby weight dropped quickly after delivery, in just 3 months I was back in my pre-pregnancy jeans! A few months after that, I was down a size too! My skin was clear, my hair was growing like a weed, and surprisingly, I felt fairly energetic, too! Many people say that breastfeeding is best for the baby, but it’s often overlooked how great it is for mom, too.
You can learn more about how breastfeeding may boost a mom’s health as much as her baby’s on the Yahoo parenting website.
Although our days of breastfeeding are long behind us, our family is still thriving and committed to one another. We love having fun and incorporating good health – and goofing off – into our routine.
If you are (or were) a breastfeeding momma, did you notice the health benefits for you as well?
Also, if you’re a breastfeeding momma having difficulty getting things to “work” reach out to a local lactation consultation. They’re eager to assist and can offer helpful tips and advice to you.
I was selected for this opportunity as a member of Clever Girls and the content and opinions expressed here are all my own.
