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| Nursing Your Babe |
| "....thou art He that took me out of the womb: thou didst make me hope when I was upon my mother's breasts." Psalm 22:9 |
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| That is just one of MANY passages in the Bible which mentions nursing. It is not surprising to hear nursing mentioned in the Bible. It was considered to be a normal, natural part of life. No one would have given it a second thought. In fact many babies would have died were it not for the breasts. God doesn't make mistakes. These bodies that he has given us to grow a life, a child, were perfectly created, not only to nourish that child while it was inside of us, but also to nourish the child for the first years of it's life on the "outside". It is a beautiful thing. It is designed by God. And it is our children's right to be nursed as God intended. This is something I feel very strongly about as I feel that it is our responsibility as mothers. Yes, we all know that breastmilk is best but so many moms out there end up not nursing because of a lack of education, a lack of support and bad advice, much of which comes from Dr's who have said that mom just doesn't make enough milk (and that is a load of crock in most cases as that problem is extremely rare). Poor latch, scheduled feedings, interventions in birth, all of these things can affect the nursing relationship or cause a mother's milk supply to decrease and baby not to gain. |
| "Rejoice with Jerusalem and be glad for her, all you who love her; rejoice greatly with her, all you who mourn over her. For you will nurse and be satisfied at her comforting breasts; you will drink deeply and delight in her overflowing abundance." For this is what the LORD says: "I will extend peace to her like a river, and the wealth of nations like a flooding stream; you will nurse and be carried on her arm and dandled on her knees. As a mother comforts her child, so will I comfort you; and you will be comforted over Jerusalem."Isaiah 6:10-13 |
| You know what? I don't need to sit here and try to convince you that nursing is best. Everyone knows that nursing is best. Everyone knows that it is in God's design, a part of His plan for mothers growing and raising babies. It is natural to give mamma milk to babies. The problem is convincing moms to nurse despite lack of support, lack of convenience (though I think it is far more convenient than bottlefeeding) and lack of knowledge. My hope is that this page and these links will allow you to educate yourself about nursing and to gain confidence so that you can do what you KNOW is best for your child. |
| The Bible and Breastfeeding Breastfeeding and the Bible - EXCELLENT! How Breastfeeding Honors God Breastfeeding in the Bible - verses Breastfeeding God's Way Design in Infant Nutrition - from the Institute for Creation Research |
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| I have always known I would nurse my babies. I had seen my mother nurse my youngest sister and to me there was no other option. I figured I would nurse for 6mo. or until baby got teeth because I did not like the idea of being bitten! Then, after a bit of research, I figured that baby's health was more important than my own desires so I figured I would stop at 1 yr. because I didn't want to nurse a toddler. But after my first was born my momma instincts kicked in and I realized that my child's health and security were my number one priority and if that meant nursing past a year then I would do that despite what others thought. I am currently tandem nursing my almost 3yr old and my 1 yr old. It gives me great satisfaction to know that I am meeting their needs and I wouldn't do things any other way. |
| Nursing is Natural? Yes, absolutely it is! But just because it is natural for momma to nurse baby, just because breastmilk is the most perfectly designed and natural food for baby, doesn't mean it comes *naturally* for mom and baby. There could be many reasons why a mother and child may have problems establishing nursing. No mother should expect to latch a baby on and it be smooth sailing till baby happily weans herself at age 2! Years ago, older and experienced women and mothers helped new moms in the beginning stages of nursing and were there for support throughout. But unfortunately, in today's society, many of our mothers not only didn't breastfeed but are actually hostile towards those who do. That is why support from an outside source like a lactation consultant or the La Leche League is vital to ensure breastfeeding success. And it would also help to make sure your Dr. is 100% supportive of exclusive nursing as well as surrounding yourself with other nursing mammas. Just because you have a hard time of it doesn't mean you are a failure. Your child will benefit from your perserverance and you will too. |
| Katherine Dettwyler's Thoughts on Breastfeeding - excellent, excellent site with tons of thought provoking articles by anthropolgist Dettwyler KellyMom - one of the most comprehensive breastfeeding sites on the web. Kelly covers everything nursing related (as well as other parenting info.) and has a great section on herbs and breastfeeding. This is the first site I go to for nursing info. Breastfeeding Info. from Dr. Sears - Articles from Pediatrition William Sears on advantages, common problems, tenichques, milk supply, challenges, BF while working, medications etc. |
| More Great Sites Promotion of Mother's Milk Inc (ProMom) The Militant Breastfeeding Cult Breastfeeding.com Adoptive Breastfeeding Resources Breastfeeding and the Law - from LLL |
| Breastfeeding Support La Leche League International International Lactation Consultants Association Virginia Breastfeeding Task Force The Complete Mother Magazine |
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| More Helpful Breastfeeding Links |
| some of this pages graphics provided by: |
| nursing my 1 wk old son |
| nursing my 8mo. old daughter |