2007 World Breastfeeding Awareness Week - August 1-7

Today, August 1, starts the 2007 World Breastfeeding Awareness Week. I've decided to take part by adding a logo and link on the side of my blog and adding this entry.

Breastfeeding is so natural and a wonderful thing to provide babies! There are still SO many people out there that are uneducated and resort to formula because "they just don't know." I, personally, was unfamiliar with it and didn't know many people firsthand who had ever breastfed. My mother formula-fed all three of her children, so she couldn't offer any advice. In addition to Lactation Consultants at our local hospital, I was lucky to have an online message board (Waiting Women) where I could go for help. Thankfully, I didn't have any problems adjusting to our new temporary lifestyle. Christopher was a champion nurser from Day 1 and I had no discomfort at all. I only had 1 minor hurdle down the road, but overcame that quite easily. However, many women aren't that lucky and have a hard time learning how it all works. Those same women are more likely to give up when they get frustrated. That's where they desperately need all the help and support they can get!

Formula companies seem to have the upper hand. Sure, they say, "Breast is best," but they're ultimately trying to sell their product...formula. I absolutely understand that there are women out there unable to breastfeed and that have to resort to formula. However, I also believe that a woman should at least TRY to breastfeed before giving up.

I was fortunate to breastfeed Christopher until he was almost 17 months old. I only gave it up when I wanted to switch to my regular birth control pill (was told by my doctor that I could go back on it after I'd weaned). Only after I'd almost finished weaning Christopher did I learn that the only side effect of taking regular birth control pills while breastfeeding is a possible decrease in milk supply. If I'd known that BEFORE weaning Christopher, I'd have taken my chances!

We've come a long way in promoting breastfeeding! However, we still have a long way to go! Let's continue to spread the word!