There are so many things I love about breastfeeding. It’s hard to condense them just to five.

 

But since we’re in the month of February… and because breastfeeding and love are also fabulous year-round…

here are the 5 things I love most about breastfeeding:

 

1) It’s The Thing That Has Brought Me And My Babies Closer

I can’t think of another excuse for holding or cuddling your baby so long.

 

Of course, you don’t need an excuse to cuddle or hold your baby, but breastfeeding gives you a unique opportunity and necessity to hold your baby for often 24/7, many days, many weeks, many months and several years.

 

2) My Babies Feel More Loved

I can honestly say that I think, feel and see that my babies feel more loved because they have been breastfed.

 

Breastfeeding isn’t just about transferring milk. It’s about the transfer of dedication. Commitment. Time. Love. Your CHILD’S best interest. An

d prioritizing your child.

It brings tears of joy to my eyes just thinking about the impact that GIVING all of these beautiful things has. Now, Imagine how KIDS FEEL RECEIVING this kind of nurturing:

• The energy behind each of these beautiful things.
• Imagine what it does to their heart.
• Their brain.
• Their psyche.
• Their being.
• Their soul.

Therefore:

In my book, every minute spent nourishing my baby’s body and soul has been worth it.

 

3) My Babies Have, Knock On Wood, Been Healthy

I have been blessed with healthy babies from birth, who maintained their health in large part due to being breastfed.

 

Even while being around other kids… in playdates, in classes, or out and about they usually don’t get sick.

 

And when they do get sick, they still have a positive disposition. They play. They dance. They keep their spirits up.

 

It sucks to know that kids get sick… but thankfully, the fact that they don’t hit rock bottom and they don’t get cranky helps a lot.

 

Breastfeeding is SOOOOO healthy for children it’s UNBELIEVABLE!

 

The nutrients found in breastmilk and those found in formula have no comparison. The list of benefits for breastmilk is SUPER long, and the list for formula is just meh.

 

So to me, giving children the best food that as a way to welcome them into Life for their first months and years is a no-brainer.

 

4) Breastfeeding Has Been SUPER Practical

Even though breastfeeding is A LOT of work, from what I know, breastfeeding is more practical than giving formula.

 

But I’ve never given any of my kids formula. Although I have been around mothers who have given their kids formula.

 

Whenever the baby has wanted milk during the day, in the middle of the night, at mass, in Disneyland, on an airplane, in a Mommy and Me session… boom… there it is! 🙂

 

I don’t have any water to heat, formula to measure, or waiting around to do.

 

I don’t have to carry those extra things around in my diaper bag(s). Yes, plural. I carry enough things already.

 

I think that as moms we have plenty to do already. And during those sleepless nights, when you’re only able to sleep one or two hours per 24-hour cycle… I’d much rather sit up in bed and breastfeed my baby there than:

• go downstairs,
• turn on the light,
• blind myself and maybe give myself a headache
• Take out a pot,
• Fill up a pot with water
• Look for a bottle
• And the top of the bottle
• take out the formula
• wait for the bottle to be as Goldilocks would say, “juuuuust right”
• pour the water in the bottle
• measure the formula
• make sure you get the formula into the bottle even though you’re sleep deprived
• close the bottle
• shake it
• and take it to the baby that has probably been crying all this time

 

Nope. I don’t have the patience, I suppose, or the desire, really to do any of these things. Oh, and if the amount of milk you prepared isn’t enough for the baby, you probably have to go downstairs in a few minutes and do these steps all over again.

 

No way!

There have been nights where I don’t even want to get up to use the bathroom… so I just make myself fall asleep. There are other times when I don’t even have the energy to get up to get some Tylenol if I have a headache. Or make myself some tea. So doing the process above, several times a day, and ESPECIALLY in the middle of the night.

 

Uh uh. It’s not happening.

 

This isn’t to say that breastfeeding is for the faint of heart or for the lazy. That’s not it AT ALL! But … at least when you breastfeed you have about three things that you really have to focus on:

 

• Cover yourself so that you don’t flash everybody
• Hold the baby even when you’re super exhausted and sleepy
• Sit there until the baby is done.

 

That’s pretty much it, in a nutshell.

 

It’s your choice as to which you do…. I’m just letting you know that it’s been more practical for me to breastfeed than anything.

 

5) Breastfeeding Has Been My Greatest Accomplishment

Really. It has.

 

I’ll try to avoid sharing my GPA, my degrees, my prior work performance reviews, etc., etc., BUT no recognition of any sort has given me the sense of accomplishment that breastfeeding has.

 

I’m not JUST a mother. I’m not JUST a breastfeeding mom.

 

BUT if that’s the greatest thing I’ve done up until now, for all the decades in my life that I’ve lived, guess what? I’m happy.

 

Of course, being the go-getter and type-A personality that I am, I would love to accomplish other things, BUT if I passed away today. I would say that I brought my beautiful children into the world, I breastfed them for more time that was recommended, I loved them and I took care of them…. so my mission in life would practically be accomplished.

 

I’m a feminist. I believe in equal rights. I support working women.

 

But, to me being a mom is THE most important job of all and by breastfeeding my kids, loving them and literally making them my #1 priority…. I’m satisfied with myself.

 

Am I going to continue striving to be an even better mom and an even better person? Of course!

 

I just wanted to illustrate just how ENORMOUSLY satisfying breastfeeding has been.

 

It hasn’t been the easiest thing. On the contrary, it’s been the most difficult thing I’ve done. But perhaps that’s why it’s the most satisfying. 😉 =)

 

Breastfeeding has been my GREATEST accomplishment.

It’s literally the badge of honor for so many moms… that you can share this graphic with pride if you also feel that breastfeeding is YOUR greatest accomplishment.

 

In Conclusion, I Wish You Could Feel What I Feel

 

My experiences are basically breastfeeding tips… already manifested.

Let’s review them in breastfeeding tip form…

1. Breastfeed in order to bring you and your baby together.
2. Breastfeed as a way to help your children feel loved.
3. Breastfeed in order to strengthen your baby’s health.
4. See breastfeeding as the most practical feeding choice.
5. If you’re going to achieve anything in life, make it be achieving and surpassing your breastfeeding goals.
   1. Given the “importance” that society has given breastfeeding for the past decades, it doesn’t seem like breastfeeding is all that great, but trust me it is. Better yet, experience it for yourself. Experience the joy, then the struggle… and not letting a struggle dissuade you from doing this important breastfeeding job.

I literally WISH that every mom could experience these benefits from breastfeeding plus others that I have.

That’s why I’m inviting you to join my FREE breastfeeding course called Breastfeeding Your Baby Successfully.

 

It’ll help you get started with breastfeeding so that you can be super proud of your breastfeeding efforts.

 

You can sign up by clicking here.

 

What Are YOUR Thoughts?

 

If you’re a breastfeeding mom, what are the things YOU love most about breastfeeding?

 

Feel free to write as many as you’d like.

 

If you’re not breastfeeding YET, but will soon, what are you most looking forward to about breastfeeding?

 

I’d love to hear your thoughts. 😀