Those of you that follow me know that I have been blessed to have the pleasure and duty of raising 4 kids. Their ages are 10, 6, 3, and 3 weeks as of today. Just like my new friend @Canadian-Coconut, all my kids are unvaxxed and students of natural immunity. One of the first steps to natural immunity would be the decision to breastfeed your child.
Colostrum
Is a mild form of milk that is produced during pregnancy. It passes antibodies to your newborn that gives them the ability to fight off diseases, as their immune system isn't fully developed. The reason that colostrum is mild is because a newborn's digestive system isn't fully developed either. Colostrum also acts as a laxative to help move meconium. Just the simple act of ensuring your baby consumes colostrum gives their immune system an amazing natural boost.
Natural Economics
One of the craziest things about breastfeeding is how economically efficient it is. People we encounter always inquire about what formulas we use and how expensive it must be. We always respond with
Why would we need formula when there is breastmilk?
I am uncertain of the origin of baby formula, but it certainly has been marketed so well that people have decided to completely bypass breastfeeding to use it. At the end of the day, breast milk is healthier and free and formulated just for your baby.
WARNING
For the last decade, breastfeeding has been a part of my daily life. The toughest part that we faced was the dreaded latch. No every baby will get a perfect latch to the breast. I won't go into too much detail but just know that there are midwives, doulas, and lactation consultants that can help with this. Just remember that breastfeeding isn't suppose to be painful.
One of the other obstacles you will undoubtedly face will be feeding in public and defending your decision. Remember the human anatomy has been over sexualized in western society so much that the idea of a baby feeding on its mom's bosom is considered inappropriate.
Where does fatherhood come into play?
Well remember that I told you how you will have to defend your decision to breastfeed? Well you as a father and partner, you need to be behind her 110%. Family may scoff at the idea and not support your family's decision. Your baby will have to eat in public and you will have to play the role of her champion. Remember, it's good for your baby.
One of the things that can happen is the feeling of inadequacy. You may feel a bit detached because all your baby wants to do is latch on to mommy and suck the life out of her lol. Well that creates a bond between mommy and baby. That skin to skin contact releases endorphins and allows your baby to feel secure and connected. I know the feeling of championing your partner to breastfeed while also feeling inadequate. One of the ways that my wife I were able to combat this was by having her breastfeed and having me to burp the baby. It felt really nice to take my shirt off and rest my baby on my shoulder while he or she burped and ultimately went to sleep. I can't stress enough how important it is that when a mother is breastfeeding, both parents play an active role. When parents make this decision, it's a good idea to spend some quality time with both parents and baby prior to people coming over and wanting to hold your baby and pass her around {insert angry face emoji here}.
I know that not everyone's situations are ideal or the same as ours. Some parents may be separated, some people may have to go back to work, or just simply don't have the desire to breastfeed. It doesn't matter if we are sharing a feast with friends or feeding our baby's one on one, eating is always a bonding moment.
There's Adventure in all of Us
I took you inside our 3rd homebirth experienceI took you gator wrasslin' in Texas
I took you on a day as Urkle
I took you to @ned scott's funeral (RIP)
I took you to #STEEMITGUNCLUB
Animation graciously donated to @xtrodinarypilot by @xtrodinarypilot
I WILL TAKE YOU PLACES
mostly in Texas LOL
Black Uncle Sam Credit
My mother breastfed me all the way till I four, and apparently a little when I was five according to her, but I have my doubts.
Breastfeeding is the single healthiest thing you can do for a child's/babies health, short of not doing the normal thing of giving them non-human milk like Bovine (Cow) milk as the child grows. Well, co-sleeping indefinitely may be a little...well no, I think breastfeeding still tops that, especially if it extends into toddler years.
Sadly being a man I cannot breastfeed my future babies, but I sure hope my wife (if that happens) will be more than open to it. I know I'll be super jealous of her getting to feed the baby all the time, but I'm sure I'll get some bottle-time :)
Awesome to hear. Yeah we do the co sleeping thing too. I bought a bigger bed to accommodate that. Funny thing is kids naturally grow out of that..... i think lol
We cosleep as well.so...when do they grow out of it? Haha.
There are days that all 6 of us wake up in the same bed. It isn't common but it does happen. My 3 year old is starting to take ownership of her room but comes to lay with us inthe morning. This is them right now
Our 10 year old sometimes jumps in he mix lol. but he's getting too cool for that.
Haha my 3 year old has no intentions of moving to another room. My 6yo doesn't want to sleep on her bed also. I can wait though. There might be a time they won't even have time to talk when they're older.
Sometimes my wife gets overwhelmed because 3 of the kids that just swarm her. I always tell her that one day they will grow up and will never want to be home. Enjoy it while you can.
That's so true. Hope they don't grow up so fast.
I upvoted and Re-steemed :) I nursed for the first year of my daughter's life and it is very natural :) and way Healthier for the babies ::))
Absolutely. I wouldn't have it any other way. Glad to know that there are so many conscious parents out there these days.
::))))
My wife @breshepard and I are expecting our first in October. We both just attended a very informative and inexpensive class on breastfeeding. I was always ignorant of the benefits, but quickly learned that there are many. The human body fascinates me. Congrats.
I believe that you 2 are making the right decision for your new family. @breshepard is lucky to have a partner that attends a breastfeeding class with her.
Thank you. We are very excited. Just putting the nursery together now! The journey of parenthood is coming on fast!
@xtrodinarypilot You are a great husband for supporting your wife in breastfeeding. My fiance helped me get through breastfeeding with my 2nd child shell be 4 in a month and I currently breastfeed my 1 year. With my eldest son didnt work maybe i was young and just gave up too fast. And i totally regret it. Good luck and keep supporting your wife because it is free milk and the best for our kids. #breastfeeding
Thanks @yaneth It's definitely important for the partner to play a supporting role.
Enjoyed your writing style. Very informative. Looking forward to your future content, thanks!
I appreciate the kind words @becerra18 and I look forward to seeing your content as well.
My wife and I were talking about this subject today. We are getting prepared to try for our first, and she is all in on breastfeeding. In discussing societal comfort levels, it was difficult for me to convey that I could understand discomfort in others while remaining supportive of her, a champion as you put it. Greatly appreciate your experience!
Absolutely @adhoctoth its true that society isn't as acceptable as they should be. It's good to be aware because you will face verbal and non-verbal opposition. The maternal and paternal instinct supersedes all of that.
Excellent!
Thanks for mentioning me. It's so nice to hear your similar experiences.
All the best!
You are quite welcomed.
Breastfeeding mothers are rivetingly beautiful.
I was breastfed (my mother's doctor threatened violence to her if she stopped giving us the tit, we were told)- that was over 60 years ago.
My wife insisted on breastfeeding our son, and I wouldn't have dreamt of arguing for a second against it.
The picture of you with your baby captured my heart, I have a suspicion of your feelings in this shot...
without a doubt my feelings are probably worn on my sleeve in the form of a baby lol. I wouldn't change anything about our breastfeeding decision. Funny thing is, my wife and I didn't discuss. We were definitely on the same wavelength when it came to that.
It's always astonishing how that tiny little bundle can instantly turn us big, virile (in my best John Belushi voice) "MANLY men!" into puddles of gooey mush...
Our son and daughter-in-law (aw, hell, she's OUR daughter too, we love Rosie so much) have opted, it seems , to remain childless without sign of changing their minds in their 40s, so we have been forced to adopt our young friends Braelyn and Callie to become grandparents...of course, we're only two out of an entire community to do so with little Isaac/Isa, 'cause they're huggies (kind of like hippies, but hugging all the time..)
Great post!
thank you @marymg2014
Nice post. We have breast fed all six of our children and are currently feeding number six. My wife works outside the home and I stay with the kids, so after maternity leave she pumps and I feed. That helps me with the connectedness with the baby. I am very protective of my wife when she is breastfeeding and am on the lookout for people giving us the evil eye to stare down. Thanks again.
@homesteaddad that is so awesome. Sounds like we could be brothers from other mothers
I love it I working on rebreastfeeding my daughter who is 2 month and 4 days I support breastfeeding 100%
We had to re-breastfeed the oldest. At one point she was pumping and I was bottle feeding. With support from other moms and a lactation consultant, we were back in business.. Thanks for sharing.
Great post! I just joined Steem and am excited to blog about my own parenting revelations (and why I am teaching my kids to gamble). Excited to follow and see more real writing.
Thanks for the follow. I am looking forward to reading about why you are teaching your kids to gamble. I think I may have an idea , but I honestly cannot wait to read that one.
I'm the father of a 2 1/2 year old that is still nursing. It's so frustrating to get those disgusted looks in public but always happy to stand up for my partner. I enjoyed the post!
Kindered spirits. Yeah I always smile at those that snarl. It seems to shut them down.
Breastfed both my kids and even posted ten tips here on steemit 😉
Glad to hear about dads being supportive to their partners about this topic. ❤
Followed and upvoted😉
Some of my friends have formula fed their babies. Many have breastfed. Either way, it has never really been an issue here, which makes me wonder sometimes if all the controversy and stigma surrounding it is blown out of proportion, or if I'm just lucky to have not experienced it?
Anyway, although I am a vaccinator, I agree with your points and especially appreciate your call on fathers to be supportive of breastfeeding mothers. Breastfeeding can be very difficult at times -- and physically exhausting! Having that extra support goes a long way toward creating a positive experience for both mom and baby.
@ redhens The joys of parenthood have many different paths. I truly appreciate your perspective.
Ahhhh, so much warmth in my heart for this. ❤️
🙏
I'm glad that my story could bring joy to you.
Breastfeeding is the best. Nature has always provided us with the best there is.
and we don't even have to spend any money on it.
Exactly... and by the way congrats for having that angel in your arms.
Brreast feeding is the best for baby.
Defend our position in social!
Nice posting, I agree that breastfeeding is important also all father on the world should support that. :)