PolkMoms.com

I found this link useful with statistics and breastfeeding encouragement. Also has information on when you shouldn't breastfeed.

There are so many very opinionated reasons on both sides to breastfeeding. It is a personal choice.

I myself long to have been able to breastfeed.

I pumped with Ethan, my first child, because he had a tongue malformation. He could not latch onto the breast. I dried up after 4 months. Ethan had surgery at 11 months to correct his tongue.

With Ryan, I breast fed for almost a month, it was amazing and I was loving it. It was so convenient, no bottles or formula to lug around, he latched on so good, lol he was such a good sucker! But I had to stop.

Breastfeeding Ryan almost killed him. I knew something was wrong, he was losing weight and had diarrhea, like eat his bottom raw. I thought it was something I was doing and eating. I changed my diet to the blandest things I could. He still went down hill. After his metabolic screening came back we realized why. He had Galactosemia.

I have mentioned this before. All doctors told us not to breastfeed Lillian because she would probably have Galactosemia or be a symptomatic carrier. I didn’t even try, although I wanted to. I guess it is good that I didn’t. Even now any type of milk tears her up.

Mommas, I would at least try it and see if breastfeeding can fit your lifestyle.

I would love for other moms to share tips and advice and the reality of breast feeding, dos and don’ts, pros and cons. It may help moms that are breastfeeding or moms considering breastfeeding.

http://www.cdc.gov/breastfeeding/

Le Lache League
http://www.llli.org/

I breastfed my Lillie for eighteen months exclusivley and it is the best thing I have ever done in my life. Don't get me wrong I dealt with a few small issues but nothing I couldn't overcome. At two years old Lillie has had only one sick visit to the doctor and I truly believe that breastfeeding played a role in that. Also the bond we share is amazing, it takes alot of patience to nurse a baby or devote yourself to pumping but it is well worth it. I don't look down on anyone who chooses to, or like shawn has to formula feed I just with the formula companies didn't constantly push how great and convenient formula is. Once you get the hang of breastfeeding the expense and hassle of formula is so not worth it. I also wish there wasn't such a negative veiw on breastfeeding in this country. If a girl walks around with cleavage hanging out nobody cares but some people have such a problem if a woman breastfeeds in public even if shes not exposed. It is the most natural thing in the world so ladies do it whenever and wherever your baby is hungry.

I never pumped and mine never had a pacifier or bottle either. I was fortunate not to have to work her first year so that made doing without bottles easy. But some moms do work and I hope they are never discouraged at the thought of pumping. Mothers milk is truly the best thing ever and well worth the time it takes to nurse and pump if necessary. Lillie self weaned at 18 months, a few months after I got pregnant with Victoria. I had heard that milk can taste funny while pregnant so I think she lost interest. She is so funny though because a few months after she weaned she started talking about breastfeeding and saying that "mommys boobies are yummy" soo cute and kind of nice to know she has fond memories of the breastfeeding experience.

i tryed to breast feed with my daughter. but i had a very hard time in the hospital. it just didn't work out the way i wanted. and then we just got a ton of company after she was born. all our familys live very far away. it was just too much too soon and i wasn't comfortable breast feeding around people. so what i would do is pump twice a day and give her 2 pumped bottles a day and the rest formula. till she was 4 months old. then we switched to just formula. it worked wonderfull. i was very happy with everything and i would do it again in a heart beat. my daughter also wasn't sick for the first year and a half. and now she barley gets colds and she doesn't have allergies. i'm all for both ways of feeding babys and i'm all for mothers doing it in public. and yes your employer has to give you time to pump at work. were i used to work a lot of mothers would just close there doors and keep working as they pumped.

I nursed my kids for 17 months, and 16 months respectively. We did not have the common problems with latch, painful nipples etc that put people off - so I guess we were lucky. I never had to supplement at all.

Breastfeeding is natural, however I think the fallacy out there that shocks many people when they go into it is that it's 'easy'. It's not. It takes work, knowledge and practice, for both you and baby. And, while it has most definitely got indisputable health benefits, it is not a panacea for all ills, breastfed kids still get sick- my second has been in the ER three times with illnesses, and has had numerous sick visits to the doc. My first had her first sick visit to the doc at 14 months. Every kid is different - regardless of whether or not they are breastfed.

I thoroughly recommend the book 'So, that's what they're for' by Janet Tamaro. It is a common sense and humorous book on breastfeeding but also one that gets all the key facts across. I credit my success with having read this book.

I also attended a breastfeeding class at LRMC before my first was born - it was useful, but very boring - the teacher did not inspire the class at all I felt.

The Lactation Consultants at LRMC, and the ladies in La Leche League in Lakeland are wonderful and have been most helpful to me in the past when I have had issues - such as my daughter persistently biting at 6 months, nursing strikes etc.

My best advice to anyone thinking of breastfeeding, or starting off is - arm yourself with knowledge, and know exactly whom you can call for help if you run into difficulties.

Great personal experiences moms!

Thank you Albee for all your tips and advice. The book sounds great.

keep them coming ladies!