Breastfeeding looks and sounds scary. I remember the first time I ever saw a woman breastfeeding her child in public. I was in my early teens and had never been exposed to it before. I was formula fed, and the culture surrounding my childhood did not believe that “breastmilk was best for babies under two years.” Formula was the norm, which is why seeing a baby latched on to her mother’s exposed breast was so unnerving. It made me so uncomfortable, and I remember trying my best not to look.
Fast forward to my first pregnancy, and suddenly breastfeeding became the most enviable accomplishment for every new mom. To learn more about it, I attended a seminar with my husband provided by LATCH Philippines, and I don’t think either of us could have ever expected to learn as much as we did from them. They made breastfeeding sound so magical!
And in many ways, it really is. The very fact that your baby does not need water, or food, or any other kind of milk for the first 6 months of his life outside of your breast milk is mind boggling on its own. Imagine all of the nutrients packed into that liquid gold!
Here are 5 cool facts we bet you didn’t know about breastfeeding:
1. Your latch is everything. Many women complain that breastfeeding is painful, but most of the time, the pain is caused by an incorrect position and latch. Here’s a tip: your baby’s nose should be opposite the nipple. As you try to insert your nipple in your baby’s mouth, make sure her chin is dropped and that her tongue is down to ensure a proper latch. Her entire mouth should cover your nipple, and you should hear a combination of sucking and swallowing sounds from your baby while she is latched. This will tell you that she is able to comfortably consume your milk.
2. Size does not matter. Your cup size is not going to determine your milk supply. I know plenty of women with size A cups who were able to fill up entire freezers with their breast milk! Key to a good supply of milk is hydration, a healthy diet, and lifestyle.
3. You can breastfeed while you are sick. I found this to be one of the coolest facts! You can continue to breastfeed while you are sick, because your antibodies are passed to your infant through the milk, making her immune to whatever illness you may have. Isn’t that amazing? Nonetheless, it goes without saying that you should consult your doctor before anything else.
4. Your milk tastes like your last meal. While your milk may have a generally sweet and nutty flavor, babies can taste traces of your last meal in your milk. This actually lays the foundations for your babies in developing their culinary pallattes in the long term.
5. Your milk has healing powers. Breastmilk has been proven to be a natural remedy for ear infections, eye infections, sore throats, acne, and even small wounds. Don’t believe us? Try it yourself!
Isn’t breastfeeding amazing? Beyond all of these cool facts, it is also a wonderful way to bond your with your baby. Those moments you will be able to hold your babies in your arms will fly by, so cherish them while they last!
We cannot end this article without reminding moms that while breastfeeding has numerous benefits, it isn’t the ONLY way you can keep your baby healthy, or be a good mom. If you think it isn’t the right choice for you, or if you are medically incapable of producing milk, forgive yourself.
At the end of the day, no matter how cool breastfeeding is, your love, and not your breastmilk, is what your child needs the most.