Today in the Erie Times-News Health section, you'll read about two moms who breast-feed their children, one of whom has triplets. You have to give her some props. And if you see the picture of all of the milk she has in her freezer, you'll be in awe, especially if you've breast-fed or the mother of your children breast-fed.
Before Autumn was born, I had a fair number of inquiries as to whether I'd breast-feed or not. Don't you think that's a rather personal question to ask? But like everything else involving pregnancy and childbirth, it is not off-limits. Anyway, at the time my answer was, "We'll see." Up till then, the breast-feeding vs. formula balance in my family was split. My mom breast-fed all of us, but my one sister had a heck of a time, fighting some nasty mastitis. She was in so much pain, with breasts as red as a clown's nose and as big as footballs. With her first son, she persisted for a while because she knew breast milk was better for her son. But the pain eventually got to her and she made the switch to formula.
So I wasn't sure what would happen with me. I knew I didn't want to end up with mastitis, but I also wanted what was best. So when the nurse asked me, just after birth, if I wanted to breast-feed, I said yes.
We kept up with the feeding and in the hospital I had many nurses try to help me make Autumn latch on properly. I always thought breast-feeding was something that came naturally, at least to the baby. It is not.
Despite the troubles I had (and you can read about them tomorrow), I persisted and sought help from the lactation consultants at Saint Vincent. As a result, by the time Autumn turned one and was physically able to drink whole milk, she had never consumed even one drop of formula. Before she was born, I wouldn't have been able to tell you how proud that would make me. But I am so, so proud of that.
I understand that some people don't want to breast-feed. Some people, like my sister, have problems, despite their good intentions. But for anybody who's just not sure, I'd encourage them to at least try. The benefits to mom and baby are worth it.