Benefits of Extended Breastfeeding

In the second year (12-23 months), 448 mL of breast milk provides:

• 29% of energy requirements
• 43% of protein requirements
• 36% of calcium requirements
• 75% of vitamin A requirements
• 76% of folate requirements
• 94% of vitamin B₁₂ requirements
• 60% of vitamin C requirements

-- Dewey 2001

Break Time For Nursing Mothers

http://www.dol.gov/whd/nursingmothers/

Oklahoma Breasteeding Hotline

Did you know there is a 24 hour breastfeeding help hotline? I sure didn't! This would have been great when I was a newbie!

1-877-271-MILK (6455)

http://www.ok.gov/health/Child_and_Family_Health/WIC/WIC_Breastfeeding_Promotion_and_Support/index.html 

Know your rights!

The number one thing every breastfeeding mother should know is her rights! Oklahoma law states that breastfeeding mothers have the right to breastfeed anywhere they have the right to be. No one can tell you not to feed your baby!

http://www.ok.gov/health/Child_and_Family_Health/Breastfeeding_Information_and_Support/Oklahoma_Breastfeeding_Laws/index.html

The pump that saved my life (okay, maybe not my life, but my sanity!)

The Medela Pump In Style Advanced.

My Breastfeeing Story Continued:

So although my daughter and I did not have the beautiful breastfeeding relationship I had dreamed of, I had no doubts when my sweet son was born that I would do it all again. After a rough start to life and not being able to eat for 24 hours, my precious son latched like a pro! He was a champion nurser and ended up breastfeeding for 19 months. I know in the world of extended breastfeeding, this is not that long, but to me it was miraculous. So here I am with a 6 year old and a 3 1/2 year old and although it has been quite some time since I nursed my own children, I remain as passionate about it as I have every been. My goal is to help anyone who has ever considered breastfeeding, is currently breastfeeding, has a family member who is breastfeeding or even those who are just curious about this miraculous, God-given gift!

My breastfeeding story. AKA: Why I am a lactivist.

When my first baby was born in 2005, I knew from the get go that she was going to be breastfed. I read all the literature, discussed it endlessly with my Mom (who breastfed three babies in the 70's and 80's) and even bought a pump for when I went back to work. So when my precious little baby girl was born at 3:12 in the afternoon via emergency c-section, I had visions of them bringing this tiny bundle of pink joy into my room and letting her latch for the first time while I gazed at her lovingly. Yeah, so anyway, three hours later they brought this little pink bundle to me and she was even more beautiful than I had imagined. So after I unwrap her and count fingers and toes, I decide it is time to get the relationship started right. I ask a nurse to help me get her started on breastfeeding. Nevermind the FORMULA that they had already given her in the nursery, you know, because her blood sugar was low. ARGGHH. I tried and tried to get that child to latch and she would just not do it. So eventually I call in a lactation consultant, who was basically no help and they end up delivering a pump to my room. Okay, well, at least she is getting it one way or another. So we leave the hospital and the next two weeks are full of me attempting to nurse a child that will not latch, failing, crying, pumping and lots of sleepless nights. I finally decided I couldn't take it anymore. I was done. I just wanted to do formula and stop feeling like a failure. I called my Mom and my sister and told them I was done. I needed to hear someone besides my sweet husband say it was okay. They were so supportive. So that night, after fussing and worrying all day, I laid down in my bed with my little baby and prayed that I was making the right decision. I fell asleep with her in my arms. A couple of hours later, she woke up for the 1st of her 4000 feedings per night and before I got up to pump, I decided to give side lying one last shot. By now you can probably guess what happened. Yup, that kid finally latched!!! I would love to say that from then on it was a breeze and we had that beautiful breastfeeding relationship you read about in books, but it wasn't quite that magical. I still ended up pumping A LOT and only made it to 6 months of exclusive breastmilk, but it was a triumph of epic proportions in my book and the very reason I am now a full-on lactivist!