I just have to give you this information. Breastfeeding is a passion of mine b/c I couldn't breastfeed DS1 and cried a lot about it, still do on occasion. Like the orthodontics, DS1 is going through all this mess because his mouth developed around the bottle nipple and little pacifier, it narrowed his palate. When he is in pain from the braces, I cry b/c it's my doing in a way that I had no way to prevent b/c I didn't have the support or information I needed to get breastfeeding to work. I hope you understand where this e-mail comes from and do not take offense. I know you have breastfeed your children some and some is better than none, so I want to encourage you to think about breastfeeding DS some for his benefit and yours.
Exclusively breastfeeding burns between 500 to 700 extra calories per day.
Breast milk is always the right temperature for baby and is always ready when baby needs to be fed.
Breast milk is free, formula is about $12 per powdered can these days, liquid has always been more. Plus there is the bottle cost, washing water cost, etc.
Lazy moms breastfeed!!! I'm a lazy mom, after having to always have formula in the house, preparing the formula, making sure I had enough on a trip out, washing and washing bottles and nipples - breastfeeding was easy (even getting through those first 2 weeks). For me night nursing was the best, lay down, pop boob in mouth and go back to sleep for a few minutes, roll over and repeat - that is how I came to see the benefits of having baby sleep in our bed. I didn't have to get up, go to the kitchen, prepare the formula bottle, heat it up and then go back to feed a now screaming baby b/c it took too long.
[Cloth diaper is a lazy mom thing too, I don't ever worry if I have diapers to make it through to the next store visit - just do I need to do wash today. LOL]
BREASTFEEDING BENEFITS FROM TOP TO BOTTOM
Breastfeeding is good for every part of baby's body--from the brain to the diaper area. Here's a list:
Brain. Higher IQ in breastfed children. Cholesterol and other types of fat in human milk support the growth of nerve tissue.
Eyes. Visual acuity is higher in babies fed human milk.
Ears. Breastfed babies get fewer ear infections.
Mouth. Less need for orthodontics in children breastfed more than a year. Improved muscle development of face from suckling at the breast. Subtle changes in the taste of human milk prepare babies to accept a variety of solid foods.
Throat. Children who are breastfed are less likely to require tonsillectomies.
Respiratory system. Evidence shows that breastfed babies have fewer and less severe upper respiratory infections, less wheezing, less pneumonia and less influenza.
Heart and circulatory system. Evidence suggests that breastfed children may have lower cholesterol as adults. Heart rates are lower in breastfed infants.
Digestive system. Less diarrhea, fewer gastrointestinal infections in babies who are breastfeeding. Six months or more of exclusive breastfeeding reduces risk of food allergies. Also, less risk of Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis in adulthood.
Immune system. Breastfed babies respond better to vaccinations. Human milk helps to mature baby's own immune system. Breastfeeding decreases the risk of childhood cancer.
Endocrine system. Reduced risk of getting diabetes.
Kidneys. With less salt and less protein, human milk is easier on a baby's kidneys.
Appendix. Children with acute appendicitis are less likely to have been breastfed.
Urinary tract. Fewer infections in breastfed infants.
Joints and muscles. Juvenile rheumatoid arthritis is less common in children who were breastfed.
Skin. Less allergic eczema in breastfed infants.
Growth. Breastfed babies are leaner at one year of age and less likely to be obese later in life.
Bowels. Less constipation. Stools of breastfed babies have a less-offensive odor.
http://www.askdrsears.com/html/2/T020100.asp
WHY BREAST IS BEST
How Breastfeeding Builds Brighter Brains
Breastfeeding Benefits from Top to Bottom
3 Little Known Benefits of Breastfeeding
7 Ways Breastfed Babies Become Healthier Adults
How Human Milk Protects Babies From Illness - Breastfed babies are healthier
7 Ways Breastfeeding Benefits Mothers - Promotes Emotional Health
Nutrient by Nutrient Why Breast is Best
Comparison of Human Milk and Formula
How Your Breasts Make and Deliver MILK
Human Milk for Human Baby - Cows Milk for Cow Babies (formula is derived from cow's milk usually)
Note on soy - Soy has phyto-estrogens (yes that is estrogen as in female hormone), these phyto estrogens act like our own female hormone when consumed. Simply put children should not consume large quantities of soy, especially boys.
I'm not sure why you think it would be better for DS not to breastfeed. It is rare that a baby would not benefit from some breastmilk. I know you love your little boys and I can't think of anything more precious than providing him with the comfort and warmth of body to body contact in early breastfeeding. Especially, since little DS had been in the NICU away from you and has missed constant mommy contact. If you need to take medications, as I know you have in the past for PPD, you can find a medication that would be safe to use while breastfeeding. I only had PPD with DS1 who was formula fed. Breastfeeding does help regulate your hormones to a certain degree, not all moms, but it did work wonders for me.
If it is a weight issue, exclusively breastfeeding while maintaining a modestly reduced calorie diet should do the trick nicely. My problem is I eat too much, if I could have limited my intake, I would have benefited from the 700 calories burned a day. I didn't gain any and I was eating like a horse!!! I also didn't exercise, still don't, but need to.
For me right now, there is nothing quite like the words "Mommy, mimi" (that's dd asking to be nursed). Yes, I'm one of those, nursing a 2 yr old now!!! LOL Her nursing into toddler hood has been very beneficial. The most notable instance was for the eye surgery she had. I was told she would come out of anesthesia screaming and be inconsolable for some time, as soon as I got to her she wanted to nurse and she calmed down right way. The doctor had never had experience with a child still nursing, but was remarkably impressed by how quickly she calmed down and was comforted. It was unclear if she would require another surgery, so I didn't want to wean her right away. Hearing her high pitched blood curdling screaming was horrible, I could not find her quickly enough! They had moved her baby doll, so it wasn't with her when she woke up, I was thinking that would help. It is still unclear if she will require another eye surgery, but if she weans soon that would be fine with me.
I am praying for DS's recovery from what ever it is that is going on (I googled the word you had, but came up blank). I hope he comes home soon to his loving family. I can't imagine how hard it must have been to go home without him.
Take care,
