I didn't know this last year, but World Breastfeeding Week is August 1-7! I think it's great that breastfeeding has its own week to be celebrated and to raise awareness about the benefits of breast milk.
Most of you know that I exclusively pump breast milk for E. I would have loved to actually nurse him, but we just didn't get it going after all the bottles in the NICU (and I didn't know how to say NO! to bottles in the hospital!). As disappointed as I still am about that, I'm proud to say that on August 2nd, I'll have been pumping for him for one whole year!!
The reasons I committed to this are many; but the most important one is that breast milk is best for E. Period. I was bound and determined to try everything, and this is what has worked for us.
As if you need convincing, this is a favorite article of mine. It's called A Preemie Needs His Mother, and it explains not only the benefits of breast milk for preemies, but the challenges involved with providing it for them.
One of my favorite passages in the article is this: "Even if a third of a 2.2 pound (1 kilo) preemie's diet is breast milk, he will leave the hospital, on the average, 15 days earlier and far healthier than the exclusively formula fed baby."
Pumping every 3 hours vs. an extra 15 days in NICU? Pass the pump, please! (E went home from NICU after 45 days. That's pretty dang good for a 29 weeker. He was 35 weeks 5 days gestation when we brought him home!)
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| This is the first time E was fed my breast milk (or anything else for that matter!) I think he was 3 or 4 days old, and he was fed 3cc's! |
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| One of our first breastfeeding attempts :) |
I didn't know there was a breastfeeding week either! I nursed Little Man for 18 months. He's never had an ear infection or even a cold for that matter. So many advantages!
ReplyDeleteGood for you! I'm impressed that you've pumped so long!
ReplyDeleteWhen my Bean was in the NICU it was hard to refuse bottles! I had to remind every. damn. nurse. over and over again. Luckily, I got to take my baby girl home after only five days, and I breastfed her for almost 24 months. My son, on the other hand, I weaned at 9 months, after three months of pumping (because I was mid-divorce and his father needed breastmilk). That got old (mostly for interpersonal reasons), and I still regret having to wean him so young.
That's so awesome that you're hanging in there! Well done, Mama!
congrats!!! you're awesome, mama. I pump while I'm at work and I HATE pumping! I can't imagine exclusively pumping - for a YEAR! You're inspiring, thanks for sharing :)
ReplyDeleteEmily at babydickey.com
Yay! Congratulations on one year of exclusively pumping! You are one awesome momma! I wish I had been able to keep pumping for El when she stopped taking oral feedings after she got her NG tube. I only lasted 4 weeks of exclusive pumping! Way to do something so amazing for your little guy! Pumping is not easy! Good job, happy World Breastfeeding Week, happy birthday E, & Happy Birth Day to you!!
ReplyDeleteHappy Breastfeeding Week!!!!! It's great that there is a Breastfeeding Week. I'll blog about it in a little while. :-D
ReplyDeleteTake care!