Natural Mothering About my Natural Mothering website, my booklist, updates, awards, graphics, and webrings. Natural Parenting Here is where I ramble on about what Attachment Parenting means to me and give some excellent resources for those who's interest is piqued. Natural Childbirth Why would anyone want a drug free birth? Visit this section to find out and read about my three very different birth experiences. Natural Feeding Breastfeeding is my passion and the reason for the existence of this website. You'll find the basics here along with tips for overcoming thrush! Natural Diapering Who would want to bother with cloth when there's disposables? Lots of people, really! Find out the why and how of it here. Natural Health Mother [Nature] still knows best! Find out more about natural health and healing, natural family planning and newborn health choices here.

Natural Feeding

"Imagine that the world had invented a new 'dream product' to feed and immunize everyone born on Earth. Imagine also that it was available everywhere, required no storage or delivery - and helped mothers to plan their families and reduce the risk of cancer. Then imagine that the world refused to use it. Toward the end of this century of unprecedented discovery and invention, even as scientists discover the origins of life itself, this scenario is not, alas, a fiction. The 'dream product' is human breastmilk, available to us all at birth, and yet we are not using it." ...UNICEF

Liquid Gold

I hope that by doing this page I will encourage at least one woman to give her child the very best nutrient available, the "Gold Standard," her own breastmilk. Did you know that The World Health Organization recommends that ALL children be breastfed for at least the first two years of life? It's true. Breastfeeding your child is the best way to give your child a healthy start in life, and we all want the best for our children don't we? The American Academy Of Pediatrics recommends "Breastfeeding should be continued for at least the first year of life and beyond for as long as mutually desired by mother and child." Check out their 2005 policy statement Breastfeeding and the Use of Human Milk (revised from the 1997 policy statement located here if you'd like to compare them).

Many new parents think infant formula is the next best thing to Mom, but nothing could be further from the truth.... Read Formula for Disaster by Katie Allison Granju.

Breastfeeding has been around as long as there have been people on the earth. It wasn't until the past century or so that artificial breastmilk was invented. But Mother Nature can't be fooled, breast is still best, here's just a few reasons why.

Benefits of Breastmilk for Baby:

Breastmilk is complete nutrition for baby, Easy to digest, Perfect temperature, Mother/infant bonding, Babies have higher IQ, Excellent development of teeth, jaws and gums, Fewer allergies, and Asthma, Fewer colds and ear infections, protection from Rotovirus (diarrhea) Less diaper rash and eczema, No baby bottle tooth decay, Infant receives immunities, Nature's vaccine, Emotionally satisfying, Builds strong muscles, teeth, and brain, Fortified with vitamins and minerals, less likely to die from S.I.D.S, Recommended by the American Academy of Pediatrics and American Public Health Association and American Dietetic Association, Less hospitalizations and doctor visits, Has living cells, Encourages growth of good bacteria, Stimulates maturing of the gut, Stops growth of bad bacteria and viruses, Less likely to have hay fever of tonsils removed, Helps premature babies, Better absorption of vitamins and minerals, Less likely to overeat or become an obese adult, Less thumb sucking and orthodontic problems, Offers some protection against leukemia, and may help prevent heart disease, hodgkins and crohn's diseases, diabetes and arthritis.

Benefits of Breastfeeding for Mother:

No sterilization needed, Baby's stools are less smelly, Does not need to be heated, Mother/infant bonding, Milk is always available, Decreased cancer risk, Decreased risk of developing osteoporosis, Won't spoil, Can't spill, Convenient, Comes in a great package, Easy to do, Emotionally satisfying, Always available, Cheap, Hypoallergenic, Easy night feedings, Relaxing, Faster healing, Unbreakable, Automatic refill, No shopping required, Needs no refrigeration, No leftovers, Ready when baby is, Improves with use, Travels well, Less work for mom, More time to spend with baby, Doesn't stain clothes, Goes with you everywhere, No utensils required, No mistakes in preparation, Mother's uterus contract to pre-pregnancy size more quickly, Mother loses weight, Delay's return of fertility, No waste.

For more reasons:
Breastfeeding.com ~ Why Breastfeed?

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Natural Mothering: Breastmilk Page
First on-line: 6/28/1996

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