I didn’t always intend to breastfeed. The mere thought used to freak me out completely. When I fell pregnant I decided that I would try it for the following reasons: the nutritional and health advantages associated with breastfeeding; it’s cost effective – much cheaper than formula; I liked the thought of the bonding experience that breastfeeding is said to elicit; breastfeeding stimulates the release of the hormone oxytocin, which causes the uterus to contract.
The World Health Organisation recommends exclusive breastfeeding up to 6 months of age. I thought that I’d try 3 months: a happy compromise. Well, 8 months later I am still breastfeeding. When I hit the 3 month mark I was so enjoying the bonding experience that I decided that I would like do another 3 months and then stop at 6 months. And at 6 months I decided to just carry on in spite of my growing fear of the little tooth that was pushing its way through the gum of my baby girl’s mouth. Read the rest of this entry »
