The Case for Nursing at the Breast: What’s the Difference, Anyways?
Everyone seems to know by now that “breastmilk is best.” It is nature’s perfect food for your baby. It has ingredients that keep your baby healthy for a lifetime. It is always ready and always the perfect temperature. Even when you feel completely empty, the baby can always make more milk. You’ve probably heard this a lot by now, or at least we hope you have.
So, if you decide you want to pump all of baby’s milk, what’s the difference? The thought of having a baby “there” may make you feel nervous or uncomfortable, maybe even afraid.
As it turns out, there is a difference. Breastmilk is absolutely the best nutrition for baby, and pumped milk is so much better than formula there is no comparison, but there are things that a baby can only get from nursing at the breast.
A baby’s first instinct at birth is to nurse. Babies who are born vaginally to unmedicated mothers have the ability to move themselves from mom’s belly to her breast and latch on completely on their own. A baby who latches on within the first hour after birth not only gets that all-important first dose of colostrum earlier, which helps prevent low sugar and jaundice problems, it also has a significant impact on the baby’s ability to have better nursing relationship in the months to come.
Nursing at the breast is the best way for a mother to make sure she has the right amount of milk for her child. A pump will never be as efficient as a baby at getting milk out. Your body is wired to respond to baby in every way: sight, sound, smell, and feel.
A baby doesn’t just get milk at the breast. A baby nursing at the breast is developing his eyesight by looking into your eyes. She is exercising her jaw in a way that will help prevent dental problems in the future and will also help language skills later.
When you nurse at the breast, you are offering baby a kind of comfort only a mother can give. It’s ok that mom is the one that feeds the baby. A baby wants that relationship, and there is such a short time available that you can give it. The nursing relationship takes up just a tiny portion of mom’s and baby’s life, and when all is said and done, that time only comes once in a lifetime.
When you nurse at the breast, your body is so smart that it makes special milk depending on the time of day. In the morning, your body makes milk in a way that helps him wake up; at night, your body makes milk that helps him go to sleep.
Nursing at the breast helps a baby feel better when he is sick, grouchy, or teething. Breastfeeding is a natural, completely safe pain reliever for baby. You can even nurse your baby when she gets her shots so she will cry less and be comforted.
Moms who go to work or school will have to pump. But always make sure to nurse the baby whenever you are at home, and whenever your baby is near you. Keep baby’s sleeping place close by you at night so you can get enough rest.
Remember, it’s not just that breastmilk is best for baby; YOU are best for baby!
Krystal Bowden 2010
