Lack of Lactation

Yes friends, this is going to be a post that might be argumentative- but please be nice to me!!

'Lack of Lactation' was the title of the 21 page unbiased research paper I did Winter Semester. We all know some people who nurse, and some who formula feed. I have done both. I wanted to find all the information I could to find out everything on the subject of breastfeeding. I quoted over 30 sources, but thoroughly read through at least 50. I did my research mostly from peer-reviewed science journals, and a few books. I also looked at how media has affected this issue, and in the end, I really wished I had done this research paper 5 years ago before Lillie was born.

Cons:
First of all, I get it. I bottle fed Lillie after 2 months of "trying" to nurse, but was supplementing at least 1 bottle a day even then. I understand how horrible it was to wake up every 2-4 hours, be up for at least 40 minutes feeding, then back to sleep for hopefully 2. If you don't think I understand what sleep deprivation feels like, I GET IT! It was nice to have Dustin get up a few times to help with feedings so I could sleep for 4 hours straight. This also aided in postpartum depression (duh, sleep deprivation, unhappiness, stress, depression.)
I also understand the looks I would get when I would start to nurse. There were times when everyone would leave the room when I started nursing--EVEN though I was ALWAYS completely covered up. Road trips were very difficult, I felt like it wasn't acceptable to nurse in public, so I rarely left the house. I was also extremely thirsty. And my ya-ya's look terrible in nursing bras.
And lets not forget the worst one- The following words: cracked, bleeding, red, swollen, OUCH. Okay, okay, we all know that when there is blood involved- you have not been taught correctly how to nurse and something is WRONG. They should never, ever, ever bleed. They will be sore for a good 2 weeks for sure, but anything beyond that was not your fault, it was lack of education from a lactation consultant on your behalf. But um... those first few weeks are uncomfortable for sure.
Oh, and did I mention the embarrassment of waking up to large, oval shaped wet spots on my shirt?

So you probably thought I went with the side of "Breast is best, but formula will do." Actually, my thesis statement was more along the lines of "Breastfeeding is a health choice, not a lifestyle choice."

I promise that I tried to find an opposing viewpoint for this issue. I TRIED. I wanted it to be true. Unfortunately, of all the credible sources about breastfeeding, all were VERY STRONG viewpoints of "breast is best."

(Disclaimer: Less than 1% of women are genetically unable to lactate, and those women should not ever feel guilty or upset if they can't. Also, breast augmentations or reductions also inhibit lactation)

Pro's
Where do I begin.
1. First of all, did you know that your breastmilk nutritional contents change from when they are preemies as to when they are 9 months old? Your body understands their bodies better than any formula can (means, you grew this child in your womb) and duplicates exactly what it will need.
2. There are over 450 ingredients in breastmilk that cannot be duplicated in formula.
3. Breastfed babies (exclusively for 6 months) are on average 4 TO 11 points higher in IQ testing. This specific test was retested by hundreds of other studies, and all conclusions were unanimous.
4. Much better (stronger) Mother-to-infant bonding as opposed to "kangaroo care" skin-to-skin bonding while formula feeding.
5. It's free.
6. Ingredients in breastmilk break down and reduce colic by 75% of colic-ie babies when breastfed verses formula fed. Also reduced projectile vomiting (for same reasons).
7. Reduces childhood and adult obesity by a whopping 61%. These studies show that bottle-fed babies are often coerced to finish their prepared bottle, and by so doing, neglect the natural "full" reflex they are born with. This lack of reflex continues through their lifetime, thus enabling them to eat and eat and eat. Breastfed babies eat until they are full.
8. GREATLY reduces the risk of the following: obesity (as before mentioned), heart disease, lung disease, most forms of cancers, and even mental illness. All of these ranged in effectiveness, but were all at least by 35% less chances.
9. Lactation produces various hormones that have an "euphoric" effect on a mother. They contract the uterus much faster than without, and relax her as well. Breastfeeding is enjoyable (alright, it's enjoyable after the soreness goes away and they sleep a tiny bit longer at night...:) )
10. Breastfeeding burns between 400-600 calories per day. (unless formula is being supplemented at all. But I do say, that even when i was supplementing one or two feedings a day, I still lost a whole bunch of poudage really quickly.)
11. Breastfeeding reduces breast cancer in women, by a large margin.
12. Breastmilk is always the right temperature.
13. Breastfeeding is convenient. You never need to pack bottles, sanitize nipples, measure out formula, and find warm water when you leave the house. It's always there.
14. Contrary to my opinions, it appears as though over 90% of American's do not mind seeing a mother breastfeeding in public- AS LONG AS THEY ARE COVERED UP. I mean, I don't make you go eat dinner in a public bathroom stall, so why should I have to feed my baby at a restaurant in one?
15. Breastmilk is very sanitary.
16. Breastfeeding is much faster than preparing bottles, and even than pumping. It takes 2-3 times as long to pump the same amount of milk that a baby consumes even with hospital-grade electric pumps (but obviously, certain circumstances make pumping an only resource at times, and breastmilk is still breastmilk!)
17. Breastmilk passes antibodies from mother to baby. Even when I had the swine flu after Jack was born, he was the only one who didn't get sick because of those awsome antibodies he receive from ME!! Babies have much stronger immune systems when breastfed.
18. Heavenly Father created our bodies this way for a reason. On our modern society, women are idolized and looked upon as sexual objects rather than the very functioning, multi-purpose women that we are. After all, none of us would be alive today without nursing (formulas didn't come out on the market until the 1940's).

My last point of research was how culture takes effect into why able women are still choosing to bottle-feed despite all the facts, studies, and blunt information about nursing, or breastmilk. I have found that of all my friends and relatives living in Portland/Seattle area, every single mother I know has nursed her baby. I'm not exaggerating at all, every friend has. It is the social norm. Despite that, my friends/family that I have frequently spoken to about this topic have all ENJOYED it. They have all admitted to the pain and discomfort and sleepless nights, but have enjoyed the bonding and experience that follows after that first month and beyond. I have noticed that in Las Vegas, the mother's room at church was always packed with more folding chairs. In Utah and Idaho, while I still see mother's nursing, I have noticed that the culture here tends to be much more formula-based. Culture and family tradition must play big roles in a mother and father's choice to breastfeed.

There were also little tidbits of information, that if a father is against or indifferent about nursing, then the mother's chance of exclusively breastfeeding is greatly reduced. Also, those who nurse tend to be married, college graduates, and more health-conscious than those who don't (I promise, that was a real source.).

Oh, I could go on and on! (like, I clearly have.)

So yes. If you want to argue this post, please feel free. Please find me any peer-reviewed journals or legitimate sources that state an opposing viewpoint. Are children doomed to a life of health-risks and lack of intelligence if they aren't breastfed? Maybe not. Actually, I hope not, because then Lillie would be at risk.
But as a mother, I am grateful for my changed perspective on this topic. I used to have a very negative viewpoint on nursing, but still did it, grudgingly. My pain of nursing and sleep deprivation was mild, only for about 1 month with both children. I had much better support from lactation consultants with Jack than I did with Lillie and I also wonder if that had any impact on the success, or lack of success.

In the end, please don't make breastfeeding a life-style choice. Sit down with your baby-daddy and educate yourself on the topic and realize it is a health choice for not just your baby, but for you.  I could also write another 20 page paper on formula. Breastmilk simply cannot be duplicated. It's a blessing that we have been given bodies that can produce the perfect milk for each individual infant we've grown in our tummies. Don't fight it, take advantage of it and be happy about it.

A Lower-Middle-Class Vacation

We took a trip over to Reno, NV to see Clark graduate with his Master's Degree from UNR this past weekend. We left Thursday afternoon, stayed for three days, and drove back home late Sunday night. It was bliss. We loved spending time with everyone and seeing the sights. We have frequently talked about taking a trip over there, and figured we better hurry up and go before Clark and Kristi move away!

All of my pictures are completely backwards, so to get the full effect, scroll up from the bottom.

In essence, we did every grand thing the area has to offer, ate delicious, satisfying food, laughed a lot (like when Clark cut off some old guy on a motorized cart at the gas station), had 4 slurpies (each), found my lost true love (Banana Republic), screamed a few layers off of my vocal cords after embarking on a life-threatening thrill ride, and soaked up the beautiful sights of Lake Tahoe. By the end of the weekend, we were satisfied, exhausted, and happy.

Hiking to Vikingsholm Castle 

 A re-enactment of the old 1991 wresting photograph.

And lastly, my 2012 Mother's Day photograph. Apparently some children are a bit more affectionate and loving towards their mother on her special day. I love those rascals.

P.S. I seem to have misplaced approximatly 2 pounds of assorted fudge.

My husband is 30, our daughter is in Preschool.

That's right, everybody. Apparently Dustin and I are officially grown-ups now that one of us turned 30. This milestone was unavoidable, but greatly feared. 30 years old means you're done playing and are settling down. Dustin is starting to figure out that going two days without shaving isn't an option anymore, and staying up until 1AM each night isn't practical.... or responsible. 

In order to best celebrate and humiliate my dear husband, I planned a surprise party for him. He specifically told me he didn't want a party, just a "nice, quiet evening at home" was just enough to tempt me into throwing an 80's themed party that included dodge ball and Orange Crush soda. Dustin was spoiled that day. He went paintballing with the elders quorum, played lazertag with me (we beat everyone.... when I say 'everyone', i mean the entire arena full of 8 year-olds.), then came home to find friends and family at our house. Dustin's friend, Seth, even took an extreme measure of shaving his head and making an 80's styled Mohawk.

It was a blast, even if we all left with various trampoline-burns all over our hands, elbows, and ankles.

The next weekend, Dustin's boss let us go up to his cabin in Island Park. It was so fancy! We watched What About Bob and many episodes of Seinfeld. We ate at a Saloon, and felt like real western alcoholics with our Dr. Peppers in Budweiser glasses with two tiny black straws in each cup. The best part of the entire weekend was Dustin getting pulled over on suspicion of being drunk. Frantically, he started spewing out all sorts of facts to the patrolman about how virtuous and clean his life has been thus far, including where he served his mission, where he attended college, his current church calling, and how he has never had a drink in his life. I'm sure the cop called his family and friends soon after to laugh about it. Sure enough, Dustin was not drunk, but is, in fact, a distracted, terrible driver. No ticket was warrented. Good times!!

Alright, here is the part about Lillie Jo.

Lillie started Preschool on Monday. She's up in Rexburg at the Preschool on campus for three days a week. I have two classes at the same time, and the timing works out perfectly. I dropped her off on Monday just after taking this terrible picture on my horrible phone (my phone has the WORST camera), and couldn't leave. I went back into the observation booth for 1/2 hour (and subsequently missed part of my first class) and watched my beautiful, timid 4-year-old look around the room, and find a quiet place to read books by herself. I know she'll be okay, and I knew she'd have fun, I just wasn't expecting to be on the other side of the 2-way-mirrors crying my eyes out as quietly as I could so the kids wouldn't hear my sniffles. It's not even kindergarten! It's just preschool. What the heck, Erika?! (that's what I say to myself, frequently) When did I turn into this stereotypical mother? It just doesn't seem like Lillie has been around long enough to already be in preschool. It seems like she was walking on her knees and saying "oooo!" about everything just a year ago (that was over 3 years ago). She's grown up to be a sweet, creative, smart little girl who amazes me everyday by her good, kind example. She is very conscious about others, and sincerely tries to do what's right. She has blessed our family in immense ways. I love her.