Breastfeeding Information & Resources

Breastfeeding HelpLine

1.800.994.9662

50 State Summary of Breastfeeding Laws http://www.ncsl.org/programs/health/breast50.htm

Mothers' Milk Bank- "Donate Milk...Save a Life"

1.408.998.4550 -  http://home.earthlink.net/~milkbank/

Breastfeeding Report Card-United States,2008  http://www.cdc.gov/breastfeeding/pdf/2008 Breastfeeding Report Card.pdf

One of my personal and professional missions is promoting breastfeeding awareness.

I was not breastfed so I did not receive the benefits but I am happy to report that I made a conscious choice to breastfeed my now 10 year old son, Iz.

Looking back, my husband and I agree that we have no regrets living on one income for 6 years so I could be home with our son. It was tight financially, but the investment was well worth it.  

Being a stay at home mother and wife were some of the best times in my life.

My husband and I are amazed at how our son has grown and developed. We attribute it, in part, to breastfeeding.

The worldwide average for weaning is about 4.5 years. In the United States, approximately 6 months.

My son weaned at 3.9years. Ron was my greatest support system who encouraged me to wean our son naturally.  His own mother weaned him when he was 3 years old.

Honestly, there were moments when I wanted to throw in the towel and stop cold turkey.  Some days I felt like a breastmilk bank...But most days it was a very satisfying and rewarding experience. 

I felt extremely proud (and still do) knowing that I was providing my child with what nature intended him to have. Fortunately, we never encountered an urgent situation where we needed to supplement with bottles or formula a single time.

Disclaimer: There are special circumstances when supplementation with bottles and formula are medically indicated.

Every child is different.  The extended breastfeeding my son needed may not be the same experience for the next family. And that's okay.

I support the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommendations to: exclusively breastfeed for at least 6 months and up to a year.

Breastfeeding isn't just about the milk. There are many other vital ingredients involved in nursing that influence a childs mental, emotional and physical development.

Mothers also benefit from breastfeeding with decreased risk for breast and ovarian cancer...Not to mention the surge of "oxytocin"  a.k.a. the bonding hormone,  which decreases stress levels.

The high costs we pay for not breastfeeding are staggering.

My hope is that exclusive breastfeeding the first 6 months of life becomes the rule in the United States and not the exception.

Mothers need support from families, employers and a society that values and respects breastfeeding...in private and in public.

Wishing You and Your Babies a Healthy Start,

Kai :)

Comments or Questions:

breastfeed@kaidallas.com

alt: purebreastmilk@aol.com

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