A'udhu billahi mina sh-shaytaanir-rajeem! Bismillah...

Sunday, August 7, 2011

Do you breastfeed?

Chasing Rainbow
Well, that's NOT my question. My question is till what age you breastfeed your baby? If anyone asks me, my answer would be I am still breastfeeding my 22 months old little girl. The reasons are: first and foremost, I am a Muslima, my ideology asks me to breastfeed my baby until 2 years and secondly, mom's milk is the best of any food a baby can ever gulp.
 Liya's doctor (in US) frowned, when I said she is still under nursing. But I was inspired by a lot of moms out there who breastfeed for 2 years or more.
Have we benefited?  Definitely YES! There are numerous nutritional, immunological, developmental and psychological advantages for breastfeeding. I am not an authentic/medical person to pen down the medical benefits of it. But I am gonna share with you our successful story of nursing. I experienced several good changes in my health and baby's health, as well.
Like one of my best friend Najeeba mentioned, isn't it a great thing to know that I will be less prone to breast cancer and have no worries on my cholesterol and sugar level...? When Liya was 4 months old, I had severe chest pain and was bedridden. My doc, did not even bother to check my cholesterol level, he was very sure that as I am young and breast feeding such chances were less. He was sure that it was just due to muscle fatigue. *Still, we did all the tests and everything turned out to be -ve, Alhamdulillah( Thank God).* 
Another best part of breastfeeding is that you will see yourself being very mindful on your own diet. Being a breastfeeding mom, it was my duty to ensure that my baby gets all nutrients, and hence I was following a healthy diet plan, was not eating much sugar, no chocolates, less spicy food, added more green veggies to my daily diet, I was drinking milk everyday to ensure the proper supply of Calcium to my body, was eating eggs every day to ensure a required supply of proteins. I was eating more lentils and beans, more raw veggies, very less outside food, varieties of fruits, fresh juices, no chemicals/flavors/food colors in daily cooking etc. Believe me, I am still not overweighing. :)

Our NURSING story: 
The very next day Liya was born, I had my eyes shredding the tears of happiness as I found out that I was blessed to produce an abundant quantity of breast milk *Alhamdulillah*. It was overflowing from day two onwards and milk production in my body was a lot more than she ever needed. It was spraying and leaking, as she went on long nap hours. I never had to tryout the 'granny tips' for production of breast milk that people in my place usually do. I am thankful to my maternity doctor Shruthy Reddy, who always talked about the importance of breast milk, nutrients and the need for having a good diet during my pregnancy. She had put me on a healthy diet plan which I followed during and after my pregnancy that I was leaking with abundant amount of milk. 
I never cried over the discomfort of spraying, I never hesitated to take bath many times a day to ensure hygienic condition of my body. I knew, I was told and I was taught that my baby is gonna benefit from the temporary discomforts I suffer due to spraying. The leaking and spraying continued until she was an year old. And always, breast milk was her primary food.  Whenever we planned long journeys, I never had to worry over her food, the supply of breast milk never let her fall hungry. She was NEVER been a cry baby, as she was blessed enough to have her tummy full of mom's milk whenever she wanted. 


It wasn't a tougher decision to take and I had my loving parents, incredibly supporting husband and wonderful in-laws to standby as I decided, "I am gonna give Liya nothing and nothing other than BREAST MILK until 6 MONTHS". Many in our families were frowning and forcing to give her droplets of dates juice, honey etc, but we did not listen to them. People spawned stories of having a 'THIN' baby or non-eating baby due to late weaning, all I told them was "I don't want a chubby baby, but a healthy and strong one". The first food she ever tasted other than breast milk was Kanji after she completed 6 months. I must mention, my work from home facility also helped me in achieving this. I am thankful to my employer, as well.
The best thing about breastfeeding is the immunity of your baby. It is been an year and 10 months since little Liya has become a part and parcel of our life. Alhamdulillah, she NEVER suffered from any child disease in last 1 year, no cough/mucus/fever/cold/tummy aches/constipations/diarrhea... She suffered from common cold once or twice before she was one year old, but absolutely no other diseases or ill tantrums. She was given NO  medicines so far. She has travelled a lot in last 2 years, she has been to different cities in the world, we had long drives, flies, train journeys and gone through continuous weather changes *from 48 degree centigrade of sizzling hot summer in Hyderabad to minus 22 degree centigrade of chilling snowy winter in Buffalo* , we travelled across the continentals. *I am grateful to Almighty* she has been resistant to changes in weather, places, water, air.. I believe it was simply the power of breast milk. 

She was NEVER been a non-eating baby or picky eater but a foodie. She enjoyed every bit of food I give her so far. They say, breastfed babies lose interest in food, believe me my experiences proved that isn't true. So, if you worry that your child is not eating well, don't simply put all blame on breast milk, instead (I would recommend) go ahead and dig out other possible reasons.

Last week was world breastfeeding week (hmm, a delayed post, even though I was dying to share it), and tons of Thanks to my lovely friend, sister Salma of Chasing Rainbow for reminding me on this. She has written a beautiful post on breastfeeding, and my ever best friend Najeeba for the inspiring post. Love you sisters!

So my lovely readers, I want to tell you nothing but BREAST MILK is the best food for your kid, and don't hesitate to pass it onto your children when God has showered his blessings upon you. Take a minute out and analyze, how much time you spent on selecting and picking tinned food for your baby, choosing beautiful outfit and attractive accessaries, designing their rooms and ensuring the hygienic living conditions...? How much time you spent in styling their hair, fixing upon their daycare/nanny, doc visits..? How much keen you are in setting up the learning and playing habits? How much trouble we suffer to ensure EVERYthing BEST for our kids..? Don't ignore the fact that the best of the best for your kid is to first ensure that they get enough MOM's milk, if you have been blessed to have its production in your body.
Happy Breastfeeding!


"The mothers shall give such to their offspring for two whole years, if the father desires to complete the term. But he shall bear the cost of their food and clothing on equitable terms. No soul shall have a burden laid on it greater than it can bear. No mother shall be Treated unfairly on account of her child. Nor father on account of his child, an heir shall be chargeable in the same way. If they both decide on weaning, by mutual consent, and after due consultation, there is no blame on them. If ye decide on a foster-mother for your offspring, there is no blame on you, provided ye pay (the mother) what ye offered, on equitable terms. But fear God and know that God sees well what ye do.  (The Noble Quran, 2:233)"

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6 comments:

  1. This post is very timely for the observance of the World Breastfeeding Week and National Breastfeeding Month celebration here in the Philippines. My kids were breastfeed until they are 6 months and yes they are healthy and have slim risk of getting sick. I commend you for promoting breastfeeding online.

    Visiting from voiceBoks
    Dangzter Online
    http://dangzteronline.blogspot.com

    ReplyDelete
  2. New follower here. Enjoying your blog.
    www.rebeccabany.com

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  3. Thanks so much for highlighting why you breastfeed Nishana. It's not easy, but it's worth it. Liya is very lucky.

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  4. Lorena- thank you for the visit and sharing your story. Glad to meet breastfeeding moms online.

    Rebecca- Thank you so much. Warm welcome to listen to our motherhood tales. Hope to see you around very often.

    Salma- Right, it is not that easy. Thank you for reminding me about breastfeeding week. hope Rainbow is having great time out there in new place.

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  5. I nursed all 4 of my kids. Last one until 26 months. Now it's been 6 yrs since I nursed my last and I really do miss it. Ignore anyone who has a negative opinion and you do what works for you!

    ~Mimi from Meaningful Monday

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  6. I'm so glad that I meet another mom who is a breastfeeding advocate. My answer, yes I did breastfeed my daughter until 30 months. Yes, 3-0 months! And my doctor have to force me to stop because I'll be taking my HPV vaccine.

    Thank you for dropping by my blog. visiting via VB.

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