The ONLY reason you need to BREASTFEED

my favourite bf photo, by my own personal part-time photographer

Forget the fact that breast milk is the best food for your baby. Forget the fact that breast milk contains all the wonderful anti bacterial properties, vitamins etc. Forget the fact that your baby will get the best immunization and health protection from breast milk. Forget all the health benefits that you will get from exclusive nursing. Forget the fact breastfeeding can help you lose weight easily. Forget about the money you’ll save for not needing expensive formula milk. Forget about the minimal stuff you need while traveling with baby thanks to breastfeeding. Forget about the easy night time feedings because you don’t need to get up to prepare formula. Forget about the more sleep you’ll get. Forget the fact that your baby’s poop will smell better.

The ONLY reason you need to breastfeed is this - the incomparable emotional bonding and satisfaction that only breastfeeding can give you.

From my personal experience;

When my baby is screaming / crying: I pick him up, lifted my shirt and immediately he smiles, latches on, close his eyes, and grabs my skin/shirt/tudung with his little fingers. Sigh…it’s the most wonderful feeling.

I see his contented face, calm and happy, smiling up at me.

My baby can’t sleep unless he is in my arms, latched on (even if he’s full and not really sucking anymore). We sleep in each other’s warmth.

I see my baby gaining weight well and I know I’m the only one contributing to it, and not some cows.

I am his source of comfort, not just food. He nurse when he’s upset, sad, bored, tired etc. I feel needed and I confident that I can soothe him.

He knows my face and my smell. When he sees me he will start to react: smile, turn his body towards me, becomes restless (wants me to hold him), once I hold him if he’s hungry he’ll start burying his face is my chest / open his mouth / tarik2 my shirt / start to babble..bla..bla..bla

My unlimited, growing love for him as I nurse him everyday.

On my bad days when I feel like I’m a terrible mother, that I cannot give my baby the best things that he deserve, when I see other supermoms who can do everything so organized, when I feel like everything I do with the baby are only trial and errors (many errors too!), when I feel guilty that I leave my baby to someone else to take care of while I’m at work, when I feel guilty that I often sleep early and didn’t teach/play with him at the end of a tiring day, when I feel guilty that I take my baby to my shopping trips until he gets exhausted….

I can always look back and be assured that at least; I know I am doing something right.

Breastfeeding, what a luxury. Alhamdulillah.