World Breastfeeding Week

This week marks World Breastfeeding Week. Lydia recently weaned, but she still remembers and will still sometimes ask to nurse. Just this morning, we snuggled in bed in the early morning, and she looked up at me with her big eyes and said "Nurse? Nurse Please?" I explained that I was empty, and she said "Lydia drink ALL the milk?" and I told her that she did. She was satisfied with that, and decided she'd rather have a Coke. LOL! (No, I didn't give her Coke - I gave her orange juice instead.)

I breastfed all three of mine, for varying lengths. I breastfed each child a little bit longer, with Lydia going past 2 years. It was a special, wonderful time with each of my children -- bonding and precious and sweet. It wasn't easy in the early months with Colin & Nate, but by the time Lydia came around I had no problems.

I'm grateful for those years I was able to nourish my children completely, and try to encourage new mothers to at least try it for the first 6 weeks. A dear friend of mine was sure she wouldn't nurse beyond 6 weeks, but ended up breastfeeding just under 2 years with her first.

If you can this week, provide some support for breastfeeding moms. Give them a genuine smile out in public when they're trying to feed their babies. Bring them a nutritious, easy to eat snack. Make sure they have an extra-large glass full of cold water. Encourage them in their decision to breastfeed their babes.