by Dawn Hardy
 After talking with women that either breastfed for
very little or some even not at all I have discovered that there ARE side effects to breastfeeding that I
have not read about in any of my breastfeeding books, magazines, or websites. I am not saying that they are
not anywhere, just that I have not seen them.
I had very low self-esteem at one time. My first birth was by cesarean section without me even feeling one
labor pain. I felt as though I had let my baby down with my 'professional guided' decision. I did
breastfeed though for 15 months. I gave that baby 5 months of nothing but his own mother's milk. I
NOURISHED HIM. I helped him to grow. Breastfeeding taught me to answer my child when needed and to learn
how and what he needed. Breastfeeding gave me something no one else had. CONFIDENCE that I, little
me, COULD do something ON MY OWN. My body has now given birth to two boys. One was taken
from me through surgery. The other I pushed out of my own body and felt him go through me. He was breastfeed
within 15 minutes of his birth. He was tongue-tied and for 2 1/2 weeks I cried at each feeding until the
problem was resolved. I was going to breastfeed and NOTHING was going to stop me!!
Breastfeeding can CAUSE high self-esteem. Breastfeeding empowers you like nothing else will or
can. I no longer look down upon myself as a 'whole'. Yes some things I am not capable of doing, doesn't'
mean I won't try it if I set my mind to it, doesn't mean I won't fail sometimes too. Breastfeeding teaches
you that you have a WONDERFUL body. Yes it may have a few extra rounds here and there and maybe even jiggles
at times. BUT that body is a WONDERFUL nourishing body that gave life to children
after they were born.
The side effects of breastfeeding are:
Higher self-esteem
Good parenting
Learning about your children like no one else will
ever know.
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Breastfeeding
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