Yes, the two go together!!
And, biologically, they are meant to. Believe me, I know there are some women out there who claim that breastfeeding is what got them back into their size 4 jeans again in a week, but in looking at the broad spectrum, I think those are few and far between.
I have never been one of the “lucky ones” to be able to get back into my jeans again within a year–much less a week! After a year is really when I can finally start losing good bits of weight because that’s usually when my babies are taking in more solids than they are nursing. Nature actually produces hormones that keep your muscles from being able to regain their “hardness” (for lack of a better word) to keep your body soft for your baby. I mean, think about it. Doesn’t it seem natural that a baby would prefer a soft, comfortable mommy to lie on and snuggle with. Once again, I know there are those moms out there that don’t keep that weight on. For whatever reason, their bodies must burn calories like crazy–I don’t know. But if you are one of the blessed ones to keep those extra pounds on for a few months extra–remember that you are indeed blessed! Look down at that baby, and that’s all you need to remind you. Years will come when you will have an opportunity to get all that weight off. That’s happened to me now. After seven straight years (literally) of either pregnancy or nursing, I weaned my youngest when she turned 2 in July. It was definitely bittersweet, not knowing if there will be another. But after 7 years, I had really been wanting to do a cleanse for a long time. I knew I couldn’t do that while nursing so I stopped. We were both still enjoying the two nursings a day so I hope I didn’t make the wrong decision, but it’s done now!
What made me think of this today was that I had a postpartum visit with a family and their new baby last night. After 3 weeks, this mom was one of those back in her regular jeans. This was her first baby so that’s a little more understandable, but it certainly never happened to me! She was saying, however, how she certainly didn’t fit the “same way” into them. That is for sure! I have a friend whose child told her, “Mommy, they should use Mommy fat to make pillows.”
My kids tell me all the time how squishy (and wonderful) my tummy is. I remember telling my own mom that her tummy felt like jelly, and I could never understand why she didn’t take that as a compliment. But I remember plain and clear in my mind that that was a GOOD thing. So when my children say it, I don’t get offended. I try as hard as I can to take it as a compliment and remember what’s important. After five kids, I’m now about 5 pounds from my pre-pregnancy the first time (at 22 years old) weight. I can tell you that it’s a lot different on a 36 year old body with lots of pregnancies and breastfeedings!! But it’s not my desire to be the best looking mom at the beach or even in the church nursery! My goal is to be healthy enough to enjoy life with my kids. I want to be a good weight for me, and if that has a squishy tummy instead of a hard one to go along with it, well that’s okay! It gives my kids a nice pillow.
My body has been used as one of the most sacred things on earth–a safe, warm, nourishing home for these little ones we’ve been blessed with. And then it was used as their sole source of nourishment outside the body for at least 6 months or more. Our bodies are so amazing. They were fearfully and wonderfully made. I know not everyone has the same success stories with breastfeeding, and other things need to be done. I would encourage anyone who is struggling with breastfeeding to contact a lactation consultant immediately. Do everything you can to continue, but in the end–do what’s best for you and your baby.
I’m not going to go in to all the “normal” benefits of breastfeeding here. I’m sure anyone who’s reading this knows that there’s nothing out there that can beat the miracle of breastmilk. It’s filled with all sorts of immunity boosting, serotonin lifting, antibody filled goodness! It’s truly liquid gold and can be used for much more than just filling your baby’s tummy. If your little one has a clogged tear duct, just rub some breastmilk in there a few times. Within a few hours, it will be cleared up. Actually, you can do this instead of have them use erythromycin in their eyes in the hospital. If you don’t have an STD or group strep B, there’s not a whole lot of reason for them to put that goop in their eyes anyway! Your own breastmilk is much better to clear away any infection they may develop. It’s straight antibiotics coming straight from the body that they just came from!! Natures own packaging!! I usually rub a little my babies eyes after each feeding for the first couple of weeks just to ward off infections. Not only does it work great it baby’s eyes but also in any other little ones you may have that get pink eye or other eye infections. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve put it in my older kids eyes. They’ve never been grossed out by it. I guess because we don’t think breastmilk is a gross thing at our house.
You can also use breastmilk in a dropper to drop into an infected ear. Once again, it’s straight antibiotics. Any cuts or scrapes–yep, put breastmilk on them. Any ailment your baby (or other family member) has can usually be cured with nature’s remedy stored right in your amazing breasts!! That’s another thing–there’s never any worry about it going bad or being the wrong temperature. It’s always available, and you never have to measure enough out or “run out” of it if you gone longer than you think. Some other added benefits are the way it makes you feel. When you nurse, your brain produces serotonin which is the “feel good” hormone. It relaxes your whole body and sometimes makes you fall asleep. Go ahead and fall asleep (if you don’t have any other children running around that need your attention). It will be good for you and your baby!
Nursing in public can be an obstacle that some women (and their husbands) need to get past. You can certainly do this discreetly. It usually takes about 6 weeks with a first baby to really get good and comfortable with doing it at home and feel like you can do it while you’re out. One of the most important things to remember is to be confident in what you are doing. You are doing the best thing for your baby, and your baby has the right to eat in a decent place (not in a bathroom!!) Know the laws of your state. Every state has laws protecting nursing in public. If anyone says anything to you, be prepared with an answer. Don’t cower and quit. But I really believe that if you are confident in what you are doing, no one will say anything. I have nursed in public hundreds of times, and I’ve never had anyone say anything to me. And believe me, there were times I would have welcomed it because I wanted to be able to defend my right. That wasn’t right of me either–I shouldn’t have wanted to be argumentative (but that’s another story.) So be confident, know your rights, practice, practice, practice at home and then go out and feel free to nurse your baby on your soft, pillowy body with the liquid gold that nature gave you in your amazing breasts on your amazing body!!
