Happy World Breastfeeding week!!

“But You are He who took Me out of the womb; You made Me trust while on My mother’s breasts. I was cast upon You from birth. From My mother’s womb You have been My God.”

Psalms 22:9-10 

The photo of a baby breastfeeding and flowers blooming is circulating on my Facebook. And it's so fitting! This is how I see it. A baby is nourished from their mothers breast and copious amounts of positive things happen for the child's physical and mental health! From that mysterious milk concoction, a baby develops and grows. It positively cultivates their intestinal health. It brings them joy and relaxation from the cannabinoids. Breastmilk has antibacterial properties. It can help heal and moisturizer  their skin. A mothers milk can cure eye infections and can help heal skin ailments (psoriasis etc). Breastfeeding teaches a baby patience as they wait for the milk to let down. Breastfeeding gives a child his/her first hard work, it's not an easy task to nurse! I have watched both of my babies as their jaw and cheek muscles work vigorously to bring the milk to their mouths. That's why at the beginning babies take time to learn to effectively nurse, the muscles have to develop. 

As they grow older, they learn more patience because sometimes they have to wait for their milk meal until the car stops, mama is done eating, showering, cooking, parenting big brother (in Rivers case) or cleaning up a mess. There's an abundant amount of cuddling that happens during a breastfeeding journey, it's fleeting and beautiful! 

Some babies want to nurse and fall asleep and they need that connection to find dreamland. That's how Elijah was. Some babies will nurse until satisfied, let go and then they want to snuggle to sleep. Other babies want some combination of things above. River tends to nurse until full and then find sleep about 10-30 mins later while being rocked or held. She's a snuggle baby. And it's wonderful to give her what she needs! 

Happy Breastfeeding week! // #worldbreastfeedingweek