Love is Patient, Love is Kind. Love is Breastfeeding?

This seemed appropriate for the day after Valentine's Day. It's truly impressive how many ways love can be defined. So impressive that Dictionary.com defines the four letter word 28 different ways. If it can be defined at least 28 ways, then I'm guessing the possibilities are endless for showing love. I'm currently (as in, while I'm typing this) loving my 2 month old by breastfeeding him. Go ahead and re-read that but you probably read it right the first time. Let me explain.
Every time I nurse my baby I'm creating a stronger bond with him. He feels safe and secure in my arms, the sound of my heart soothes him, and he ultimately feels loved. Because I want the best for him, I chose to follow the advice of experts and breastfeed. Every 3 hours, all day long for the first year of his life. That's a serious commitment. It's not always easy and it's not always convenient. And {THAT} to me, is one of the reasons that breastfeeding is an act of love. If breastfeeding was always easy then it would be no different than brushing your teeth, just another part of the daily routine. Instead, it's a journey you take with your baby. There are a few things you can do to help keep "that lovin' feeling" while you're on the journey.

5 Simple Ways To Promote Positive Breastfeeding

1. Before you begin feeding your baby grab a glass of cold water and a snack! Who says you both can't have a treat? Your baby will get the nourishment it needs, make sure you do too.
2. Get comfy. You can buy nursing stools, pillows, etc. but it doesn't mean that's the right way. Find the way that you and your baby are the most comfortable.
3. Always make sure your baby is properly latched. The majority of breastfeeding problems, such as clogged ducts, nipple soreness, etc. come from an improper latch. Here's a great LINK for position suggestions and way to check for a proper latch on.
4. Read your favorite book... out loud. Babies love the sound of their mother's voice and this gives you approximately 15-30 minutes every feeding to sneak in your favorite author.
5. Breathe. Relax. Give yourself a pat on the back! You deserve it!

This week is dedicated to Breastfeeding, an act of love. We'll have a few awesome giveaways and tons of helpful information! Become a subscriber and be sure you don't miss a single thing!