Exclusive breastfeeding of a child - my experience

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The benefit of exclusive breastfeeding of a child can never be over emphasized though not always an easy task for every mom.

  Exclusive breastfeeding simply means that the infant receives only breast milk. No other liquids or solids are given, not even water, with the exception of oral rehydration solution, or drops/syrups of vitamins, minerals or medications.

World Health Organization (WHO) recommends exclusive breastfeeding up to 6months of age with continued breastfeeding along with appropriate complementary foods for up to 2years of age or longer.

According to "WHO" and and other health workers, breast milk contains antibodies that help a baby fight off viruses and bacteria and as that, the baby has an advantage of fewer hospitalization trips to the doctor.There are other benefits of exclusive breastfeeding which includes but not limited to the following:

  • it helps the baby to bond well with the mother thereby making the baby feel secured.
  • it has been linked to higher IQ scores in later childhood in some studies.
  • it's more economical and less stressful
  • it helps the mother born extra calories thereby reducing the pregnancy weight faster etc.

Having the broad knowledge on the many benefits of exclusive breastfeeding made me to go in for it and today, my baby and I are so much excited for the job well done!
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My baby is exactly 6months old today and we have been looking forward to see this day since we embarked on this journey of exclusive breastfeeding.

I had my baby through a ceaseran section (CS) delivery and I wanted to use this as an excuse not to proceed with the exclusive breastfeeding as earlier planned during the pregnancy but on a second thought, I told myself that I can still do it. Thank God for the kind nurse that was helping my baby and I all through my recovery period in the hospital. She made the job look easier for me, I would express breast milk and she will help me feed my baby till I was strong enough to carry the baby and breastfeed him myself without much pains again. I was discharged after some days from the hospital and while at home, we were diligently exclusively breastfeeding without compromising. After two months, the rate at which my baby demand for breast milk increased to X4, I could barely have a good 4hours of sleep all through the night. My baby is always awake especially at night sucking, I couldn't get much rest at night after so many house chores during the day. The thought of quitting and introducing him to infant formula came in. I kept pushing, taking all sorts of food that will help me lactate more but at the same time, the baby demand for food kept increasing both during the day and at night, I couldn't have time to attend to other things as supposed just because we are always sucking. My mom and my mother in-law on the other hand are still on my neck shouting at me on how I am starving their grand Son of water. I tried explaining to them that breast milk contains water too, mix of vitamins, proteins, fat and everything the baby needs to grow is embedded in breast milk but they failed to understand. They said there was nothing like that during their own time and I should stop being inconsiderate over that child that he is always thirsty 😀. My husband is another person that stood on the ground to ensure that I complete this task irrespective of what anyone says or what I feel about the stress.

Fast forward to when my baby was 4months old, the rate at which I lactate started dropping. My baby was always crying because he couldn't get enough breast milk like before. Then I resorted to finally quit and one afternoon, I dressed up and went to a supermarket to get the infant formula.

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Coincidentally my phone rang while still at the supermarket and it was my husband. I picked the call and he said, the place you are is so noisy, where are you? I told him I can no longer continue with the exclusive breastfeeding and I have come to shop for my baby milk. He encouraged me to try complete the task if not for anything,but for the benefit of our child. In his words, he said "it's just two months remaining. Then I told myself the second time that I can do this 😊🤦.

The remaining two months was like a magic seeing the rate at which I lactate. I was frequently taking things that helps a mother to lactate and I would lactate more than enough each day, it became so easy for me, my baby too could feed and get satisfied. Recently he started showing interest in adult food , he could drag anything eatable but I told him to calm down because we are almost done.
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Finally, the exclusive breastfeeding ended today. My baby has taken the long awaited water and other little baby food already and I saw the excitement in his face, he didn't want the Water to be removed from his mouth 😀. I am happy that I completed this task after so many attempt to quit🤦, happy me!!

Feeling so fulfilled

  All photos are mine taken with my cell phone and with the permission of the supermarket attendant.


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2 comments
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congratulation my dear friend. You have done well nursing our boy for this past 6 months.

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