Today I share with you an interesting article from Christina Strauch, Alternative practitioner about breastfeeding. I hope you like it.

As a non-medical practitioner specialising in paediatrics, Christina specialises in showing parents natural ways to lovingly stand by their children when they are ill and help them to get well again under their own steam. Because this is invaluable for children and shapes them for their whole lives. Christina lives in Switzerland with her husband and their two children.

Are you still breastfeeding?

Every mum who breastfeeds her child for more than 6 months has probably heard this or similar questions aka accusations many times. Unfortunately, when mothers decide to feed their children in the way that nature intended, it always leads to irritation in our western world. I just read again that a mother was asked by a pool attendant to stop breastfeeding or to leave the pool. And that was only because ONE elderly gentleman was bothered by it.

Breasts as far as the eye can see

You see half-naked breasts on every second advertising poster. Quite normal. And if a mother is breastfeeding her baby, who is looking blissfully at her, that's a problem. Sad world. Did you know that the natural age of weaning among indigenous peoples is between 2 and 7 years? That's years, not months! I actually breastfed my son for almost 5 years. For about 2 of those years I only nursed him to fall asleep. It was a wonderful ritual and we both loved it very much. Then he stopped for days at a time and at some point it was the last time. He decided for himself when the time was right for him to let go of me a little more. And I would do it that way again and again.

Shut up complainers

What can you do if you breastfeed your child for a long time, or rather for normal time, and keep getting annoying comments about when you are finally going to stop? The most important answer, which usually takes away the basis for all further discussions, is:

"For my family, it's the right thing to do!"

I've had the best experience with that, because when you start arguing, you're always in the discussion and you're throwing the balls back and forth and in the end the relationship or friendship suffers.

On my Instagram channel @breastfeedingislove I have written a lot about this topic in the past and you will find a lot of information about breastfeeding and good ways to counter stupid questions and comments with wit and charm. Here are a few examples:

Breastfeeding is more than just food

The advantages of (long-term) breastfeeding are obvious and have been clearly proven scientifically:

• Strengthens the bond between mother and child
• Your milk adapts to your child's needs
• You always have the perfect food with you in the right quantity and temperature
• Reduces the risk of allergies
• Reduces the risk of breast cancer
• Reduces susceptibility to infection
• Has a favourable effect on jaw development
• And many more...

To be honest, I don't know why opinions differ so much on the subject of breastfeeding and why there are always heated arguments between mothers. I would simply like to encourage you to find your own way and go it. A way that is right for you and your baby, because you can never please everyone. I sincerely wish you a lot of joy in breastfeeding, personal responsibility in your decisions and, once in a while, enough quick-wittedness to charmingly shake off annoying nagging people 😉 I would like to encourage you to find your own way.

All love,

Your Christina

www.instagram.com/stillenistliebe

www.christinastrauch.com

Today I share with you an emotional and heartfelt text by Beatriz Noriega Ortega, a Lactation consultantabout the first moments in our babies' lives. I hope you like it.

Connection before and after birth

Close your eyes and imagine you are a baby in your mother's body. You can feel the warmth of her body, take a deep breath and listen, boom boom boom, that's her heart, can you feel her moving? Mummy is going for a walk, or maybe she's dancing. Do you like that? Surely you feel good, protected and safe. 

Take a deep breath and imagine for a moment that you have just been born. For the first time you feel air on your body, in your lungs, but don't worry, mum is there. You are no longer in her body, but you will always be a part of her and she a part of you. 

The connection between baby and mother is uniqueThey were one and the same organism, and from one moment to the next it is no longer so, but it is still the same. the connection remains through breastfeeding. In the first months of life, babies spend a lot of time at their mother's breast, because that's where the connection continues and is renewed again and again.... When you breastfeed your baby, I recommend that you look your baby in the eye, talk to him and share your feelings with him, whether it is sadness or anger. You and your baby are one and the same, what you feel, he feels. Don't be afraid to tell him what your heart feels. Sing, because your voice accompanied it to sleep when it was still inside you, you are its safe place. If you are worried or stressed because the place is messy, remember that it will get messy again, but the bond you build with your baby will last a lifetime, so the laundry and dishes can wait. 

This phase lasts only a short time and flies by. Make the most of every moment, because suddenly the day may come when he or she will need fewer kisses and hugs, and looks, and strive for independence. And yes, we will be proud, but oh how we will miss those cuddles. We will be left with the photos, the memories, the blanket we keep. But what better reminder of breastfeeding than the jewel of mother's milk, proof that we were once our baby's whole world. 

Beatriz Noriega Ortega

Lactation consultant

www.lactancia-berlin.com