What made you decide to breastfeed your child?
After having breastfed the first one for 18 months, I wanted to be fair and nurse the following two that amount, also. I had weaned my first child after 18 months after my doctor fussed at me for nursing so long.
Is this the first child you've breastfed?
My five children were born starting in 1978. The first three children were born in 1978, 1981, and 1983 and I breastfed them 18 months.
Is there anything you'd do differently next time?
After my third child in 1983, I decided I would try weaning when the child was ready. When I gave birth to a wonderfully easy child to take care of in 1986, I allowed her to nurse until she was nearly 5 years old. In 1991, I gave birth once more to a baby who again wanted to nurse until nearly 5.
What did you enjoy most about breastfeeding?
Following these children through school: each one of the five have been excellent students, with the first four being "A Honor Roll" students throughout high school. The last child is an 8th grader and is always on the "A Honor Roll." It isn't as though we push them to achieve this high. They just do. Of course, I know the reading I did for them in their early years helped, too. We read and read and read, all kinds of kid's stories and the Bible.
What was the hardest part of breastfeeding?
I did notice more ear infections in the three that were weaned after 18 months.
My husband and I are college grads and I, with my Master's degree, and we both felt the children needed me most during those years to be at home. To date, none of the five have needed any surgery, their visits to the doctor are minimal, ear infections were minimal and their weight gain and height was usually in the upper 75 percent of growth curve that the doctor visits showed in their charts. My first child is 27; secon is 25; third is 22; fourth is 19; and the fifth child is 14. All are in great health, with my last child never having had chicken pox -- all the first four did. The first three had measles and the last two haven't. All these things make up very unusual profiles, I believe that totally support the usefulness of breastfeeding -- not to mention the great mom and child time! None smokes as we never smoked at home, nor drinks excessively in those that legally can drink; and all have proper motivation for work and achievement.
Tips and Tricks
- I just thought and still think the world of breastfeeding -- would recommend it to anyone, as easily the best thing for physical reasons, I ever did for my kids.
- I would say for the best health of the child -- nursing is optimum. My children were all very attached to me, as their mom, and preferred me, more often than anyone. And, that made sense because for all but one, I was home for most of their days and nights from birth to 5 years of age. Stay home if you can.
- The same daddy for all five children was very supportive of our nursing/baby combination.
