Breastfeeding

photo from pregnancyandbaby.sheknows.com

I'm very passionate about breastfeeding. It's something I really look forward to and hope to be very successful at doing with my baby. I just read this article in the New York Times about the wonder of breast milk. I was inspired and horrified by the article. It's perfectly obvious that breastfeeding is natural and the most perfect food source for babies. On the other hand, it seems incredibly strange to me that people would want to give water to a baby. Water?! Babies don't drink water. Do they? 

After reading the article, I consulted two of the books I have about baby care. Dr. Spock and Montessori From the Start. I was disappointed to see that both books recommend water, fruit juice and even sugar water before six months of age. Tisk! Tisk! Come hell or high water, I'm going to breastfeed my baby exclusively for the first six months and continue breastfeeding until at least 18 months of age, maybe two years. I was breastfed until two, so it seems like a natural and normal thing to do to me.

It's no secret that breastfeeding can be difficult and frustrating for new mothers and babies, so I've taken the first step toward making sure I have adequate support during the initial adjustment period. I found the English-speaking La Leche League of Zurich. I will definitely be contacting them ahead of my due date and attending the September meeting before the baby comes.