A Good Source

If you are a nursing mother (or soon to be), the Internet may be a bit overwhelming when you turn to it for guidance, ideas, or problems related to breastfeeding (or everything else). For that reason, I am happy to provide you with the most helpful, informative site related to breastfeeding online:



www.kellymom.com

This site was brought to my attention by my beauteous, fantabulous sister-in-law, Julie who, as a labor & delivery nurse and mother of four, knows a thing or two about being a mommy. The site is easy to navigate, easier to understand, and very practical. It provides info about everything from technique to scheduling to what medicines you can take and so on.



Also...no thanks to the media sensationalizing a story (can you believe it??), there has been a ton of press about the battlefield between breast and bottle. MySpace refuses to allow the posting of pictures of nursing mothers, while the federal government is considering a tax incentive for mothers who breastfeed exclusively for the first six months of their child's life.



First, the MySpace mandate is just curious. Do a lot of women want pictures of themselves and their child nursing for the global communitt at large? I don't know about you but, when I'm enjoying a meal, I don't exactly want pictures of it published for all to see (though, that may provide more impetus to stop eating less than favorable foods). Secondly, have you been on MySpace lately? I have, and let's just say that, given the current content, pictures of mother and child nursing are about as provocative as a belly button. The fact that MySpace would take the time to ban one type of image, but not a tattooed derriere is just plain wacky.



As for the government's initiative to encourage breastfeeding...I happen to think it's one of those ideas that looks great on paper, but would prove difficult when put into action. I mean, how would you go about verifying a woman exclusively breastfeeding? Is a federal employee going to appear at my door and watch me nurse all day? If so, do you think I could get them to change a diaper or two as well? At least help out with the finger paints?

When it comes down to it, I have one very determined stance. As a mother who nursed both children, I can say that it has been a positive experience. I wanted to do it, and it came easily and I wouldn't change a thing. If that is your route too-- great. If, on the other hand, it proves to hard or you're just not interested in it/can't see yourself doing it-- I happen to think that is great too. I think the more important issue is that our children have happy, healthy moms. Which means, by choosing to do what works well for you, you will be content and, consequently, your children will be as well!

I know this can be a touchy subject, but as mothers who all happen to love their children, better to focus on our shared experiences than worrying about what divides us. And, as for the media, I think there's something going on in Iraq right now....just in case it's a slow news day.