Breastfeeding

^^Rats you beat me to the immune system bit! Breast milk is more nutritious, and yes, it also transfers the mothers antibodies to the baby hence boosting the baby's immune system.

I definitely plan on BF when I have kid(s).

There are really no set rules about it, Natpolitana. In general, the longer you can do it, the better, but just like Storm Crow experienced, once they get past a year and a half and are toddling around and also eating solids, too, they mostly just want to nurse for comfort and nuturing. The babies get the immunity benefits fairly fast, like during the very early weeks and months, which is, I'm sure, nature's design for protecting them when they're at their most vulnerable. A large part of the immuno-protection comes to the babies through the colostrum, which is is the "first milk" substance that isn't even really milk.
Colostrum - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

One of the neatest things is that pregnancies and breastfeeding both reduce a women's risk of developing breast cancer, and they lower the risk of ovarian and uterine cancer, too. No one fully understands how or why this benefit occurs, but it appears to be beneficial to the female body to give it a break from ovulation. (Just as you don't ovulate and have a normal monthly cycle when you're pregnant, you usually don't ovulate when you're nursing, either.)
Why Breastfeed?* You will have less chance of* Breast Cancer and other Cancers

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Originally Posted by birdgirl73

One of the neatest things is that pregnancies and breastfeeding both reduce a women's risk of developing breast cancer, and they lower the risk of ovarian and uterine cancer, too. No one fully understands how and why this benefit occurs, but it appears to be beneficial to the female body to give it a break from ovulation. (Just as you don't ovulate and have a normal monthly cycle when you're pregnant, you usually don't ovulate when you're nursing, either.)
Why Breastfeed? You will have less chance of Breast Cancer and other Cancers

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Maybe its nature's way of giving you incentives to be a mom and do it the natural way.

Use it or loose it baby.

Birdgirl, I think I may know why breastfeeding reduces women's chances of getting breast cancer (i dunno about cancer in general though)... Most breast cancer tumors are estrogen dependant, and when breastfeeding, women's reproductive hormones are repressed- natures way of preventing another baby too soon. If estrogen is lowered, I would assume the chances of getting estrogen-dependant breast cancer would be lowered as well. Interesting stuff.

edit: I learned about the estrogen-dependant tumors in my Psychology of Sexuality class, but you can read more about it here Research Page: Control of Estrogen Production in Breast Cancer

Makes sense to me! And that's certainly what that article at the link I posted above said, too. I think with the other cancers whose chances are lowered as a result of breastfeeding and pregnancy, the lowered estrogen plays a role, too. This makes sense, also, because on the opposite side end of this situation, taking artificial estrogens like, say, after menopause, can increase the risks of those same cancers.

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Originally Posted by Breukelen advocaat

I don't know what they call it, but there is a device that allows breastfeeding women to extract their milk and save it until they have an opportune time to feed their baby. There was a women at my wife's workplace that did it in the ladyâ??s lounge, and put the bottled stuff in the employees' refrigerator for the rest of the day - where many of them kept their lunch, snacks, etc. Even parents were disgusted by it, many employees complained to management, and she was told to stop the practice.

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I would have sued! I did pump at work and stored it in the fridge. I am a 19 year old BF mom to an 8 month old. I don't care if you pump or supply it strait from the tap Breast is best. We plan on 1 year because after that cows milk can be used. I also believe that all children NEED for the first year is breastmilk, Solids are something the child and parents choose to start but are not needed till after the first year. That being said We do eat solids here. As for BF in public I'll whip it out anywhere anytime, I tried to cover up in the begining but she just pulls the covers off. I'm perfectly fine with that. When my babe needs to eat I feed her. It is completely natural.

I feel that formula should have to be prescribed for mothers who can not breastfeed or choose not to with the support of their doctor. Especially people on social assistence, they should be breastfeeding it's free. I had major issues adjusting to the sexual nature of breasts while pregnant and dealt with the pain and adjustment.

Really when you look at it breastfeeding is cheaper, easier once established, better for your child and chasnges as your child grows. I hear so many sleep deprived moms talk about night wakings and feedings, you just take your babe into bed feed her then move her back to her crib.

I practiced some areas of ATTACHMENT PARENTING and breastfeeding is a large foundation of it. If you really want to check these places out and read why some people choose to extend breastfeeding.
Breast feeding beyond infancy Breastfeeding Beyond Infancy - MotheringDotCommune Forums
Child lead weaning Child-Led Weaning - MotheringDotCommune Forums
Breastfeeding in general Breastfeeding - MotheringDotCommune Forums
And breastfeeding challenges Breastfeeding Challenges - MotheringDotCommune Forums
And Lactivism for the work related issues, Lactivism - MotheringDotCommune Forums

Breastfeeding is our right and pumping is an extension of that that needs to be protected and encouraged

I agree with you...I really don't see a problem with storing breast milk in an office fridge. Formula would be ok, right? As long as the bottle is clean and milk isn't leaking all over the place I really don't see what all the fuss would be about. BF is natural, and it's the healthiest way to feed a baby so it should be encouraged.

Jumping in late here...quick post, I'll come back to this later if it's still active.

I breastfed both my daughters, the older one until she was 3 and 1/2, the second one until she was 2 and 1/4. After the 2nd one was born, I tandem nursed for nearly a month, then I just couldn't take it anymore LOL! I used to have a hard time keeping weight on, and those two were literally draining me dry. I had no ass at all. I was skin, bones, and giant mammaries.

I breastfed my kids everywhere I went. Church, mall, restaurants, courthouse, park, you name it. Nobody ever seemed to mind, or actually even notice. I am a staunch advocate of breastfeeding. I did a paper on it in college, which I had to present. I gave my speech with my daughter at my side, and she was so charming, intelligent, and such a picture of robust health that many younger girls came to me after class to tell me they were going to breastfeed when they had children.

I am excited to begin having kids so that I can breastfeed, that is, when I have a steady job, good income, a loving man, ect.

It sounds kind of cheesy, but whenever I see the looks of happiness on a mom who just got her baby to latch well for the first time, it makes me swell up inside with happiness :D