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Exclusive Breastfeeding: Is it Possible? What are the Benefits?

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If there’s anyone who is a strong advocate of breastfeeding, it is none other than yours truly. I managed to exclusively breastfeed Kitty for his first six months, something that I am absolutely proud of. Exclusive breastfeeding means that he never fed on anything else besides breastmilk for those six months.

And it didn’t end there. After I weaned him, I continued giving him only breastmilk until he was a year old. He never took formula or cow’s milk all that while. Just breastmilk, in addition to the other complementary foods I was giving him.

So how did I manage?

Friends, let me be honest and tell you that it was work, waaaahh! I used to express milk three times a day –first thing in the morning, at lunch time in the office, and first thing when I got back home in the evening. That year called for total sacrifice in immeasurable amounts that I wouldn’t even know where to begin narrating. For starters, my social life took a dip because I had to be home most of the time to ensure that he didn’t use up the stored milk in the freezer –that was reserved for when I was away at work.  But all the sacrifices were well worth it I tell you.

Kitty hasn’t stopped breastfeeding by the way, he still does so when I get back home from work in the evening and on weekends when I’m mostly at home.

So why am I glad I engaged in this year-long breastfeeding practice?

Because I know the benefits of breastmilk. I spoke to Pauline Ochola, a senior nursing officer who is incharge of the Makadara Health Center in Nairobi and she gives more details on this. Have a look.

By thew way, the World Health Organization says that breast milk is the natural first food for babies as it provides all the energy and nutrients that the infant needs for the first months of life, and it continues to provide up to half or more of a child’s nutritional needs during the second half of the first year, and up to one-third during the second year.

So to all you new moms who managed to exclusively breastfeed, kudos. And to you who are currently doing it, keep going. And to those who are planning to do so when they get their little ones -just know that you can do it too.

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Maryanne W. Waweru is a Kenyan mum raising her two sons in Nairobi. A journalist, Maryanne is passionate about telling stories and hopes that through her writing, her readers learn something new, feel encouraged, inspired, and appreciative of what they have in their lives. Maryanne's writing focuses on motherhood, women and lifestyle. "Telling stories is the only thing I know how to do," she says.

20 COMMENTS

  1. The truth about that: My youngest sister who suckled until she was two has had the fewest health issues of all my three siblings. She is physically stronger than the rest of us too.

    On another note: currently looking at my cousin’s baby shower lists and toying between the breast pump and the breast feeding bra… May go with the microwave sterilizer.

    Great post.

  2. The truth about that: My youngest sister who suckled until she was two has had the fewest health issues of all my three siblings. She is physically stronger than the rest of us too.

    On another note: currently looking at my cousin’s baby shower lists and toying between the breast pump and the breast feeding bra… May go with the microwave sterilizer.

    Great post.

  3. True @SheCyclesNairobi the benefits shew themselves in the long run. All those three are good shower ideas, whichever you choose I’m sure she’ll be grateful. My chama buddies got me a sterilizer during my shower and it came in quite handy. For the breastpumps and breastfeeding bra’s you can check out http://www.hunysuckle.com/ they have good ones to choose from.

  4. True @SheCyclesNairobi the benefits shew themselves in the long run. All those three are good shower ideas, whichever you choose I’m sure she’ll be grateful. My chama buddies got me a sterilizer during my shower and it came in quite handy. For the breastpumps and breastfeeding bra’s you can check out http://www.hunysuckle.com/ they have good ones to choose from.

  5. True, Maryanne i exclusively breastfed my boy, and after he continued until he was 2 years 3 months, rarely are we at the hospital.

  6. True, Maryanne i exclusively breastfed my boy, and after he continued until he was 2 years 3 months, rarely are we at the hospital.

  7. I had a bad experience with my first two kids. They ended up jaundiced and dehydrated coz I was tring to breastfeed exclusively. My milk doesn’t come in for about a week or two therefore with the next 2 kids I had them on formula until my milk was sufficient enough then I was able to breastfeed exclusively for 6 months. I would still breastfeed them as I weaned them though I found they refused to breast feed as soon as they learnt to walk which was at around 8-10 months. I however did not introduce cows milk until 1 year due to a history of allergies in the family.

  8. I had a bad experience with my first two kids. They ended up jaundiced and dehydrated coz I was tring to breastfeed exclusively. My milk doesn’t come in for about a week or two therefore with the next 2 kids I had them on formula until my milk was sufficient enough then I was able to breastfeed exclusively for 6 months. I would still breastfeed them as I weaned them though I found they refused to breast feed as soon as they learnt to walk which was at around 8-10 months. I however did not introduce cows milk until 1 year due to a history of allergies in the family.

  9. I am not promising anything but il try to breastfeed for 6 months exclusively but after 8 months, i intend to call it quits… no way am breastfeeding a human with teeth…. hahaha… just my thoughts.

  10. I am not promising anything but il try to breastfeed for 6 months exclusively but after 8 months, i intend to call it quits… no way am breastfeeding a human with teeth…. hahaha… just my thoughts.

  11. @Miss Babes I will be there to cheer you on as you do the 6 months and after that we’ll celebrate with a ding :). As for until the 8 months hehe…lakini seriously those bites can be painful how?

  12. @Miss Babes I will be there to cheer you on as you do the 6 months and after that we’ll celebrate with a ding :). As for until the 8 months hehe…lakini seriously those bites can be painful how?

  13. I exclusively b/fed my daughter for almost 7-8 months. She is still b/feeding at 2 years 2 months (despite all the nasty comments). We are rarely in hospital!

  14. I exclusively b/fed my daughter for almost 7-8 months. She is still b/feeding at 2 years 2 months (despite all the nasty comments). We are rarely in hospital!

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