Breastfeeding... my passion and first giveaway!

Breastfeeding is probably at the top of my PASSION list. Okay, it is at the top of my list!!  Breastfeeding has been so fundamental to me, to my kids, to my journey as a Mama.  It was a huge struggle with Javan, but still the foundation of our time together, after he was born and for 6 months.  Halia was born ready to nurse, and is pretty committed to nursing for the rest of her life! 

There are so many benefits to breastfeeding, for baby, for Mamas, for the community and for the world! Just to name a few:

• Immunological benefits for baby - exclusively breastfed babies are admitted to hospital less, have less fevers, less bouts of gastrointestinal issues, less respiratory illness etc. etc. etc. :)
• Life-long benefits - breastfed babies has less issues with obesity, less cancer, less osteoarthritis, less chronic illness etc. etc.
• Mamas have lots of benefits -- (some) loose pregnancy weight sooner, they have less chance of developing breast cancer (really!), less occurances of postpartum depression etc.
• The community experiences benefits in that breastfed babies are healthier, less taxing on the healthcare system and families who work, have less sick days due to sick kids!
• The world benefits from breastfeeding because there is NO pollution & NO waste!

Hmm?? Sounds pretty good hey? 

One of my goals in the next year or two is to become a Board Certified Lactation Consultant.  I want to be equipped to support women and couples with their breastfeeding issues and concerns.  I LOVE supporting women with breastfeeding.  I have enjoyed every moment of the last two years, leading a peer support group with La Leche League Canada.  It is proven that women who participate in peer support groups for breastfeeding, breastfeed longer!

So, in celebration of World Breastfeeding Week (August 1-7, 2010) and the upcoming Global Breastfeeding Challenge (October 2nd, 2010) I am giving away a hot-off-the-press copy of the Womanly Art of Breastfeeding, 8th Edition.  Once my "followers" reach 50, I'll do a random draw of all the followers!  Follower and share!

Find the WAB on Amazon!