Should I Bother? Exercise and Breast-feeding

Let's get to the point- should I exercise? Really? Should I bother? I've been debating this for a while now. I'm a mamma of 3 and feel a responsibility to start being more active- I don't mean becoming a crazy workout queen- but just getting 20 mins a day of blood flowing, moving and grooving.

If I look at the pros and cons maybe that will help?

Pros- list of health benefits too many to mention for my physical and emotional health

- provides a little bit of quiet time for me to reflect

- even if it is hard to start with it and intermittently- overall it will feel good

- it can cost practically nothing unlike the alternative (being unhealthy and unfit )

Cons- it takes time

- it takes effort

- there is a learning curve

- sometimes you do all of this and you still get sick

You know my mom didn't always exercise, lots of my friends don't exercise, they are all ok. It kinda bugs me how those people keep saying it is so natural- gravity is natural- i roll off of the bed and i hit the floor. That is natural. Having to exercise is not really that "natural" is it if it makes me sweat!

But I *know* in my heart of hearts i really should exercise- make a commitment to really do it. It doesn't make sense not to. Not really. Even if i didn't get excited by the thought. This is what is best- for me, for my family, for my healthcare system and for my community at large because i'd be setting a good example and helping to normalize something healthy. And i'm going to encourage you to do it as well!

I hope i didn't offend anyone by this post- I hope there are no injured people out there- or people who cannot physically exercise who think that by me proclaiming the well known beneifts of exercise that I am judging you. I have a feeling that there are not.

Ironically if I did this same post about breastfeeding there would be lots of ruffled feathers. Lets see what it would look like ;

Let's get to the point- should I breastfeed? Really? Should I bother? I've been debating this for a while now. I'm a mamma of 3 and feel a responsibility to comment on the breast vs bottle debate- I don't mean becoming a crazy lactation nutcase- but just helping to inform new moms who are sitting making this decision.

If I look at the pros and cons maybe that will help?

Pros- list of health benefits too many to mention for my physical and emotional health

-and the health of my baby (for the duration of their lifetime!)

- provides a little bit of quiet time for me to reflect

- even if it is hard to start with it and intermittently- overall it will feel good

- it can cost practically nothing unlike the alternative (formula )

Cons- it takes time

- it takes effort

- there is a learning curve

- sometimes you do all of this and you or your baby could still get sick

You know my mom didn't breastfeed me, lots of my friends don't breastfeed, they are all ok. It kinda bugs me how those people keep saying it is so natural- gravity is natural- i roll off of the bed and i hit the floor. That is natural. Having to breastfeed takes effort doesn't it.

But I *know* in my heart of hearts i really should breastfeed- make a commitment to really do it. It doesn't make sense not to. Not really. Even if i didn't get excited by the thought. This is what is best- for me, for my family, for my healthcare system and for my community at large because i'd be setting a good example and helping to normalize something healthy. And i'm going to encourage you to do it as well!

Of course the difference is that everyone would tell you that exercise is good for you and therefore you should do it. When it comes to nursing everyone seems to imply that while it is good for you it really is a personal decision you should make carefully after weighing the pros and cons. If we really looked at the social, economical, environmental issues as stake we would all be forced to admit that the "cons" pale in comparison. But most don't want to go there- they don't want to offend anyone or take away the mother's choice.

Bottom line? Breast is best is a foolish campaign. Our bodies grow babies in our womb and we don't start second guessing and wonder if maybe we should surgically try to grow them somewhere else. That is the way we were designed. For those who cannot naturally get pregnant then there are all sorts of neato options to consider AT THAT TIME- but everyone will agree if you can get pregnant the good old fashioned way that make the most sense. Same with breastfeeding. This shouldn't be a debate. We shouldn't make pro and con lists.

There shouldn't be mothers up in arms feeling all offended.

Your breasts make milk for the baby your body just made. This is not rocket science. Feed baby with that milk. IF you cannot....then there are lots of scientific medical advancements that can help you- including formula. So if you need to use formula use it- without the guilt or judgments of others. Imagine a world where when you pull out a bottle everyone assumes that you are doing the best you can for your child rather than suggest you might have made a bad CHOICE ? I think we need to stop the DEBATE about breastfeeding and just let it be normalized. There is no CHOICE- not really- not if we are all being honest with ourselves. For those who can- breastfeed- for those who cannot- bottle feed. Parenting is fraught with all sorts of debates and stresses- this shouldn't be one of them! (and don't forget if you are looking to donate or for donor milk the facebook group human milk 4 human babies is a great place to start)

But to sit and decide should what should I do? should I bother? Is like asking if you should bother cleaning your teeth or washing your hair or getting your butt off the couch for 20 mins per day of course you should. It is not always easy (read my entry from last month

Nursing ) but it is worth it!