“If I don’t know my options, I don’t have any.”

~ Diana Korte

This quote comes from a blog post of quotes collected by Birth Without Fear. The quotes are about birthing a child, but I feel this one also applies to breastfeeding (and all things mothering, really).

Knowledge is power!  There are so many different ways to do things and it is up to us to find what works for our families.

Click here to read the birth quotes and affirmations.  With the impending birth of my first child (due Feb.8th), I found the quotes very empowering!

What are your favourite motherhood quotes?

The best thing to spend on your children is time

~ Unknown

I’m not sure who originally said this.  I found it amongst other excellent (and humorous) parenting observations on breastfeeding.com.

With the holiday season upon us, money and presents seem to have a way of taking over the spirit of things.  Another interpretation of this quote is for breastfeeding mothers specifically.  The holidays can often be a busy, hectic time and unintended early weaning can be something that a little extra time can help avoid.  This excellent post by Nurtured Child has tips and advice to keep up your milk supply and fend off well-meaning relatives!

What special activities do you do with your children during the holidays?

A baby will make love stronger, days shorter, nights longer, bankroll smaller, home happier, clothes shabbier, the past forgotten and the future worth living for.
~ Author Unknown

Countless women have regained trust in their bodies through nursing their children, even if they weren’t sure at first that they could do it.  It is an act of female power, and I think of it as feminism in its purest form.

~ Christine Northrup

I love the attitude that breastfeeding is empowering.  That a woman can feel such strength and trust in her body and nourish another human being, that is something to be celebrated!

Happy Monday!

While we try to teach our children all about life, Our children teach us what life is all about.
~Angela Schwindt

How true.  It even seems to be the case with breastfeeding.  I am reading, researching and joining groups to find out as much information as I can, but I know when my baby arrives in February that they will be teaching me what it really means!

Before I got married I had six theories about bringing up children; now I have six children and no theories.
~ John Wilmot

So it is not a direct breastfeeding quote, but I think the sentiment still applies.  Whether it is parenting theories or ideas about breastfeeding, before and after actually having children can make a big difference.  I am on the before side, being pregnant with my first child.  I have many ideas (theories) about how I’d like to be as a parent and especially as a breastfeeding mother.  I think it is great that I formulate my thoughts before I actually have a child, but I have a sneaking suspicion that many of my ideas will be tossed out the window (or at least thrown against it a few times:))  Children, especially newborns, have their own ideas too!

Did you breastfeed longer or shorter than you “planned”?  Before birth were you adamant the child would not share your bed and then attachment parenting suited you and your family best?  Did any of your parenting plans get a makeover once your little one arrived?

“As long as you can – breastfeed! And get that protection into your child.”

Dr. David Rose, Deputy Director, Maternal and Primary Care Administration, DC Department of Health

Momzelle recently received beautiful pictures of a Momzelle mom nursing her toddler and we wanted to share them.
Thank you, Cristy!

How long do you plan to breastfeed?

The benefits to the mother of immediate breastfeeding are innumerable, not the least of which after the weariness of labor and birth is the emotional gratification, the feeling of strength, the composure, and the sense of fulfillment that comes with the handling and suckling of the baby.
~Ashley Montague

I have just moved to a new city and I needed to find a doctor quickly, as I am fourteen weeks pregnant.  I feel quite lucky to have found one and even luckier that the hospital I will be delivering at has a very comprehensive breastfeeding policy.  They have taken it from the recommendations of the WHO.  It ensures that I will be given immediate opportunity to breastfeed.  It is so important to me and this quote gives me yet another perspective.  I wanted to have skin to skin contact immediately for the benefit of the child, to help us bond, to comfort them, to provide them nourishment and security, but I didn’t think about how I would benefit too!

“I’m busy milking all day long. I feel like I have probably lost a good 75 percent of my brain power. … I say it halved itself and it halved itself again. It’s not just the sleep deprivation, it is the breastfeeding and I call it the ‘lactose lobotomy.’”

~ Naomi Watts on David Letterman

Just beginning my second trimester with my first child, I am feeling the pregnancy scatterbrain syndrome (where did I put my keys?…).  The “lactose lobotomy” is new to me.  Something else to look forward to on the breastfeeding adventure!

Click here for more sweet and funny celebrity quotes on breastfeeding on Babble.com.