Breastfeeding: Nursing Mothers’ Reflections on the Beatitudes

August 2nd, 2014

1. Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs Is the kingdom of heaven.

Lord, you could have been born anywhere—in a beautiful place, in a wealthy family, but you chose a stable. You chose poverty. Yet you had everything! A loving mother and father, warmth, and plenty of milk for your sustenance. I have no choice. My life is simple because of my situation. My husband’s job brings in enough money to meet our needs and still allows me to stay home with my baby.

Our baby is a true gift from you, Lord. I enjoy nursing him so much. How Our Lady must have enjoyed holding you so close as you suckled from each breast.

I do try to look for chances where I can choose a less expensive item whenever possible. I have a friend who does this better than I. When she has a new baby and people want to give her gifts, she asks for only secondhand clothes or other items. I have tried to follow her example by not purchasing brand new items or clothing when secondhand purchases are just as good and cost less. This has saved us money, especially in the area of bedding and furniture. I remember a priest at a seminar who wore a black cardigan that had holes in it, but the holes did not show up because of his black priestly outfit. Needless to say, Lord, that priest made an impression on me.

I’ve given our baby the best start in life by breastfeeding him. This also has saved us money. Besides the breastfeeding, I pray that I continue to feed my baby well with good foods as he ages and my husband and future family as well. Homemade meals with soups and breads are more nutritious than store meals and also help a family to save money. Please give me the energy and time to do this without feeling guilty if I have to resort to the quick store meal occasionally.

I pray that my husband and I can continue to share with others through tithing and by the use of our talents. When a relative or neighbor is in need, please give me the graces to help without grumbling and with a good and willing heart.

Our baby continues to grow big and strong. Breastfeeding is so good for him. Our pediatrician is supportive of exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months of life. Thank you, Lord, for that wonderful physician. My husband and I are thin and tall, so our robust baby looks out of character for our family. We thank you, Lord, for your plan for mother and baby. Choosing to breastfeed has simplified my life. His food is always available without any work on my part. I have yet to buy any formula or bottles. Again, thank you, Lord, for all you’ve done for me and my family. (anonymous mother)
(Sheila Kippley, 2005)

(A 30% discount is now offered on all Kippley print books at lulu through August 7 in recognition of NFP week and World Breastfeeding Week.  In addition, Sophia is offering a 25% discount on Breastfeeding and Catholic Motherhood through August 7.  The code for this discount is “motherhood.” Ignatius Press is offering Sex and the Marriage Covenant for only $6.00 through August 31.))

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Breastfeeding: Nursing Mothers’ Reflections on the Beatitudes

August 1st, 2014

Introduction

One of the joys of my 40-some years of counseling and sharing breastfeeding experiences has been getting to know, at least slightly, the mothers who phoned or wrote or who became personal friends. They were a regular source of inspiration for me. It was an honor to be part of their lives for a while.  I decided some time ago to write their stories using the beatitudes.

The backgrounds and the experiences of these mothers varied widely, but they had in common a desire to do God’s will and to do what is best for their children. Collectively they have been like facets on a jewel. The Beatitudes are also like facets of the jewel of Christian faith. Each helps us to see a particular aspect of discipleship.

Each of these thoughts on the Beatitudes reflects in one way or another the experience of mothers I have been privileged to know. Each reflection represents the experiences or thoughts of a different nursing mother. I found their attitudes refreshing, and I hope that some small part of their jewel-like sparkle manages to get through the words that follow.

(A 30% discount is now offered on all Kippley print books at lulu through August 7 in recognition of NFP week and World Breastfeeding Week.  In addition, Sophia is offering a 25% discount on Breastfeeding and Catholic Motherhood through August 7.  The code for this discount is “motherhood.” Ignatius Press is offering Sex and the Marriage Covenant for only $6.00 through August 31.))

To be continued daily during World Breastfeeding Week.
Sheila Kippley
Breastfeeding and Catholic Motherhood

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7. Natural Family Planning and Ecological Breastfeeding

July 26th, 2014

As the original article indicated, we have been promoting ecological breastfeeding as a form of natural family planning since 1969 and even earlier.  How much progress have we made?  NFPI is currently the only NFP organization in America that teaches and promotes eco-breastfeeding.  That is truly sad because it is God’s plan for spacing babies.

There are some minor changes since 1971. Then we wrote, “We don’t think that a mother should breatfeed just to get the side effect of natural infertility.” Today we need to add that there is nothing wrong with that motive even though it’s not the best.  There is nothing wrong with doing eco-breastfeeding to seek any of its benefits.  In our culture, however, if moms are going to continue to breastfeed, they will need to do so for the fuller reason of all the benefits for their babies.

The “nap” standard is not mentioned in this 1971 article. Why?  Naps were common for mothers in the Sixties.  Many of our friends with young children knew the benefits of taking a nap.  They took naps whether breastfeeding or bottle-feeding.  They simply took the phone off the hook during naptime.  We did not have answering machines in those days.  We now know of three books that promote the benefits of taking a nap geared for young adult students or grown adults. Sheila has included these books in her chapter on the Fifth Standard in her book, The Seven Standards of Ecological Breastfeeding.

John and I have written or contacted many dioceses, priests, bishops, and the Popes to promote the teaching of ecological breastfeeding in NFP programs.  Some day these efforts will bear fruit.  The local church and the NFP movement cannot ignore indefinitely the reality and blessings of eco-breastfeeding.  The most encouraging signs are mothers who discover eco-breastfeeding and express their enthusiasm for this form of natural infertility in their blogs.  We hope you enjoyed these NFP Awareness Week blogs.

To show the natural spacing benefits of eco-breastfeeding, go to the CNML’s blog.

(A 30% discount is now offered on all Kippley print books at lulu through August 7 in recognition of NFP week and World Breastfeeding Week.  In addition, Sophia is offering a 25% discount on Breastfeeding and Catholic Motherhood through August 7.  The code for this discount is “motherhood.” Ignatius Press is offering Sex and the Marriage Covenant for only $6.00 through August 31.))

Sheila Kippley

Posted in Ecological Breastfeeding, NFP Week 2014 | 1 Comment »

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