Milkweeds belong to the family Asclepiadaceae, derived from Asklepios, the Greek god of medicine and healing. Monarch butterflies are attracted to the plants and lay their eggs there. The larvae feed exclusively on milkweeds although it is poisonous to most other insects and animals. As they grow, the plump, zebra striped caterpillars gorge themselves on the milkweed sap which, in turn, makes them poisonous to birds. It was designed this way on purpose.
Breast feeding is designed to help baby grow and develop, in a protected safe environment. Much like the milkweed, breast milk provides nourishment that baby couldn't get from any better source. The antibodies in breast milk are similar to the protective properties the milkweeds sap offers caterpillars against being eaten by birds. They help fight against colds, flu, ear infections, etc and many times Mom will not even know baby was about to be attacked by some kind of sickness because her antibodies have passed through the breast milk keeping baby happy healthy and whole. It was designed that way on purpose.
All this talk about caterpillars reminds me of a funny story that happened when my oldest daughter was about two years old. I hope you will get a kick out of it as well.
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| My Caterpillar |
It had been a long cold winter that year as a stay at home mom, I had begun to develop a serious case of cabin fever. I was busy, but hadn't had the opportunity to get out and exercise like normal. I always took a walk everyday and had really started to miss it. I decided that Miss Abigail and I could go for a walk inside the local Wal-Mart store. I bundled up my baby girl, jumped in the car and headed to the store.
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| My Beautiful Butterfly |
I placed Abbi in the shopping cart and began walking a steady path around the perimeter of the store. It wasn't long until she began complaining about sitting in the cart and begging to get down and walk too. I tried distraction, bribery, and reasoning but nothing satisfied her. "Please Mama, let me walk. I will go real fast. I want to get down and walk too!!!" Finally, I stopped the cart, took a deep breath and explained that she was just too little to get down and walk with Mama. I explained that I was much bigger than she, and I would be walking too fast for her to keep up. I ended the conversation by saying, " You are are going to have to grow a couple of feet before you can get down and walk beside Mama." My darling girl looked up at me wide-eyed and a little afraid and said, "Am I going to be a caterpillar?"
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