Support is Essential
Jennifer J.
FL USA
From NEW BEGINNINGS, Vol. 19 No. 3, May-June 2002, p. 93
I am a first-time mother
and I thought that I had prepared for the beginning necessities thoroughly.
I read various materials, took classes, met with the hospital staff,
talked with other mothers, and went into the birth experience with confidence.
Well, did my world get turned upside down!
After almost 24 hours of
active labor I was drained of all energy and confidence. What I thought
would just come naturally turned out to be a real challenge to overcome.
Feeling fatigued with less than two hours of sleep, I knew my beautiful
and hungry daughter was ready to nurse. She tried her hardest but couldn't
succeed. My breasts were huge and her petite mouth was doing its best
just to get the nipple in, let alone the areola.
When we left the hospital
with Alora Rae, she had jaundice and was still unable to breastfeed.
When I arrived home, my mother was there from out of state. Aside from
my mother I knew no one else who had breastfed and was willing to help,
so if it had not been for her I may have given up the challenge.
Breastfeeding did not come
naturally for us. My baby's mouth muscles would tire out after a short
period of nursing. It took two whole weeks of pumping my breasts before
every feeding, then latching my daughter on when my milk had let down,
and using the supplemental nursing system (SNS) to ensure that she was
getting enough milk until the jaundice had gone away.
My mother encouraged me to
contact my local La Leche League for additional moral support and they
were phenomenal. Like my mother, they were patient and positive. Breastfeeding
began to feel more natural around three months. Now she's almost a year
and we hope to continue for some time. I am lucky to have a husband,
friends, and family who support our decision. Alora and I both will
decide when the time is right for us to move past breastfeeding. We
have made it through rude comments, clogged ducts, mastitis, teething,
and an unsupportive society.
I encourage all mothers to
make sure that they have a postpartum support network to ensure breastfeeding
success. I hope that our society will begin to be more breastfeeding
conscious, educated, and friendly. Whatever comes your way, know that
with determination, you and your baby can experience the priceless and
loving bond of breastfeeding. Don't give up!
Last updated Friday, September 8, 2006 by njb.
Page last edited Sun Oct 14 09:29:52 UTC 2007.
