(lactation activist)
A Motherlode of Breastfeeding Information
Support
Getting support is more valuable than you could imagine. Just as you chose a health practitioner for the birth, now you need to create a support network for yourself while breastfeeding. In primitive societies, this happens naturally as a result of their extended family living situations. Aunts, sisters, grandmothers and close friends all band together to help the new mom through her transition into motherhood. This includes postpartum support as well as breastfeeding information and support. This group of close family is present at the birth and there in the crucial first hours after the birth to ensure that breastfeeding gets off to a good start.
As American women, we are challenged to gather our own support network. Many times, family is far away and probably unknowledgeable about breastfeeding. The best thing that you can do for yourself is to get your breastfeeding support network established during pregnancy. That way, if you should encounter trouble in the first days and weeks, you have someone to call on who you know and trust. Meeting other breastfeeding mothers, going to breastfeeding classes, calling all your relatives who have breastfed and asking for support, going to La Leche League meetings, and just being places where breastfeeding mom's hang out are all good ways of meeting people to include in your support system. Going to regular La Leche League meetings while pregnant will give you the knowledge, confidence and exposure to get breastfeeding off to a great start.
By getting to know people early on in pregnancy you will be more likely to know and trust them and thus to call them when you really need support -- when you are experiencing difficulties. One of the most difficult things can be to ask for help, and to ask virtual strangers is near impossible. That is why it is so important to establish bonds early on and have people checking in on you in the early days so that you can get the help you need.
Breastfeeding is a learned art, and the best way to learn is to watch many other women breastfeed their babies. Get to know breastfeeding moms. Ask them questions. I know that I would love to answer anyone's positive questions about nursing my baby. There aren't many system's set up in our society to help new mother's learn how to breastfeed. Each mother wants to do the best she can for her child and breastfeeding is the best nutrition there is for babies. Make sure that you don't allow lack of support and education to stand in the way of the best health for your baby. Establish your own support system, and ask for help if you feel frustrated. Sometimes just talking about it can help so much. Get together with other breastfeeding moms who know what you are going through. Be the best mom that you can be. We can't do it alone, and we aren't meant to. Gather support and guarantee yourself a successful breastfeeding relationship!
For Questions or Comments
DISCLAIMER: This web site is designed for educational purposes only. You should not rely on this information as a substitute for medical attention, or diagnosis. If you are having breastfeeding difficulties, please contact an IBCLC near you for assistance. If you have any questions consult your family's health care provider. In some instances, the information represents opinion or judgment. Neither the information providers nor the Site owner guarantee the accuracy or completeness of any information in this website nor will they be responsible for any errors or omissions or for the results obtained from the use of such information. The Site owner and the information providers will not be liable or responsible to any person(s) for any loss or damage caused whatsoever by the use of information or ideas referenced in this web site. Your participation in this service therefore is solely at your own risk.