There are 40 story posted.
Story told by Jennifer Nash
From
Florida She has
3 who walk 1 who soars children children Her children are
10, forever 2, and twins 1 years old
I was young when my first son was born. Fresh out of high school and just beginning college. I had no support system. I gave breastfeeding a try for a week - then I gave up. For the next year - my son suffered through trial and error with formula. He was colicky, and always sick to his stomach. After college, and a few years into my career...Along came baby #2. My second son received breastmilk VIA a feeding tube. He had no large intestine and not enough small intestine to be beneficial to him. But, the breastmilk kept the stomach acids in check - so that when he went to the restroom, it did not hurt too terribly bad. During my second sons life in and out of hospitals - we met so many children who had to be fed VIA feeding tubes. Some because formula had caused their bowels to become necrotic. Some because of birth defects. All of them fed VIA feeding tubes, or Intravenously. A few years later, after my second child passed away, I gave birth to twins. I was determined to breast feed them exclusivly for the recommended two years minimun (recommended by the World Health Organization). I decided this after I first hand witnessed how much more beneficial breastmilk is for a child. Why mess with mother nature. Human Milk for Human babies. It is Free, Always ready, Fresh, The best nutrition, Loving, and the right choice for my boys. Why play Russian Roulette with their health/lives if I dont have to?
Story told by Heather
From
California She has
5 children Her children are
13,9,5,3,1 years old
I wanted to breastfeed, and assumed it would be easy. But after having a breast reduction surgery as a teen, no one really knew how well my breasts would work. I ended up being able to produce lots of breast milk. I had a supportive midwife, and got lots of help from La Leche League, if I hadn't had help from them, I could never have done it, the women there were so great. I have successfully nursed all my kids, sometimes difficulties have happened, but it's been worth it everytime. The relationships I have with my kids are so great. I did have to supplement occasionally, because of the surgery, until my kids started eating, but after about 7 months old I didn't have to. I have always been able to make about 90% of there needs until then. After they start eating, we only nurse, and they get table food. I believe that teens shouldn't have breast reductions, or Doctors should work harder at being very careful how they do the surgery, to make breastfeeding more possible when the girls go on to have kids. Having support, whether it's La Leche League, friends, or family, it's really important. Just know that sometimes breastfeeding doesn't go as you expect, but it is really important for you and your baby. I don't regret pushing through when things were tough, my kids are very healthy, and every year when we go for a check up, the kids' doctor says, "how come I only see you once a year?" I say, "it's because they have all been breastfed for years, not months!" I've had to pump in bathroom stalls while at work, and it only took about 6 to 7 minutes, not the 20 to 30 minutes people told me it would take. I decided my children's needs were more important than how I felt about pumping in the bathroom. I was able to store the breastmilk with cooler packs in the breast pump bag. I worked with many young women, and was able to talk to them about how important breast milk is for babies, when they asked why I went to the bathroom at all my breaks with a black bag. I think breast milk is the best gift you can give your baby, and La Leche League is the best place to get help when the going gets tough. I know I will still contact them if I have problems with any future babies we have.
Story told by Rebecca Surendorff
From
Ohio She has
2 children Her children are
3 and 1 years old
I am so happy to see some many wonderful nursing stories on this blog. I always knew I wanted to breastfeed my children when I had kids. I took a course at the local hospital when I was pregnant and I read up on it. Yet when I had my newborn in my arms I was all thumbs. I asked and asked for help but there was no one able to help me. When my daughter was 24 hours old a nurse came to our room and said we had to give her formula - I cried - and my daughter threw it all up. I was sent home without any real nursing help. I stuggled and struggled re-reading my books and I called the company that did home nursing visits and the nurse had no nursing help either. When my daughter had her check up the had lost weight and the doctor said I had "bad milk" and she should be on formula. I knew he was wrong. Women have made milk for their babies for thousands of years. I found a great lactation consultant that spent hours with me. I only wish I had her from day one. I wish the birth hospital had more lactation consultants and that my baby's doctor would have helped or at least sent me in the right direction. Formula is a for profit product and it has its place in our society, but 99% of women are capable of breastfeeding and the hospital should promote practices that are good for the mother and the baby's health in the long run, not market a consumer product.
Story told by Margaret Z.
From
Texas She has
2 children Her children are
13 and 16 years old
I breastfed both of my children for 10 months. I worked in a busy L&D and newborn nursery with my oldest. I was hard, but I always found some time to pump.
With my second, same scenario, in addition to finishing up my BSN. It was hard but I stuck to it and found the time to pump and maintain my breast milk supply. I am so glad that I persevered. If I had to do it all over again, I would do it the same way.
Just a not of encouragement to hang in there-YOU CAN DO IT!
Story told by Sally Bee
From
Georgia She has
2 children Her children are
1, 2 years old
Firstly as women and as new mothers, we naturally guilt ourselves into feeling like we just don't live up to being as good moms, wives, friends, sisters, employees....life simply changes. And with that guilt and juggle, the last thing new moms needs is the guilt over their baby feeding choices. I was fortunate enough to have a supportive group around me and part of the founding testers of the LaMa Bra....a bra really for moms that don't breastfeed, but how dare they ever market it that way! For anyone that doesn't breastfeedm know you can turn to the LaMa Bra team at http://www.lamabra.com and as an aside the engorgement relieve is from heaven! I commend this site on taking the no guilt support stance and I only wish more would. Give up all the pressuring and just be supportive!
