I've been very curious recently as I keep hearing things like 'support the troops' and wonder how many people actually DO things to support other people. Applying this to being a lactivist, what have you actually done to support other moms who are struggling? I'll reply later with my story but am interested to hear what others are doing.
I think this counts, I have two breast pumps that are on constant loan to friends that want to breast feed but work full time. I encourage them to overcome that obstacle.
Where I live I don't have to do much--breastfeeding has always been the norm here. However there is a push to ONLY breastfeed for the first 6 months--which kind of baffles me. I breast feed my 15 month old in public and always tell people about the WHO recommending two years of breastfeeding, and the AAP saying at least a year. We are also in chicken pox season here so I also say, I'll keep breastfeeding him at least through chicken pox season, when people ask when I'm going to "make him grow up". I know at least one of DH's cousins has continued to nurse her baby past the year mark has started saying that too. I've also had locals tell me they are suprised to see an American women breastfeeding as they thought we all bottle feed--I take the oportunity to tell them that breastfeeding is so much better than bottle feeding. And that's why I'm doing it--not that I've "gone native" or something like that--but that it's truely an educated decision on my part. Because you have to pay for bottles and formula, some people here see it as more prestigious and therefor desireable to those who can afford it. I try to fight that impression.
I breastfeed in public and have taught and will continue to teach tricks on how to do it w/o have to excuse yourself. For my close friends, or anyone who is comfortable, I will help them with latch issues, whatever it takes. I am willing to help and I always encourage my pregnant friends to try and not give up unless it becomes overwhelming...
I have become the "go to" person within my groups of friends and family for BFing questions and info. I've helped many friends when they have struggled, and I'm told that it's inspiring to know someone that have nursed (and continues to nurse) twins. Whenever I know someone who has a new baby, even if it's someone in my husband's office whose wife gave birth, I make sure to check in and offer any advice or help that I can. I loan out books, pass on website links and articles, and I make sure to let everyone that will listen know that I am still breast feeding TWINS! It can be done. I am also seriously considering going into some sort of lactation education. Especially where we are living overseas, the availability of info is abismal.
i enjoy sharing my experience breastfeeding twins with expecting/new moms - the good AND the bad about breastfeeding. i keep a list of local breastfeeding resources handy to share with anyone looking for support. i've also recently taken my postpartum doula training. postpartum care often involves a lot of breastfeeding support. eventually i'd like to get my breastfeeding education certification. also, i rarely shut up about breastfeeding in general - i have several male friends who will not hang out with me by themselves anymore. :laughing:
In addition to what most everyone else has already mentioned. I made a career change I quit a great job making lots of money and took a much lower paying job to work at WIC as a Breastfeeding Peer counselor. Im a lactation educator, a LLL Leader (although much of what I comment on here are my OWN thoughts/knowledge and not necessarily representative of LLL) and Im sitting the IBCLC in July of this year. I sure hope I pass. Im sooo nervous. I teach breastfeeding classes, I see clients in office for nothing other then breastfeeding. I proudly wear an array of shirts that promote breastfeeding and Im not hesitant to thank a mom for nursing in public. Breastfeeding was a life change for me. I've nursed twins, I've pumped a year for a cleft palate baby. I've learned so much along the way and I want to help mothers in EVERY way I can. Just recently, I organized milk sharing/donation for a friend whose 7 month old is in the hospital with RSV, pneumonia and the flu. To ill to nurse and mom wasn't pumping enough. As soon as she said Im running out of milk we are going to have to do formula I gathered up and sent her 75+oz from various nursing friends. It was a real tear jerker to see so many moms contribute and for me to be the organizer. I LOVE helping moms & babes out.
I'm not able to help others right now other than to be encouraging, but I wanted to thank you all for what you do. My aunt lives in NY and was a part of LLL while nursing her 5 children many years ago. She lives in an Orthodox community and a lot of the new mothers come to her for help. She has been trying to help me over the phone. I don't suppose any of you live near Atlanta, GA and want to come visit two cute babies and their mommy? LOL
This morning I thought of something else that is just a little thing--but I think important in making breastfeeding seem like the norm. Assume that people will or do breastfeed. Like if you are talking to a pregnant women, don't ask if she will be breastfeeding make it obvious that you just assume she would. Like suggest a good sling, by saying, "it makes life so much easier because you can walk around and do things while the baby is breastfeeding." Rather than saying something like, "If you are going to breastfeed, you should get a sling."
So, I was looking up articles this afternoon and I found one to support exactly what I was saying in the last post--except it is aimed at medical professionals Using Language to Facilitate Breastfeeding
I love that article. I am going to print it out and hang it up at work! I am a pediatrician and have always been pro-breastfeeding, but it wasn't until I started nursing my twins that I realized how little I knew about it. There is no formal breastfeeding education in medical school or pediatric residency, so there are tons of docs out there who give bad advice without even realizing it. I am lucky that in my job now I get to talk to moms within the first 24 hours after delivery, so I can be a source of encouragement and knowledge for them. My long term goal once I find a little more time between working full time and raising two (soon to be three) kids is to develop a breastfeeding curriculum to be used in pediatric and family practice residency programs. I believe that if providers are more educated there will be less "booby traps" and more women can be successful.
Sara I'm in Alpharetta; I'm moving very soon and I have three kiddies with me, but I'd be glad to offer you a few hours of my time.
Slugrad (Sorry I don't know your name). Write that curriculum! That's so what is needed and you have the unique knowledge to do it an make an important impact.
