Breastfeeding stirs up many different emotions for nursing moms. The entire nursing relationship is filled with incredible highs and lows. From the amazing first time you place your baby to your breast, to the bittersweet day when nursing is finally over, the feelings that occur are indescribable.
The Power of Support:
My son Justin had some medical problems as an infant that effected he way he gained weight. When Justin was seven months old, I attended my first La Leche League meeting. By this time, Justin had already endured many medical tests to evaluate why he was not gaining weight. I was having a difficult time telling people I was nursing him, for fear that they might blame me for his lack of gain. When I explained the situation to the group, I was asked many questions about our nursing behaviors. After explaining how much Justin nursed, how his doctors felt my breastmilk was not a problem, how much milk I could pump, and how he was receiving no supplementation, I felt a huge relief as each woman gave me supportive encouragement and compliments on how well Justin looked despite his weight.
I was brought to tears as the leader came and sat down next to me as I nursed Justin. She put her arm around me, looked me in the eye, and said: "Jessica, you are an excellent mother. Any mother who is willing to go through what you have gone through to continue nursing should be proud. Your doctors have faith in your abilities, your baby has faith in your abilities, and so do I. Trust your instincts and focus on the wonderful sea of love your breastmilk is providing for both you and Justin." This was the first time in weeks that I had felt I was doing the right thing for my baby. I recently called my LLL leader to tell her Justin had nursed until he was 13 months old, and to thank her for all of the times she encouraged me and supported me. I couldn't have made it without her.
Jessica Williams
A Slow But Steady Start:
My son James was born 5 weeks premature. I had lost two babies before him and had to stay in bed for 10 weeks while pregnant with him. I nursed him, but had to supplement with a bottle because his sucking wasn't strong enough and I didn't deliver enough milk. He was allergic to milk and I used soy milk. I kept nursing and supplementing. Then he caught a respiratory infection when he was 7 weeks old. Mild infection, but scary for me. His appetite decreased just enough for my milk supply to catch up with him. By the time his appetite was back, my milk supply was up enough to stop supplementing.
