Le Leche League and support request

On Tuesday, Mini Dh and I headed to our very first Le Leche League. It's a support group for breastfeeding women. So I'm wayyyy late to join in, I mean Mini Dh is already ten months. But I gotta tell you, it was so refreshing to meet other moms who have the same outlook on breastfeeding. And it was really nice to be able to share experiences, difficulties, and just laugh about funny moments with our young ones. There were pregnant moms, and mothers with babies ranging from 2 weeks all the way to 2 years. For anyone who wants to breastfeed soon, is breastfeeding, or will eventually breastfeed their children, I highly recommend joining your local group. You can find them in almost any city, it's completely free to join, and all you do is go! It was such a relaxing and judge free environment. I was amazed how open all the other mothers were to each different "technique" of the other babies.

I also just wanted to share a really neat story I heard this week. My dear real life friend Beka just became an aunt from her brother and sister in law. Beka messaged me yesterday to tell me about her sister in law trying to breastfeed their daughter. She said they were having a hard ime so one lady came in to help the baby attach properly but couldn't do anything to make it easier. Her sister in law felt like a horrible mother, guilty and like she failed her daughter. The hospital then had a lactation consultant come in, and she successfully helped the baby attach and they were good to go! Beka told me all this because she knows how passionate I am about helping others successfully enjoy breastfeeding. She said she didn't realize how important lactation consultants (and just support in general) were to breastfeeding.

It made me think though, what if the hospital hadn't sent in a second lady to help? I know a few hospitals, including my own where I gave birth, who wouldn't have. I actually had nurses tell me I should just try supplementing with formula. If I would have listened to them and gave even one formula bottle, breastfeeding would have been over for me. Nursing is a challenge at first and it takes a lot of perseverance to push through. It was really awesome to hear about a success story where helpful resources to overcome a breastfeeding obstacle were available. So many times, these resources aren't available and new moms are left to fend for themselves. Let's face it, after giving birth and having a newborn, no on has the energy to search for help on their own. Especially when medical professionals are saying to give up.

On another note, Beka's husband just left yesterday for their first deployment. He has been deployed once before, but this time will be much different as he has a wife waiting at home. Any military wives, husbands, troop supporters, servicemembers etc. out there? Some of us know how heartbreaking and gut wrenching the first few days are. Please head over to her blog if you haven't already and give her some encouragement. Support is everything during this time. Thank you sincerely.