I have been breastfeeding for 1320 days straight. I’ll be honest with you, I love it. Maybe it’s the oxytocin rush that I am hooked on. Maybe it’s the feeling of that little body snuggled so close to mine. It could be the fact that I can burn 500+ calories while sitting on the couch, doing nothing other than holding my baby. Then again it might be the satisfaction I get from knowing that I am doing the very best thing, without question, for my child at that moment (how often do you find that kind of assurance in parenting?). Or is the reason I love it so much might be that I can do it anywhere, anytime without having to be prepared. Maybe it’s the environmentalist in me, I can feed my baby without putting anything in the garbage or using energy to heat things up; totally impact free. Sometimes I think it might be the feminist in me, knowing that I am doing what millions of other women all over the world are doing now or have done for their children at one point in history.
Whatever the reason I love breastfeeding so much… I wish that more women in Newfoundland and Labrador loved it even half as much as I do. The sad truth is, it is hard to love it when you don’t have anyone to support you. We are on our second or third generation of mostly bottle fed babies and I think new mothers in NL just don’t have the guidance they need to be successful at breastfeeding. All it takes is one mother or mother-in-law to cluck disapprovingly, “You’re starving that baby!”, or one maternity ward nurse to say (as they did to me), “Everyone gives up the second night”, or a husband who sulks because he wants to “be involved” to turn a wary new mother away from her goal of breastfeeding. Every woman needs someone to talk to about breastfeeding, someone who will tell them that they are doing a good job and who will help them when they struggle. That’s what my hope is for this blog. Let this be the place that you can turn to get info, ask questions, and (most importantly) find approval. Maybe you might even start to love breastfeeding as much as I do!
Felicie is a teacher turned work at home mama to two busy little angels, aged 22 months and 4 and a half years. She is a proud member of La Leche League Canada and has helped to organize three World B[..]
Thanks for sharing your commitment to children, Felicie!
You spoke from the heart in a way that helps to identify some of mothers’ unique joys and also some of their vulnerabilities.
It is definitely by staying connected that we can help pave the way for some shifts in lifestyle that will benefit everyone.
Warmest Appreciation,
Janet Fox- Beer, B.N.,R.N.,IBCLC
Hi Felicie, Great blog. Support is everything. La Leche League have been true leaders in mother to mother support. Wish we had LLL all over the province. Keep writing
I’ve been breastfeeding for 6 months, and you’re right, it is the greatest feeling in the world.
Luckily in this area, the public health nurse and the midwives where I gave birth, are all pro-breastfeeding. My little girl is healthy and happy. When it comes to your body and your baby, you generally know best.
nice post, Felicie. I share your feelings and love for breastfeeding. My hope is that women know that there is support for them in St. John’s – pre-natally, and post-natally, with the birth and breastfeeding.
Inbal
Thank you for your beautiful story! I too breastfed my children (now 8 & 11!) for more than a year, and I enjoyed the experience to the fullest. Luckily, I had breast-happy babies and a very supportive husband and extended family.
You are right, however, in that many women are not supported in their most vulnerable hours in the initial days of breastfeeding. We need strong mothers like you to lend a guiding voice to our new breast feeding mothers. Thank you!
As your baby grows and develops to her fullest potential, she will thank you too!
Hi Felicie!
I’m glad you are enjoying breast feeding your little ones. I loved it too AFTER I was confident enough to ask for help.
I really like it that you featured breast feeding Moms need support. Let’s hope Moms every where will support each other – no matter what choices they make.
Take care
Wonderful blog Felicie! I want to let mothers in Labrador know there is online support available at Bosom Buddies Goose Bay(breastfeeding support)on Facebook as well as in person in Happy Valley-Goose Bay. Grandparents, Moms (and dads!) or moms (and dads)-to-be can call me Monday to Friday 8-4pm at 897-2330 for more information about when and where, or check the page on Facebook!