One of the best things that I did when I was breastfeeding was attend breastfeeding clinics. These weekly clinics are run by lactation consultants and are recommended to all breastfeeding mothers when they leave the hospital. Each week the lactation consultant weighs your baby, to ensure that they are growing appropriately, and addresses any questions the mom may have about breastfeeding.
When I first started breastfeeding I was always wondering; is he eating enough, am I producing enough milk to support his growth? Questions I had come to find out are common among new breastfeeding moms. I initially thought I would attend the clinics until they told me Brody was gaining weight appropriately and there wasn’t a need to worry about his breastfeeding ability or my milk supply. The first time I attended the clinic I made sure Brody was fed before we went so I wouldn’t have to feed him there, I didn’t quite feel comfortable enough to breastfeed in public. When I walked in I saw a full circle of moms sitting down feeding their babies. I sat down while we waited for Brody to be called in to get weighed and I started to notice that the moms weren’t leaving after their babies were weighed. They were sitting back down and continuing their conversations with the other moms. I quickly realized that the breastfeeding clinic wasn’t just about getting your baby weighed; it was sort of like a little community; moms supporting other moms. I started meeting other moms and talking about all things that only a mom would appreciate and I became comfortable enough that I even started feeding Brody while we were at the clinic. I looked forward to our visits so much. The breastfeeding clinic is such a fantastic resource. Aside from the wonderful information and support you receive from the lactation consultants, it’s a great feeling to sit down and talk with other moms and be a part of the breastfeeding community. I encourage all breastfeeding moms to take advantage of a clinic in your area.
My name is Mary Ellen Marsh. I have a 16 month old little boy named Brody and am expecting our second bundle of joy in March, 2011. I am a registered dietitian by trade, but I am currently a stay-at[..]
Hi Mary Ellen,
I think it is great to have access to lactation consultants in your area, but unfortunately for many new moms this is not the reality. I hope that in the future we will see more lactation consultant positions throughout NL. In the meantime, I like what you said about the importance of other moms supporting each other. This is the key to breastfeeding success. Support is what it takes so wherever you live in this province find someone who has had a positive breastfeeding experience and hang out with them!Any suggestions for moms in areas without breastfeeding clinics or support groups?? Take care, Janet
Hi Mary Ellen,
When my oldest was born nearly 12 years ago, we had lactation clinics, but they are for breastfeeding problems. A small group of us decided we wanted to spend time with mothers who understood each other when it came to breastfeeding, and we formed our own mother to mother support group! It was wonderful, just 4 – 5 of us getting together every couple of weeks at a park, a restaurant, one another’s home, etc to support each other and share in all things “new baby”, including breastfeeding!
Thanks, Mary Ellen for sharing such a positive experience and acknowledging two of the main keys to success: the experience of people who have walked the same path and the access to a community.
Too often our moms feel isolated and struggling, especially if they have not yet become breastfeeding in public.I often think that breastfeeding support groups would becalled a term more empowering if moms were given the true credit they deserve. Think of “team building”, “brainstorming”,”grand rounds”- all of those labels denote the value of a community of people strenghtening each other on their journey. “Friendship” is a powerfulway to forge ahead and a wonderful benefit for motherhood!
Thanks for your responses ladies! It is a shame that not all woman have access to such a great resource! My suggestion to these moms would be exactly what Dee Dee did…find some other moms in your local community and form a support group. If you are new to a community and don’t know any other new moms you could always ask your doctor. I do hope that more lactation consultants become available across the entire province, but until that time comes I would strongly encourage breastfeeding moms to initiate these bonding groups themselves. The comfort, support, knowledge and friendship you come away with is something that brings the experience of breastfeeding to a whole new level!