| Number |
Date |
Name |
Please type or paste in your ... |
| 35 |
Fri Sep 14 13:26:44 EDT 2012 |
Karen Borja |
My WIC Story
WIC has helped my family in more ways than one. While pregnant, I had no idea what the program was or what it had to offer. It seemed so foreign to me to need help in acquiring More....milk, eggs and cereal. Before my baby was born, we dreamed of being the old-fashioned all-American family with a house, a baby and our cat. After my daughter's birth in February of 2009, I was on top of the world ready to face motherhood. Diapers, wipes, onesies, breastfeeding and baths where my only concern...that is until the economy came crashing down. Two weeks after my baby was born, my vision of being the old-fashioned family was interrupted when my fiancée was laid off.
It wasn't until a few weeks later that my fiancée asked "What was the program again? You know the one that helps with milk." After a few clicks of the mouse, I was armed with the number and ready to call. They got me in right away. When we entered, we were pleasantly surprised at how nice people were. The nutritionist that took care of us answered all my questions patiently and explained EVERYTHING. Again, I was surprised. Then I was even more surprised when she said, "Would you like to speak to our breastfeeding peer counselor?"
Breastfeeding peer counselor?! I had no idea there was such a thing! The one thing I felt I needed was to talk to someone who was either going through the same thing I was or went through it not too long ago. It's one thing talking to your male companion who is as clueless as you are than it is to talk to another woman who has dealt with it. Luckily for me, this was no ordinary peer counselor. That day Susan Mayer, the Breastfeeding Manager, happened to be there. All three of us (four if you include my then one month old daughter) got TONS of education. I started talking about how my manual pump was not working well and lo and behold, we were offered a solution in the form of a new pump. WOW! That's all that ran through my head. I felt so fortunate that not only was I able to get the full exclusive breastfeeding package but I was also able to get a shiny-brand new-top-of-the-line manual pump.
While we were getting ready to leave, another new mom comes in and asks, "Español?" Susan then tries to help her out with the little Spanish she knows until I chimed in and informed her that I speak Spanish. A wave of relief washed over Susan's face as I was able to translate the new mom's breastfeeding troubles. After the mom left, Susan turned to me and asked if I had ever thought of becoming a peer counselor. I had had not one clue that position had even existed until that moment! Helping people was something I had always loved to do and this seemed like the perfect opportunity to combine two things I was passionate about, breastfeeding and helping people.
I handed Susan my name and number, thinking that nothing was really going to come of it. The day she contacted me and informed me of the peer counselor trainings was a very happy day. For added bonus, I was able to bring my daughter Sondra! My unemployment was on the verge of expiring and I had been desperately looking for a job and my fiancee also had no luck with his job search, so that call really lifted my spirits.
So to recap, WIC helped my family in our time of need not only in the nutritional sense but also emotionally and financially. If this program didn't exist, I don't know where my family would be right now. They have offered me so much and 2 years later, I am very proud to be able to say that I love my job as a Breastfeeding Peer Counselor for the WIC Program.
Karen Borja
WIC Breastfeeding Peer Counselor |
| 34 |
Fri Jun 29 01:46:07 EDT 2012 |
Vanessa Rautis |
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| 33 |
Tue Dec 13 08:55:52 EST 2011 |
Anonymous |
When I had my first child in 2000 I knew I wanted to breastfeed. I read the Womanly Art of Breastfeeding and then knew there were others like me out there too. I attended my first local La Leche League More....meeting and went on to nurse my son for four years. He never had an ear infection, has only missed one day of school (he is now 11) and is in the gifted and talented class. I became a La Leche League Leader in the community and have helped family and others breastfeed their babies for the last 11 years. I used LLL when my second child was born, even with all my knowledge I still needed help from an breastfeeding expert. My daughter went on to nurse for nearly 5 years, she has never had an ear infection and has only misses one day of school. I know LLL works to help mothers gain the information and support needed to breastfeed in today’s world. Thank you LLL for all you have done for me and so many others. |
| 32 |
Mon Oct 31 15:55:18 EDT 2011 |
Mariella Arredondo |
Our local WIC agency has been an enormous support in making breastfeeding possible for both of my babies. First in 2007 and currently (2011). They have offered me a breast pump for returning to More....work, nutrition information, and access to a lactation consultant. I'm very grateful to WIC and their staff. |
| 31 |
Thu Oct 13 21:47:46 EDT 2011 |
Gloria Moya |
Without the local La Leche League meetings I probably would not have continued breastfeeding for as long as I have (15 months and still breastfeeding). I was ready to give up around 4 months because More....my production was low, baby's need was high, and two coworkers had also given up. But, I thought breastfeeding was important enough to not give up so easily. I went to a few meetings and they got me through. I don't know if I would have made it without them. |
| 30 |
Sat Sep 03 20:42:39 EDT 2011 |
Elizabeth Elge |
I am often hesitant to say that I am still nursing my newly two year old daughter to people in medical profession. Often they are quick to make comments like "since you'll be wanting to wean soon" and More...."she can drink cow's milk, you really don't have to nurse anymore". Their comments make me feel like something is wrong or dysfunctional with nursing my baby past 1 year of age. However, the staff at the Crescent WIC clinic made me feel proud that I am still nursing my toddler. They remind me on a regular basis that even though I am not receiving checks for breastfeeding anymore I should feel comfortable nursing my child as long as I want to as per the statement made by the AAP. I think often the acceptance for women who want to breastfeed dies off too quickly and I appreciate when someone (especially someone in a clinical or medical position) supports me in my decision. |
| 29 |
Sat Sep 03 11:18:39 EDT 2011 |
Alicia Bowen |
In Lakewood, Ohio, I found support through the Human Services Division of Early Childhood. A weekly breastfeeding group was held in the City Family Room. Support came from fellow nursing mothers and a More....lactation consultant. Refreshments, snacks, comfy sofas and rockers, Boppies, pillows for comfort, and a scale was available to check the baby's weight. Without that weekly support, I don't think I would ever have gotten through the difficulties of breastfeeding with my first son. We ended up nursing successfully for a year! My local WIC office also helped a ton. I was able to call a breastfeeding peer helper whenever I needed guidance and encouragement. A local coffee shop also welcomed nursing mothers, and they too, had a weekly breastfeeding group. |
| 28 |
Thu Jul 14 13:50:28 EDT 2011 |
gina johansen |
The Baby Cafe in Melrose Massachusets is a great resource to help mothers with breastfeeding. I truly can't say what a great support system they have and how they help in so many ways - with your physical More....and emotional well being. The lactation consultants as well as the experiences of other Moms. I don't know how anyone could do this without them. They made my breastfeeding experience so joyful and wonderful and made me so proud of myself. The bond you create with your child is like no other. It is the most natural way to feed your baby - our bodies were made this way so I didn't even think twice about my desire to breastfeed my child. The best experience of my life! |
| 27 |
Tue May 31 20:20:18 EDT 2011 |
Christine VandenDries |
As a new mom, and a nurse, I thought I knew it all when it came to feeding and caring for a little one. My skills were challenged when my precious newborn boy was taken to NICU and I was not allowed More....to feed him. No one told me to pump, and I was too distraught to think about it. When I finally started, it made me so sad. I wanted to nurse this little guy more than anything, but he was busy getting antibiotics all day. When he went home, nursing became so painful, that I resorted to pumping around the clock and supplementing with formula. Then my baby started stooling blood. Within days, I found the EL PASO BABY CAFE, and our lives have never been the same since. Libby, the LC there, along with her peer counselors, helped me navigate my pain, and my babys' newly diagnosed food allergies, supported me when all the Dr's told me to put my baby on formula, and were there for me every week, letting me cry, talk and nurse my little man. I'm proud to say that my babys' allergies are under control, and all my pain is gone, AND, he has been exclusively breastfed for the last 5 weeks! I'm so greatful for Baby Cafe and Libby Berkeley, LC! |
| 26 |
Mon May 30 14:03:18 EDT 2011 |
Anonymous |
Husband and I were at a political rally several years ago; baby alternated between being in the carrier on my hubby's back and being in our arms. The speakers were delayed, it started to drizzle, and my More....baby was hungry. We had a small umbrella; I found a not-too-wet spot on the ground and prepared to sit down to nurse.
A tent was set up about 12 feet away, with community folks selling t-shirts to benefit some cause of their small town. They flagged me down, waved me over. Gave me a seat to sit in to nurse my baby, talked with me while he nursed--and even gave him a t-shirt, free. It was enormous on his tiny sleeper-clad body, but what a tremendous sense of community and support! |
| 25 |
Mon May 30 12:49:36 EDT 2011 |
Danielle Housenick |
207 -->206If it were not for a breastfeeding support group (BEST at Shady Grove Adventist Hospital in Rockville, MD) I am not sure I would have been able to stick with and be so successful with breastfeeding. |
| 24 |
Mon May 30 09:01:44 EDT 2011 |
Christy Hagan |
It is not a complaint that you hear every day, but I had "too much milk". The advice from my doctor, my child's doctor, and friends was to stop pumping so much and my milk supply will gradually decrease. More....In all my efforts, my milk supply only seemed to increase. After feeding my son on the breast, I would then need to pump enough for two more babies! Finally, after contacting my local la leche league group, I learned what was happening. I was one of the few mothers with hyperlacation. My milk supply did not have an off button. Through advice and support from the la leche league, I got in contact with the area milk bank to begin donating my extra supply. It became a win-win-win situation! |
| 23 |
Mon May 30 01:38:18 EDT 2011 |
Michele Call |
Most of the mothers at the church I was attending when my first baby was born breastfed their babies, often to a year or longer. During my pregnancy I began developing relationships with the other mothers. More....It seemed just to be expected that I would nurse my baby too. When my daughter was born, I was having a lot of problems and was tired and discouraged. Word about my discouragement got out, and so many women came up to me to tell they were praying for us, and telling me their stories of overcoming problems. There was lots of advice too--not all of it was good; but that was okay, because I was also talking with La Leche League and the hospital IBCLCs. It was the encouragement, and the confidence that we could and would overcome our problems that meant so much. |
| 22 |
Sun May 29 16:50:56 EDT 2011 |
Brandie Brown |
The one place that I always felt comfortable breastfeeding in public was my church. The people there from my age to the elderly were always giving me positive comments and support. Many other mothers More....have followed in my footsteps (I know more breastfeeding people from church than anywhere else). Just another reason why I love my church family! |
| 21 |
Sun May 29 11:11:00 EDT 2011 |
Lisa Dillard |
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| 20 |
Sun May 29 01:19:16 EDT 2011 |
Michelle Muhlbach |
My second son was born in 2007. He immediately had latch problems. I knew that something wasn't right because I had nursed my first baby as well. He just wans't nursing right. I asked the pediatrician More....about it.. his comment was "Well, if you can't get him to nurse, then you'll just have to supplement." When the hospital lactation consultant (and I use the term loosely and with disgust when thinking of this woman) came by, I told her what the doctor said, her very nonchalant response was "if that's what the pediatrician says to do, then that's what you'll have to do." I felt so crushed and devastated in that moment. A while later, a nurse brought my baby to me, and commented that she and another nurse had noticed that my baby had a tongue tie, and that would definitely cause the nursing problem. When I asked the pediatrician about this, he said "Oh, that doesn't have any effect on nursing. You're just going to have to supplement." I called my WIC office and spoke to the LC. This was the Wednesday before thanksgiving, and she told me that if I could make it in by 2pm, that she would wait for me. I walked in, and immediately popped my breast out to feed the baby so she could see what was going on. As soon as my baby opened his mouth she said "I see the problem right there. That's the worst tongue tie I've ever seen." When I told her about the pediatrician's comment about a tongue tie not affecting nursing, she rolled her eyes, shook her head and said "I really wish pediatricians would educate themselves on BFing." She told me that the tongue tie needed to be clipped. She told me that I may have to suppliment a little over the weekend..but to always nurse first, pump when the baby finished nursing, give the baby the colostrum off of my finger. And when I supplemented, to use a tiny syringe, NOT a bottle. She told me that if my doctor refused to clip the tongue tie, to let her know and she would refer me to someone who WOULD do it. Well, we made it through the weekend. I went to the baby's 1 week check up on Monday. I nearly crossed my fingers as I told the doctor what the LC had told me. He simply said "Ok, the LCs usually know what they are talking about, so if she says it needs clipped, I'll clip it." As soon as he was finished with everything and left the room, I sat down to nurse, and that baby had a perfect latch from that day on! I would have given up within that first week, had it not been for this awesome lady! |
| 19 |
Sat May 28 21:44:26 EDT 2011 |
Anonymous |
Our local healthy start group provided 5 months free of charge-use of breast pump to feed non-breastfeeding baby- breast milk. |
| 18 |
Sat May 28 18:41:04 EDT 2011 |
Julie McCarraher |
My first child was born in June of 2000. Being my 1st, I took a childbirth class at the local health department and on the next to last class meeting I was fortunate enough to meet the local La Leche More....Leaque leader (LLL) who tried valiantly and efficiently to give the class as much info about breastfeeding as possible in the short hour she was given. My curiousity was piqued and I decided to attend the next LLL meeting. I remember quite vividly saying, "I don't know if I can breastfeed or not, all the women in my family tried and they didn't make any milk, so I don't know if I can." The LLL leader smiled and assured me that I COULD breastfeed my baby. My life as a mother was changed in that moment and with the support I received from that leader and the moms in the group I not only breastfed my baby, she nursed until she was 3. Because of the info I received from that leader, I knew I could breastfeed successfully. She helped me numerous times after that first time as well as with my 2nd child, and I am sure that she would help me now if I needed it as I nurse my newest addition who is currently one week old. That leader has helped hundreds of women I am sure. If there were more women and/or other professionals out there, there is no doubt most women could be as successful as me! The benefits of breastfeeding are SO numerous that not finding ways to promote breastfeeding would be tragic to our future children, the people we hope we always are able to give our best to. And that starts with breastfeeding--the very best for baby! |
| 17 |
Sat May 28 18:11:49 EDT 2011 |
Anonymous |
When my first baby was born in 2005, I was supported by my husband to breast feed. He brought me water and anything else I needed when the baby was drinking. When I left my home I would remember the More....horror stories about mothers being harassed or asked to leave establishments because their babies were eating. If I let myself think about it, I would have trouble sleeping because I was imagining what I would say if someone confronted me for feeding my baby. When I got a subscription to Mothering Magazine I felt that I really had community support. Many mothers shared photos of themselves feeding their babies. Before I had my baby, I had never seen a baby drink milk. I was much more comfortable when my second baby was born. I was over the culture shock and confident in my right to feed my baby. I was very lucky to be living in Bloomington Indiana, a town that openly supports breastfeeding. Many establishments there have the breastfeeding logo posted on their doors. To me this logo says, "Babies are welcome to nurse here". When my husband would ask me where I wanted to go to eat I would often reply, ":Lets go to (insert restaurant here). They have a breastfeeding friendly sticker". |
| 16 |
Sat May 28 16:43:12 EDT 2011 |
Shannon Vyff |
I had my first baby at age 21 in 1996, then had two more; one in 1999 and one in 2001. This story though was brought about by my first baby, a story of a ripple effect of love and support through society: More....
A long time back, 192 or so-I'd seen a Le Leche League info table at a High School health convention in Wichita KS, I took some pamphlets and the idea intrigued me that we were meant to breastfeed. I'd not been breastfed, it was not a part of my family or extended family. The whole idea seemed foreign but also fascinating. This was my Junior year in High School and I need a topic for my Health class, so I choose breastfeeding, which soon led me to add in family bed. The ideas I presented were quite foreign to my class, but I got an A on my paper--and most importantly those ideas stuck in the back of my mind and I knew I'd breastfeed if I had children some day.
So, moving on to age 21 and having moved to Eugene OR from Wichita KS, being newly married and newly pregnant--I ordered The Womanly Art of breastfeeding, plus a bazillion other natural parenting type books off the newfangled Amazon.com web site--certainly a harder place to navigate and find things then than now ;). I fondly remember my days of pregnancy as my last days ever of having time to lay around and read to my hearts content. I read a book every day or so--and felt that I was fully prepared to breastfeed, I'd read it all!
Yes, for a keen reader, something is missing in the above paragraph --yeah, I never attended any live breastfeeding groups, or even met a breastfeeding mother, had not in fact ever seen anyone breastfeed (this was before video was on the net ). Lo' the day came when I was in the hospital having a caesarean and my beautiful newborn healthy girl was placed into my arms, well helped along a bit by a nurse as my arms were still restrained for safety. I had made it very clear that I wanted to immediately breastfeed, no matter what--no waiting till I was post-op. Well, the nurse did a football hold with pillows, my mom was there, an RN from another State and was able to talk them into letting me have my arms (she is an RN to this day, but had traveled from a different State for the birth) and I gloriously watched the little spirit, contentedly suckle with cute little swallowing noises, before I blacked out.
My husband was there, my mother was there-there were people galore to watch the baby, I came to shortly. It is a bit of a haze in reflection, I remember being back in my hospital room and nursing--but then noticing a large red blood blister in the side of my nipple. I soon noticed something else--intense pain. With tears in my eyes, I gritted and beared it--pretty much thinking, it would go away and being amazed at how delicate and fragile my newborn was and how I was giving her strength and the best brain nutrition possible. The science in my brain and the pride in my heart bolstered my reserve, to breastfeed through the pain.
Now, jump ahead to a week after the birth--still in pain, but out of the hospital with bloody nipples. At this time, yes amazingly not till this time- I looked up where my local La Leche League meetings where. I didn't even know if they had them in Eugene, I just remembered that I'd liked talking to the women I'd met in KS and the books said they had groups all over the US. I was in luck as the next meeting was in just a few days, so I showed up with my newborn beaming. Two things immediately became apparent to me: 1. I was not holding my newborn right or getting my nipple in far enough--how I nursed just "looked" different from the moms there. 2. I also immediately thought the people there were crazy, fanatical and a bit strange--the leader had a toddler playing in front of her, she was holding the girls hands and letting her do flips between Mom's knees--then the girl, got up on her Mom's lap, lifted her shirt and nursed! Yes, nursed!
I'd never seen anything like that. It shocked me a bit, even though I'd read that some people do that... and it was supposedly our evolutionary heritage and "natural." There were things I liked at the meeting that made me feel "at home." I enjoyed hearing from the other moms about their struggles with breastfeeding, and sharing my own story including that I currently felt like crying each time I breastfed... The leaders were wonderful and "latched" on to my problems with latch right off the bat. At one point I recall the leaders mentioning that it is good to attend a meeting before having your baby, if you've never seen anyone nurse. At the end of the meeting they came and showed me how to do a proper latch as they watched what I was doing and keyed in on how I needed to aim my nipple for the back of her throat, pull her on deeply so my areola was in her mouth--it instantly did feel better, plus they let me know about how to heal the bloody nipples. I left the meeting with new resolve and hope.
I also, religiously attended all the meetings I could. No one in my family breastfed, and when I had complained of pain the offers were to go get me some formula. That did not seem very supportive to me, I bristled at the thought as tantalizing as it was, to just get a break for a few hours. The women at the LLL groups seemed to understand what I was going through and how strongly I did not want to supplement, ever. Over time these new friends felt like the supportive family I'd wished I'd had. I loved these women, I loved the information --and the new books that I checked out like Milk Money and Madness, and Katherine Dettwyler's "A Natural Age of Weaning" (it is now available on-line!) and many many books which I'm to this day grateful to have had access to. I became a bit fanatical myself in trying to educate those around me about the science of breastmilk and what I had newly learned about the history of breastfeeding and the politics of breastfeeding.
I don't think I stopped thinking those older leaders were weird for nursing their toddlers, till I suddenly had a nursing toddler ;) I certainly never would have had the strength or clever ideas of how to do so in our society without the on-going support of La Leche League and then the specialized Toddlers Groups!
I loved sharing information so much I started a breastfeeding support group on my own, then became a La Leche League Leader myself. I still help moms monthly, now 14 years later (yes my baby is in High School, can't believe how quickly these precious children grow!)--I still share info about how breastmilk is a more complex living tissue than blood, and we don't even have a great blood substitute yet. Or, I give support to moms worried about supply and share tips on supply and demand, or how moms in South America tend to worry about over-supply instead of the North American common assumption of insufficient supply. I appreciate all the help LLL has given me over the years, I even attended a leader training day last month where we touched up on listening skills and current research about breastmilk.
LLL put me on a path to being a better mother, and I've been thankful to have been able to help other mothers, even lactation councilors and consultants that have come to LLL events. The art of breastfeeding truly helps one grow into being a woman--we do it for the thicker neuron growth, the higher IQ, the anti-inflammatories, the tailored antibiotics and optimal health it gives--but yes, we also do it for the kinship between other women and our own children. I'm proud to have breastfed for 8 1/2 years, tandem nursed twice and to have been able to help friends and family also give their children the best, I've helped adoptive mothers and biological mothers, mothers over the phone, in person and over the net--and it has been one of the most rewarding things in my life to be able to have helped thousands of women over the years. I could not have done that without LLL. Thank you also to the outstanding outreach and support of the United States Breastfeeding Committee for all their hard work in promoting knowledge about breastfeeding and supporting groups that help moms. --Shannon Vyff |
| 15 |
Sat May 28 14:10:45 EDT 2011 |
Melissa Floyd |
I am currently breastfeeding my second child after nursing my first for 15 months. The sad fact is that I received NO support or encouragement throughout either of my breastfeeding journeys. The nurses More....in the hospital acted like it was not their job to help and I was not even informed that there was a lactation counselor on staff until the day I was released from the hospital and it was her day off - despite the fact that I was the ONLY breastfeeding mother there. I was encouraged by my sons pediatrician to give formula with rice cereal for my sons reflux (we changed pediatricians) and constantly told by family and friends that I was either starving my child or that he was "too old to be doing THAT." I was told at a WalMart that I couldn't "do THAT in HERE" despite the fact that South Carolina Law says I can. My WIC office was only mildly supportive of my efforts. Truth be told - I WAS SICK OF THE LACK OF SUPPORT, INFORMATION, AND RESOURCES in my area! So, my friend and I have started a local Breastfeeding Bag Project to help new moms make the decision to breastfeed and get accurate information regarding breastfeeding. We are assembling bags (similar to the ones formula companies bombard new mothers with) filled with samples, coupons and pages of information! We are also instituting a "Booby Buddy" program. We are matching new moms with experienced breastfeeders to help and encourage them in their efforts to provide the best nutrition for their children. I am so proud of our efforts and I hope that many, many women are encouraged to breastfeed and that our legacy will extend for generations! |
| 14 |
Sat May 28 13:44:02 EDT 2011 |
Anonymous |
I am a mother of three and have breastfed all of my babies. During my last pregnancy my husband became disabled and I had no choice but to continue working full time. It was very important to me to be More....able to breastfeed my baby and pump while at work. Being unable to afford it myself, the local WIC office let me borrow a breast pump for a few months and then gave me one. This was a tremendous support to me. Being able to pump at work ensured that he was getting good nutrition while I was gone and allowed me to breastfeed while I was at home. I never realized with my first 2 children (when I was a stay at home mom) how important that bonding process it with a nursing baby. Trying to support my family of 5 alone, I don't know how I would've been able to get one otherwise. I finally weaned him of night time feedings just before his 2nd birthday. I now have a very healthy and happy 2 year old. |
| 13 |
Fri May 20 10:04:08 EDT 2011 |
Amy Cooper-Ayles |
I am so lucky to have a nursing mom's group, The Baby Cafe, right down the street from where I live. Without the support of this group, I would never have made it to today with my 11 month old still nursing More....even while I'm back to work full time. It makes all the difference in the world to have good WEEKLY support as my baby's needs change all the time. |
| 12 |
Thu May 19 05:52:51 EDT 2011 |
Summer Lamb |
I attended local Le Leche League meetings starting when my son was 4 months old. I only stopped attending because I began working. Being surrounded by other breastfeeding mothers was SUCH a confidence More....boost! Our local leader is knowledgeable, supportive and amazingly compassionate. I feel blessed to have such a great group of women to lean on in times of need. |
| 11 |
Wed May 18 12:49:02 EDT 2011 |
Rebecca Longo |
I had a difficult time breastfeeding my daughter after she was born. I was so fortunate to have the Baby Cafe in my town. The support from the lacation consultants (especially Lucia Jenkins) More....and other mothers kept me going. I am now happy to say I am still nuring my happy, healthy 9 month old daughter. Both mother and baby are extremely greatful to all the support we received. I am certain I would not have been able to keep breastfeeding without the help I received from the Baby Cafe in Melrose, MA! |
