| Number |
Date |
Name |
Please type or paste in your ... |
| 148 |
Wed Aug 08 14:46:43 EDT 2012 |
Nancy Cavillones |
When I was pregnant with my second daughter, I was fortunate enough to deliver at Baystate Franklin in Greenfield, MA. The hospital is very pro-breastfeeding. When the pediatrician was unhappy with my More....daughter's weight gain in her first week, instead of suggesting that I supplement with formula, he immediately sent me to a breastfeeding support group, which was held at Baystate Franklin. I am grateful to him for his support. |
| 147 |
Wed Aug 08 14:45:34 EDT 2012 |
Lauren Acquarole |
My daughter was born early at 37 weeks 2 days, and I had finally made the decision to breastfeed after some uncertainty. I wasn't uncertain because I wanted to formula feed, but I needed the approval of More....my doctors because I take prescription medications for two chronic conditions. Once the doctors told me it was absolutely fine to breastfeed, I knew I was going to do it. However, it was not an easy start to our now wonderful breastfeeding relationship. Since my daughter was quite petite, she had trouble latching so the hospital got me on a pumping schedule of every 2 hours to get my milk to come in and so we could cup feed her. I was grateful that they did not push formula feeding and let me pump my milk. I pumped exclusively for 6 months, but each day I tried to get my daughter to latch. At 6 months, my daughter decided it was ok to drink from the “source!” I am so grateful that I never decided to quit trying with her, and that my husband, in addition to the hospital, was extremely supportive of pumping and breastfeeding. He could hear the grumbles I made under my breath when I was pumping every 2 hours, but he was always there to tell me “its ok, you do what you need to do for Wren. I am ok with anything!” Without his support I do not know where I would be, and of course my family supported breastfeeding. My mother was quite amazed by it all since she said she breastfeed me, but when she went back to work I was put on formula because pumps were not a well-known or cheap option in 1980. Also, my employer has a “lactation lounge” for nursing mothers due to the Affordable Care Act. I work at the hospital where I delivered my daughter, so they see breastfeeding as a health initiative and have no problems with helping nursing mothers achieve their goals. I went back to work 40 hours a week at 12 weeks post-partum and am allowed my pumping breaks, which has helped me tremendously. Before I went back to work, I had a goal of 3 months of exclusive breastfeeding, which then became 6 months, and now my daughter and I are going strong at nearly 9 months. My plans are to continue until she is no longer interested in the “source milk!” Without the support of my husband, family, delivering hospital, and employer I am not sure how I would have met all my breastfeeding goals! Support and determination are the keys to meeting and exceeding breastfeeding goals. |
| 146 |
Wed Aug 08 14:44:39 EDT 2012 |
Laura Boehm |
My daughter is 10 months old and I am still breastfeeding. I have had so much support during these last 10 months. While in the hospital, the nurses initiated the support. They helped me so much with latching More....on and being patient. The lactation consultants in the hospital seemed too busy to spend quality time with myself and my daughter, but the nurses were there every step of the way. They also educated my husband and I and my biggest supporter during the last 10 months has been my husband. I could not have done it without his continuous support. He has been so encouraging and patient and listened when I was so tired and didn't think I could do it anymore. Another huge supporter were my 5 friends that were also breastfeeding their infants. Only one of them lived in town, but the other 3 were my support group over the phone. When we were unable to talk, we would text eachother and I can't tell you how many questions I had for them about breastfeeding and pumping. They were all so wonderful. It has been a challenging 10 months with many clogged ducts and mastitis twice, but I am proud to say that I have accomplished it. However, I am very confident in saying I could not have done it without all these professionals, family and friends. |
| 145 |
Wed Aug 08 14:44:09 EDT 2012 |
Crystal Bissonnette |
I was supported by being around wonderful mothers along with my partner who knew this was important to me. I had an emergency c-section, my milk didn't come in for 8 days. I catheter formula fed with a More....tube attached to my breast until my milk came in, as to not confuse my son. I was determined that I would be successful at breastfeeding my son. It was my goal to breast feed up to 6 months. Then I hit a year. And finally, at 19 months we weened. I feel so proud that I was able to do this for my child. He was my inspiration, he was the reason I was doing this to begin with. It's not always an easy ride, but it is worth it. I have a happy, healthy 19 month old. Now, I miss nursing him. |
| 144 |
Wed Aug 08 14:34:01 EDT 2012 |
Anonymous |
I delivered my daughter at the Melrose Wakefield Hospital, which was a baby-friendly hospital. I had every intention of breastfeeding but with inverted nipples and an undiagnosed tongue tied baby, it More....was difficult to say the least. The lactation department there set me up with a pump until I could get my daughters tongue tie clipped. I had to pump and bottle feed my daughter for 3 months until the wonderful staff at Mass Eye and Ear agreed to see us and clipped her tongue right away. Once her tongue was clipped, she latched on right away and never looked back. I breastfed her for a year and never used formula, with my second baby, I knew what to look for and was able to push to have my sons tongue clipped immediately and never had any nursing problems. I contribute my success at breastfeeding my little girl to the lactation consultants who made it easy to get a pump and the ENT at Mass Eye and Ear who recognized the importance of breastfeeding and agreed to clip her tongue when her pediatrician did not think it was an actual issue. |
| 143 |
Wed Aug 08 14:27:43 EDT 2012 |
Emily Nimsakont |
I’ve been nursing my son for three months now, and we’re going strong. I credit my success to my supportive husband and my mom; they both gave me lots of encouragement in the early days. I also made many More....visits to my pediatrician’s lactation consultant during the first week of my son’s life. I’m especially grateful for my town’s community breastfeeding center. Going to classes and moms’ group meetings at the center turned me into a confident nursing mother. |
| 142 |
Wed Aug 08 14:23:31 EDT 2012 |
Veronica Darling |
I have been able to successfully breastfeed my infants because of supportive family, friends, medical care givers, online support communities and a working knowledge of my rights to legally nurse anywhere More....in my state. As laws change to make it easier for mothers to nurse in public and pump at work, society needs to retrain itsel to the truth that breastfeeding is normal and needs support, not opposition. I'm so thankful for friends who chose to breastfeed their infants and made me feel encouraged and safe to do so as well. |
| 141 |
Wed Aug 08 14:20:57 EDT 2012 |
Michelle Lunsford |
I am fortunate enough to have delivered my daughter in the new Capital Health Hopewell hospital which was at the time striving to gain Baby Friendly status. I was on bed rest the last 5 weeks of my pregnancy More....so I was unable to take any classes. So I relied heavily on the nurses and Lactation Consultants at the hospital. If it weren't for them, I would still be on the wonderful breastfeeding journey I am on with my daughter at 8 months! They were so friendly (even in the middle of the night!) and patient and even calmed my husband with an hour long session about helping and support. It was a struggle and we thought about giving up, but the hospital runs a weekly support group that my daughter and I attended all the way up to last month. It was so good to hear women who were going through or had gone through the same thing and also being able to help others if they needed it. That support was invaluable! Even though our babies are "graduates" of the support group, we still get together almost weekly for playdates and info sessions and questions. I went back to the group this week as an alumni to support my cousin as she has just begin her breastfeeding journey and it was very special to see the new moms just getting started and being able to show them how far we have come and encourage them too.
Recently, the head Lactation Consultant asked me to be a part of the reception when the hospital received its official Baby Friendly status and I was happy to go on thier behalf. I owe so much to them and hope to continue this journey as long as it takes. |
| 140 |
Wed Aug 08 14:19:52 EDT 2012 |
Natalie Pabon |
I was helped by many people, the lovely ladies at my local WIC office(Alamance County, NC), the local breastfeeding support group, my doula, my husband, several online groups, a few blogs, etc. More....But it isn't all roses. It is hard to talk to my friends and family who knew nearly nothing about breastfeeding. They were/are constantly questioning both my ability to supply enough, my ability to 'handle biting/grabby hands/distracted nursing/etc', and the 'morality' or 'necessity' of breastfeeding past X time(well before even the year mark). My support groups have armed me with information and the strength to continue. They have given me support through rough times, and have helped me make nursing better for me and my son. |
| 139 |
Wed Aug 08 14:17:49 EDT 2012 |
Lauren Cohen |
My son had difficulty latching and nipple confusion and I struggled for 2 weeks until my Mother hired a lactation consultant to come to my house. She recommended nipple shields and problem solved. After More....2 months we didn't need them anymore, and he nursed happily for the next 2 years. |
| 138 |
Wed Aug 08 14:17:00 EDT 2012 |
Megan Stone |
After a not so monumental first try at nursing a baby (with my son born in March 2007) I decided to give it another shot with my daughter who was born in August 2010. Surprisingly, my biggest supporters More....(other than my husband) were people I met ONLINE on www.babycenter.com. I joined my "birth club" (for August 2010) when I first found out I was pregnant and after reading story after story and thread after thread of advice I decided to give breastfeeding another shot. With the support from the other nursing moms and the priceless information I was given by women I had never met, I met my breastfeeding goal of 1 year (no formula PLUS working a 40 hour/week job, including some travel!) and nursed my beautiful daughter until she was 15 months old. |
| 137 |
Wed Aug 08 14:15:47 EDT 2012 |
Josanna Tiettmeyer |
Mine is short and sweet. The most influential thing I experience was when I had my first baby, who wasn't an expert breastfeeder, the lactation consultant in the hospital told me..."Remember, once is More....better than never, and the right thing for your baby is the thing that works for you". I felt like I could do it after hearing that!!! |
| 136 |
Mon Aug 06 15:32:26 EDT 2012 |
Heather Buquoi |
I was helped by peer counselors as a WIC mom. Then I became a PC in a rural area in AL. We were the first PCs there and we saw a great improvement in our low BF initiation rates after the program began! More....Now I'm a PC in Austin and I KNOW that I make a hue impact on my clients every single day. They tell me!!! |
| 135 |
Tue Jul 10 11:56:21 EDT 2012 |
Ellen Kuhn |
I breastfed my daughter, now a healthy 3 year old for a year. In the beginning it was hard. I had many concerns and I feel that a huge part of my success in breastfeeding was the fact that I knew a WIC More....breastfeeding consultant. She was always happy to answer any questions I had and reassure me that I was doing a good job! The support for women breastfeeding is out there, and we need it! Although I never used many of the programs offered, it was comforting to know that in my community there were multiple programs designed to support me as I breastfed for the first time. |
| 134 |
Sun Jul 01 17:46:12 EDT 2012 |
Donna koan |
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| 133 |
Fri Jun 29 12:11:58 EDT 2012 |
Teresa Donjon |
I would not have been able to continue fully breastfeeding my daughter without the help of my mom, my friend and the assistance of WIC in Florida. My daughter is now a healthy 20 year old with plans to More....breastfeed her children. She has the gift of good health and a functional immune system. She has been my inspiration to become an IBCLC so I can help other families meet their goals for feeding their infants breastmilk. It is the best way to provide lifelong health benefits! |
| 132 |
Thu Jun 28 10:55:03 EDT 2012 |
Hannah Severson |
I was helped by a peer counselor at a WIC office because they let me borrow a breast pump for when I returned to work. I had it for about 6 months before I was able to be a stay at home mom. I would not More....have been able to afford a pump on my own. And without a pump, I would not have been able to either work or breastfeed! |
| 131 |
Wed Jun 27 17:24:49 EDT 2012 |
Anonymous |
I would not have been able to nurse my baby if it were not for my breastfeeding peer counselor at the Florida WIC program. My daughteer never had to recieve formula from the WIC program. She was also never More....sick and never had to use her Medicaid benifits. I was glad that we saved our state so much money by breastfeeding. |
| 130 |
Sun Jun 24 17:32:20 EDT 2012 |
debra bryant |
I was 37 years old when I because pregnant for the first time. I had several friends from church and other venues who breastfed their children. I saw how happy and well adjusted the children were, and More....the moms said they would support me, answer my questions, etc. Without this group of peer moms, I could not have breastfed my three children. I noticed my kids weren't ill as much as other children whose mothers did not breastfeed. I was very bonded with my children, also. I really support breastfeeding as our God-given gift! |
| 129 |
Sat Jun 23 20:36:51 EDT 2012 |
Barbara Thayer |
I happened to fall into the breastfeeding community through Google. While pregnant, I was searching for a birthing class and the one offered that was not through the hospitals happened to be a Doula. I More....had never really been introduced to breastfeeding and the benefits of it or the resources to learn how. Thanks to this Doula, I was able to really learn all of the aspects of it and Through her, I found other networks and groups and similar minded ladies to help me through my breastfeeding. Once I made the choice to breastfeed as long as my child was willing to go I happen to be right at the six week mark and was allowed to exercise. I chose to attend a Mommy and Me Yoga class offered in town. Through this class I met even more like-minded mothers and from there I found all of my breastfeeding groups. I have been eager to learn and teach the benefits of breastfeeding and tolerance of it in public. It has been an amazing experience and all of the breastfeeding mothers in my life have shared so much with me. I have learned how to make it through teething and illness, as well as tips on travel and pumping. Breastfeeding takes a lot of effort when it comes to producing healthy milk and I could not have learned all of this without my groups and supporters. |
| 128 |
Sat Jun 23 20:36:28 EDT 2012 |
Barbara Thayer |
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| 127 |
Thu Jun 21 18:18:00 EDT 2012 |
Anonymous |
I nursed my son for 5 months and my daughter for 2 years. I credit my success completely to having support groups and friends who were also breastfeeding. Because of them, I learned that breastfeeding More....is "normal" and the challenges that baby presents (teething, cleft palate, poor latch, etc) can be solved, and have kept the human race alive this long! I faced a world of opposition from everyone else in my life, including my family and employers. Support groups are absolutely vital, and I can tell you that for me and my kids, breastfeeding has been an invaluable, sweet, and worthwhile experience. |
| 126 |
Thu Jun 21 14:38:52 EDT 2012 |
Portia Ives |
Last July when I was 5 months pregnant with our first child, my husband lost his job. Finances were already tight and our options were limited. I panicked like only a pregnant woman can.
I sought More....assistance through the Missouri WIC program ( Special supplemental nutrition program for wome, infants and children). My hope was to remain healthy enough for the duration of my pregnancy to bring my little girl into the world safe and sound. With the price of groceries these days and my growing appetite, the help from the WIC program was a welcome supplement to our frugal shopping list.
Little did I know that the support available through the WIC program would help me mentally, as well as Physically. I needed the groceries, yes- nutrition is very important when you're growing a baby. But I also needed support, and the WIC staff were always a step ahead of me with information and guidance.
I was introduced to Portia Ives, a "Breastfeeding Peer Counselor." Mrs.Ives went over breastfeeding resources and information before my daughter was born. Later she helped council me on correct positioning and other issues I faced in the first days and weeks of breastfeeding my newborn. I was even given her cell phone number in case questions or issues during nights or weekends when the office was closed.
And, it was Mrs. Ives and her co-workers who solved the riddle of my daughter being "tongue-tied", meaning her tongue was too webbed underneath to allow for proper movement. Being tongue-tied caused my newborn to eat inadequately and to bruise me in the process. The diagnosis was confirmed by a specialist and easily resolved in one office visit with hardly a tear shed. I was finally able to properly nurse my newborn and continue breastfeeding with confidence and new-found comfort.
Without the support of the women at the WIC office, I would have switched to formula. There's nothing wrong with formula, and breastfeedinig isn't right or even possible every woman, but I was determined to try. With their positive encouragement, I was able to persevere.
The resources and personnel made available through the WIC program have allowed me three successful months of exclusively my daughter and the confidence to continue. She's plump and healthy 12 pounds now, and the pride I feel when I look at her chubby little cheeks should be shared by the women who helped make it possible. A heart-felt thank you to the Potosi WIC office staff, from Stephanie and little Evie Ann. |
| 125 |
Wed Jun 20 15:37:25 EDT 2012 |
La'Sherrie Tyes |
As a mom who has breastfeed 2 children, I understand the need to have that person whom you can call when you have an issue. Many people believe that breastfeeding is easy, just because it's natural. That More....is not always the case. It does take work and commitment. My peer counselors helped me to achieve my breastfeeding goals. They were very supportive and helpful in educating me as well. Now that I am Peer Counselor it is rewardin to know that I am helping another mom, educating another mom and simply just being there to assist if that mom's has questions or concerns. Today breastfeeding is no longer the norm, but somehow it became gross and disgutsting to many people. Breastfeeding a child is the most nutriontial way to make sure that certain things like asthma, allergies, breast cancer, obesity, etc are at a reduced risk. We have become a more health concsious society, but people tend to leave breastfeeding out of that conversation. By breastfeeding the WIC departments will save $1,000's on formula and our kids will be healthier. A healthy lifestyle has to start somewhere. Why not jump start it with BREASTFEEDING!!! |
| 124 |
Wed Jun 20 14:00:14 EDT 2012 |
Stephanie Grgurich |
My name is Stephanie Grgurich and I am the BFPC at the Adair County WIC office. I myself breastfed both of my children and had great sucess at it, but there where many times I wished I had support outside More....of my family , and that is why My Job is so important. I help give Moms the best information and knowledge for breastfeeding.Most of all support ! I think it is so important to keep this program! I have had many Moms say if it had not had been for me and this program they probably would have quit or not have event tryd. |
