The Realities of the Breastfeeding Journey
By Alyce Pearce
“Without
my anticipated biological instruction manual, I felt I was failing
my first test as a mother.”
Breastfeeding.
Before being pregnant, this seemed like such a simple concept,
wrapped up in a neat little package with the label:
“No directions necessary. Baby and Mother follow natural
instincts.”
So, like many new mothers, the few days and months after the birth
of my son at home came as a stressful and unforeseen challenge.
Without my anticipated biological instruction manual, I felt I was
failing my first test as a mother. Terms like ‘lactation consultant’,
‘latch’, ‘letdown’ and ‘the football
hold’ quickly took their place as essentials for my sanity,
and my baby’s survival. I had overlooked the significance
of breastfeeding, assuming that I was biologically equipped to adapt.
.
‘My instincts will kick in as soon as that baby touches its
nose to my breast, and we’ll know what to do,’ I thought.
One mother shared with me,
“I had this vision of my baby and I cuddling quietly together,
with Enya playing softly in the background - I wish!”
I had never felt so unprepared.
Finding Resources in the Columbia River
Gorge
Once the illusion was shattered, I was desperate to educate
myself, commencing a self-led crash course in how to establish a
healthy breastfeeding relationship with my baby:
I scoured the Columbia Gorge yellow pages for help. I called friends
and family.
I found many invaluable people, websites, books and forums that
helped bring perspective to the breastfeeding relationship beginning
with my son, but it was not easy. Consultant referrals came as scribbles
on scraps of paper, and advice jumbled together from sleep-deprived
conversations.
The quantity of information and support that existed to help mothers
at all stages of breastfeeding, with almost any situation or difficulty,
was impressive and comforting. I soon understood that my struggles
were normal and navigable. However, accessing that information took
some legwork.
Once I realized the depth of this most basic, yet complex topic,
I vowed to help other women who might find themselves in the midst
of their own journey with breastfeeding get the support they need.
A Compass for the Journey
Breastfeeding has received so much more support in recent
years, thankfully, so that women who once may have thought breastfeeding
too challenging or “not natural” now have resources,
both online and in our community, to give them greater confidence
to sustain and nurture their breastfeeding relationships.
Below is a list of resources and links to help support you or someone
you know in this special, most essential journey. A new mother plus
little sleep plus anxiety equals stress -
We hope this information balances out that “formula”.
A reminder - although the Internet offers information at your
fingertips, always read with a critical eye. Cross-referencing among
resources is always a good idea!
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