I was at the home of a new mommy who had just come home from the hospital with her brand new baby girl. I went to help her with breastfeeding. This is probably one of my most favorite things to do! Being a part of helping a new mother out with feeding her baby is more rewarding than anything I know.
This new mother looked tired and a bit over-whelmed. She told me that while in the hospital, the on-staff consultant that came to visit with her spent just about 10 minutes with her asking her basic questions about the baby and predominantly talking to her about how utterly important it was to get a "Boppy Pillow". When the consultant left (not without leaving a brochure for where to get a Boppy) she admited to looking at her partner and saying, "Wasn't she going to show me how to breastfeed?"
That question preceded a night of improper latch-on, sore nipples, frustrated daddy and many mommy tears. By the time I met her at her home that night she was under the impression that she was "doing it right" because she had formed a blister on her breast and "it hurts like hell". This told her IT MUST BE RIGHT!
Ok, let me first say that I am not going to bash whoever this "lactation consultant" was. I know MANY wonderful LC's who I learned from! But I must ask...how can you help someone learn how to feed a newborn baby in 10 minutes? And what does the magical Boppy Pillow do if you don't even know how to feed the baby in the first place? I was so moved by how this young new mother cradled her baby in her arms and looking down at her said, "I just want to do it right, but I just don't know how." She was under the impression, as so many new mother's do, that someone would "help" them with breastfeeding. That someone in their hospital would spend time with them. That this person would answer her questions and take time explaining how it all works and how to know she's doing it right. Not just walk in, shove their breast in the babies mouth for them and leave. But sadly, this happens A LOT.
Well here is my advice to you new moms and to you preggos out there - GET, FIND, BEG, OR HIRE a professional lactation consultant/educator to come to you! Someone who will spend the time necessary to help you learn. Someone who will come to your home and sit with you and teach you how to hold this little baby properly. Someone who KNOWS about breastfeeding and how wonderful it could be. Someone who can teach a new dad all about his role and how he can help. If you are even thinking of breastfeeding YOU ARE GOING TO NEED HELP.
Our mother's - many of them anyways - did NOT breastfeed so they may not know how to help. Your sister, or your cousin, or your best friend may have breastfed and they will be great sources of encouragement...but you are going to need someone who understands and can explain the physiology and techniques of breastfeeding.
I spent 4 hours with this new mom. I cannot imagine spending less time than that. Or if it was less than that, doing more visits until she feels secure. I can't imagine watching at least two feedings to make sure mom gets the concepts. I can't imagine not being with this new mom and her partner and talking about ways to keep her milk supply up. I spoke to her yesterday and she told me that she is successfully nursing her baby girl...no blisters....no pain....and no Boppy (lol).
Lisi Grullon, CD, CBE, LE
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