Everyone will tell you, breastfeeding is natural, it’s best, it’s what our bodies were made for. That’s all wonderful. However, what you don’t often hear is the realities of how breastfeeding culture has changed. Sixty years ago we all would have grown up watching our aunts, mothers, and cousins breastfeeding their babies. We’d be surrounded by a culture of ‘normal’ breastfeeding, so when we became mothers, we’d have a clue as to what we were doing. Unfortunately the reality is that most moms don’t ever see a woman breastfeeding until they are breastfeeding themselves. This is why breastfeeding support is SO crucial.
There are many ways to find support today. Many moms are turning to the internet and message boards, some moms are turning to Twitter, and some moms are choosing in person support meetings, like La Leche League or Breastfeeding USA.
I host the #bfcafe chat on Twitter on Thursday nights (10 PM Eastern), and our topic a few weeks back was support and where most moms find their support. The answers were as varied as the moms participating, but the key was that everyone who was successful had support from somewhere.
So as a mom where do you find support? How will you be successful? Who is your cheerleader? Trust me, you’ll need one.
I joined my local LLL group when my oldest was a few weeks old. I became a leader after she turned 1. I also found support through message board with like minded moms. Moms whose breastfeeding goals were similar to mine, and moms who had been successful at reaching those goals. It is also very rewarding to be on the other side of that now. I get to hang out on Twitter and encourage moms who are struggling with breastfeeding. I can go back to the message boards that gave me support, and now I can offer support. I also offer support to every mom I know who is breastfeeding.
I have turned my passion for supporting moms into my career. I’ve spent time learning and educating myself, and I am anxiously awaiting my results from this years IBCLC exam. My goal is to help as many moms be successful in meeting their breastfeeding goals as I can. I sometimes have to sit back and remind myself that my goals are different from other moms’ goals, and that’s ok. Everyone has different goals, and different ideals, and different circumstances. In a perfect world all moms would find a support system. A support system that would encourage them to meet their goals, to consider themselves successful, whatever that might look like for them.
Having in real life support is very valuable, and if you can find a group of like minded moms, who will support and encourage you to meet your goals, that is a great place to start. Turning to the internet for support is also great, but it’s different. There’s nothing like seeing another mom successfully breastfeed to help build your confidence. So if you can, find moms and surround yourself with a good support network.
Where did you find support? Was your support what it should have been? How can we help support you? How can you help support other moms?
Today’s post is a part of the Breastfeeding Blog Hop. Click below to see what others have to say on the topic.
For me it was my mom and also La Leche League. Oddly I went to my first LLL meeting not for breastfeeding advice but for babywearing help! I tell moms that you can learn a lot more than breastfeeding at LLL meetings.
Carrie – I learned SO much from the moms at LLL, especially in other areas of motherhood. I wouldn’t be the mom I am today if it weren’t for the many examples of motherhood I experienced.
I think keeping an open conversation with other moms of babies and toddlers is so important. To be able to discuss and ask questions without judging or feeling judged is crucial. I’ve never felt judged at a LLL meeting. There are all types of moms from all types of backgrounds. It’s not about “hippie” mamas who don’t wear deodorant or don’t shave their legs. It’s about mamas who are trying to be the best moms they can be and do what they feel is best for their children. It’s a place to share information and challenges. We have that with everything else – you know to call 911 in an emergency or poison control if your baby ingested something. You should also know who you can call if you need breastfeeding support.
Gaby – I agree! I wish more moms knew about the support networks available and were able to use them!
I’ve never participated in the #bfcafe chat but I plan on it soon. I wish I had known about it in the beginning, it would have been another tool in my toolbox. Luckily I found support in other forums.
Lori – Join us tonight if you can!! We’d love to have you! :)
I’m trying to get an edge on breastfeeding support! I am pregnant with my first child and I am gathering a circle of support now so that I am prepared if breastfeeding doesn’t go exactly as I imagine. I feel lucky to be aware of the many avenues of support out there for breastfeeding moms (although the #bfcafe is new to me, I will have to check it out!). What I’m lacking is the support of peers. I have moved to a new city and at the moment I am going to be the only mom in our group of friends (until I find myself a mom’s group!). I think it is so important to feel comfortable talking about breastfeeding (and any obstacles that come with it).
Sara – Congratulations on your pregnancy! That’s WONDERFUL that you are gathering resources now. I don’t know where you live, but LLL has groups all over the world (www.llli.org). Maybe a NAP (Natural Approach to Parenting) group might exist near you as well.
Twitter was my lifeline in those early months and #BFCafe was often my go-to.
Yay! I’m so excited I finally got to check out your blog…after attending #BFcafe regularly the past few weeks I guess it’s about time! I think all that you do to help breastfeeding moms is AMAZING! The #BFcafe chat has been a wonderful experience for me, I plan on continuing to attend regularly and referring as many bfing moms as I can. Good luck with your exam results, I’m sure we’ll all be congratualting you soon! Thank you for writing this, I hope you’ll check out my post at http://www.EcoCrazyMom.com and follow back! You can also add your blog to my Blog Directory under the “bloggers” tab if you’d like.
~Terri
@EcoCrazyMom
I love how much support is out there on the internet! I agree, years ago, we would have had a large group of women around us that we would have seen breastfeeding and who would be there to guide us from the second we gave birth. Since that isn’t the norm anymore (at least in the US), it is sooo important to have those other supports available to us.
I had a great lactation consultant, but I was unaware of other supports out there. I’m glad that I have found them now! How cool too, that you are now working to support others.
Breastfed: A breastfeeding blog for the modern mama.