little feet, big sky

I went to the breastfeeding support group at the Pump Station on Vine this afternoon and was so glad that I did. I don’t think Spice and I are really having too much trouble, other than the constant spitting up and my worrying that it was something I ate, but it was so nice to be around other new moms going through the same things. More than I realized it would be.

The class at the Vine location is Mondays and Tuesdays at 1pm for 0-4 month-olds. The first class is free; after that, they’re $15/each. The women seemed quite diverse and there’s a lactation consultant running the meeting to answer any questions, etc. I have to admit, she did a good job of answering questions textbook-style and then opening the conversation for everyone else to offer tips or advice. It was great for encouragement and support, especially for some of the women who seemed to think their problem (ie. nursing constantly, milk supply, etc.) was theirs alone.

I haven’t made it to a La Leche League meeting yet, but I hope to hit one in the Hollywood area within the next month. In the meantime, I’ve been getting my fill of breastfeeding stories from The Breastfeeding Cafe by Barbara L. Behrmann.

They say the best things for a new mother starting out breastfeeding is the help of a good lactation consultant and the support of other breastfeeding mothers. While there’s no replacing the lactation consultant, I highly recommend this book for anyone looking to nurse, whether you’re lacking in breastfeeding companions or not.

The stories are both humorous and heartwarming, poignant and rousing. There’s the story of Savannah (pg. 86), born with a traumatic skin condition, being sustained on donated breast milk for the first year of her life to receive the proper antibodies. There’s the frustrating story from Susan in St. Louis (pg. 114) who had to argue with her pediatrician over proper treatment for her & her son over a case of thrush. And, my favorite, the incredible, heartmelting story from Anjelina in Washington (pg. 283) about weaning and what to do with the last stash of breastmilk in the freezer.

I know that for some things in life, you can never be fully prepared until it happens, but that never stops me from trying to find out as much as I can well in advance. I have a few “informational” breastfeedings books, about technique, recognizing problems, etc., but wanted more exposure to other womens’ personal experiences. I know very few breastfeeding mothers offline, and The Breastfeeding Cafe has been a great read in being honest about frustrations, challenges, joys and rewards of breastfeeding your child.

• Buy The Breastfeeding Cafe on Amazon. $15.
• Check out the companion site, breastfeedingcafe.com.
• Read the book review from La Leche League.
• Find out more about breastfeeding or find a local meeting through La Leche League.