Wogec could retire, but she continues to work because she loves it so much. If we could all be so lucky to find a calling that we love and that makes such a difference! Enjoy the article.

From Rachele Cooper’s piece in the October 2007 issue of Parenting Magazine:

Some pharmacies continue to sell it(domperidone), and moms are taking the drug because many doctors contend it’s safer than commonly prescribed lactation aids. Whether or not it’s safe enough, it’s definitely not legal. Until more research is available, ask your doctor about natural lactation aids or techniques if you’re having trouble. Most issues can be resolved without medication, says Ruth Lawrence, M.D., chair of the American Academy of Pediatrics’ Section on Breastfeeding.

The first entry is a Washington Post article that was published August 30th. The article shows how the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has scaled back powerful breastfeeding information in ads because they are catering to the strong infant formula lobby.

To read the article click here.

I have nothing against using formula, but not giving mothers the health information they deserve should be far from the goals of HHS. What were they thinking?

I really like how the article addresses different breastfeeding struggles along with solutions to fix them. Also, the writer is very honest about the realities of breastfeeding.

I hope the article helps you if you are dealing with some of these challenges currently. You are not alone!

As most of you know, I’m not a proponent of putting excessive pressure and guilt on moms who choose not to breastfeed. I am, however, a HUGE proponent of education. I wish I had known so much more about breastfeeding when I had my first baby, particularly about how to get help when I ran into problems. So gather all the info you can and make the decision that’s right for your family about feeding your baby.

This month’s theme is, “What I Didn’t Expect When I was Expecting.” After my post you’ll find links to other blogger’s contributions on this topic. Feel free to leave your own comment on what you didn’t expect about breastfeeding – good or bad!

EDUCATION IS KEY

I was so uninformed about breastfeeding when I was pregnant with my first daughter. I was a little concerned because my breasts have always been a sensitive area (I’m very ticklish there). But it was hard for me to think past the delivery and what obstacles I might face.

The only information I had received while pregnant was a brief overview of nursing in my childbirth class. The instructor made it sound like no one would have any problems – just put baby to breast and it will all go smoothly. I also had seen many images of women breastfeeding on TV or in the movies that made it look easy. When these women nursed their babies, it seemed like the most natural thing in the world.

Breastfeeding did not come naturally for me. This was in 1992 and none of my doctors had talked to me about lactation consultants or La Leche League. I have a vivid memory of one particularly callous nurse in the hospital who shoved my daughter onto my breast when my baby’s mouth wasn’t open wide enough for a latch. When my daughter clamped down on my nipple, I yelped in pain. The nurses in general did not know how to coach me on breastfeeding. They mostly left me alone to figure it out.

Once we got home, things became worse. To this day I don’t know if I ever had my daughter latched on correctly, as I suffered pain at each feeding. I didn’t know who to talk to or where to find help. Neither my mom or mother-in-law had breastfed, and I was the first of my local group of friends to have a baby. I was ashamed about how this act, that was suppose to come so easily, had me at my wit’s end. When my daughter was six weeks old, I quit nursing and cried at my sense of failure.

Luckily I was much better informed by the time I had my second girl. I read books on breastfeeding and talked to lots of people about how they did it successfully. I was able to nurse my daughter for months, rather than weeks, and am incredibly proud of how I learned from my first experience.

So get informed and don’t hesitate to seek out help if you have difficulties. While you’re pregnant, gather the resources you’ll need: phone numbers of lactation consultants, your local La Leche League, and stores that sell breastfeeding supplies. Read all you can and take a class that is solely dedicated to teaching you how to breastfeed. You can do it – something I wish I had known when I was struggling to nurse my oldest daughter.

Because of my difficulties with breastfeeding and other stresses that come with the early months of parenthood, I now work as a postpartum doula. I help new families in their homes so that their transition to parenthood goes a lot smoother than mine did. I’ve also written a book of women’s stories titled, “Why Didn’t Anyone Tell Me? True Stories of New Motherhood.”

Thank you for visiting my blog. I hope you come back often.

Check out these great contributions from other bloggers on the same theme:

• Sinead and Breastfeeding Mums writes “What I wish I’d known about breastfeeding.”
•Shelly at Adventures of a Breastfeeding Mother tells us what she didn’t expect about breastfeeding.
•Angela at Breastfeeding 1-2-3 tell us “What I didn’t expect when I was expecting.”
•Ashlee at New Mama’s Nest tells us what she didn’t expect about breastfeeding her ‘early bird.’
•Rixa at The True Face of Birth tells what she didn’t expect when she was expecting.
•Down with the Kids reflects back on breastfeeding as she weans her son in her post “Goodbye Booby”
•Heather at The Spice Choir talks about how breastfeeding changed her social interactions.
•Andi at Mama Knows Breast shares her top 10 list of things she didn’t expect about breastfeeding.
•Jen at The Lactivist tells us how “Nursing isn’t quite what I expected.”

Dollar Stretcher offers free weekly e-newsletters. I like the Dollar Stretcher for Parents one the best. You can sign up for it, or any of their newsletters, here. The newsletters and the site provide tons of money saving tips.

Even though breastfeeding in general costs less than bottlefeeding, there still are ways it can eat away at your budget. Cathy’s article will help you find places where you can economize.

When you nurse, your body releases the “feel-good” hormones oxytocin and prolactin. I’m convinced that weaning too quickly, and the drop of hormone levels that caused in my body, brought on the depression.

Breastfeeding is a wonderful way to feed your baby, and I highly encourage it, but I also honor your choice to decide what method of feeding works best for your family. If you make the choice to wean, take it slowly. Dropping a feeding every three to four days, or, even better, just one a week, will allow your body the time to adjust to the hormone drop.

You may need to express a small amount of milk to relieve engorgement, but be careful not to express too much or your body will keep producing milk for the feeding you are dropping.

Warning signs that you are weaning too quickly include:

For your baby:
•vomiting
•diarrhea
•irritability
•anxiety

For you:
•swollen, painful, or tender breasts
•warmth in the breasts
•fever
•depression