Support Vital for Breastfeeding Success

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Fact Box

Local Support Groups

Nursing Mothers' Support Group - Facilitated by Jean Cooper, International Board Certified Lactation Consultant, and Kim Conner, certified lactation educator; 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., fourth Saturday of every month, Harbor of Hope Assembly of God, Ohio 9 South, St. Clairsville. 304-242-5751 or 740-633-4294.

La Leche League Support Group - Facilitated by Theresa Warren, 10 a.m. to noon, third Thursday of every month, Ohio County Public Library. 304-277-2208.

Jefferson County Breastfeeding Club - Facilitated by Jefferson County Women, Infants and Children staff member Denise Bowman, 10 a.m., second Wednesday of every month, WIC office, 500 Market St., Steubenville. 740-283-8533.

If anyone is interested in meeting in the Barnesville area, call Akiko Brownstein, 740-425-3620.

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"April, this is Gina," I heard my friend say on my voicemail. "Would you be able to call my sister? Sara is just beside herself right now. She's trying to get the baby to feed, and she's thinking about giving him an ounce of formula, but she's feeling guilty about it. If you have time to give her a call, I'd really appreciate it."

I dialed Sara's number. Voicemail. "Sara, this is April. Gina asked me to call you because you're having trouble getting the baby to nurse. If there's anything I can do to help you, please call me. Also, if the baby is hungry, the first priority should be to feed him. Don't feel guilty about giving him formula, but keep working on getting him to latch on. Call me anytime."

I ended the call and walked into the living room. My husband, a huge supporter of breastfeeding and all its many benefits, said, "What was that about?"

"I guess Sara's having trouble with nursing," I answered, knowing this was her first night home from the hospital after delivering her first baby. Without any hesitation, he insisted: "You should go over there and help her."

The troops of support - parents of breastfed children - had been activated.

Although the names have been changed, this is a true story. And, this short anecdote is only one example of the way nursing mothers, and often their husbands, team together to support others who are going through the same struggles they once faced.

It's well known that breastfeeding is natural, but that does not make it easy. I like to think of it this way: Gardening is a natural way to grow your own food, even in your own backyard. But, does that mean it is an easy task? Quite the opposite, in fact.

Like gardening, breastfeeding takes research, determination, stamina and perseverance. One of the most important necessities for nursing mothers, however, is support. Enlisting the help of other mothers - and fathers - who have conquered the challenges of breastfeeding is often the best way to persevere through this natural process.

"Your partner's support will be beneficial to your breastfeeding success," states the American Academy of Pediatrics Web site. "Tell other family members and friends about your plans to breastfeed and gain their support.

But the site recommends taking it a step farther:

"Seek out breastfeeding support groups in your area before your baby is born and consider attending one while pregnant and becoming familiar with the leaders. Talking with other women about their breastfeeding experiences may be helpful and give you a circle of friends to call for help after the baby is born."

One such local group meets in St. Clairsville once a month, led by lactation consultant Jean Cooper and lactation educator Kim Connor. This group was a great resource for me and has been serving moms like me for more than 10 years.

Like Sara, I had difficulties the first night I brought our son home from the hospital. If not for a breastfeeding friend who recommended I call Connor, I might have seriously jeopardized my milk supply that night. Connor came to my aid over the phone despite the late hour (11 p.m.) and then she personally gave me support over the next few days. She and Cooper provide that kind of help to local women - both at the monthly meetings and in between times - because they sincerely want to see them succeed.

Meggan Pasqualla of Wheeling regularly attended the support group meetings when she breastfed her sons, Angelo, 5, and Silas, 3.

"I was blessed enough to have an official support group that met once a month, and most of my mommy friends were breastfeeding at the same time," said Pasqualla, whose third baby is due at the end of March. "We sure talked about, what I thought at the time, every topic you could cover. Even if someone else had a question, I tucked away the answer just in case I ran into the same issue."

Said Connor: "Mother-to-mother support groups offer breastfeeding mothers an empowering life-line of accurate information and encouragement about breastfeeding. It is much easier to enjoy and appreciate this phase of motherhood when we share its ups and downs with other mothers who have been there."

An organized group of moms, however, is not the only way to garner support for breastfeeding and its challenges. Heather Dobrzynski of Wheeling relied mostly on her mother, Nancie Hines, for advice and encouragement.

"My mother breastfed her three children, so she was a great support system to have. My mom and other supportive family and friends just used encouraging words to help me through the challenges," noted Hines. The Wheeling resident recalled that she did not have a strong support system when she nursed her three children, who were born in 1977, 1980 and 1984.

No one in her circle of family and friends breastfed their babies; her husband was her primary supporter.

"There were many times I wished I had someone to talk to when I had a question," she said.

Pasqualla and another St. Clairsville support group member, St. Clairsville resident Natalie Hawthorne, said the answer to just about any question is a phone call away among the supportive members and leaders.

"I faced some challenges including oversupply and plugged ducts, among other issues," said Hawthorne, the mother of Kyra, 4; Alianna, 2; and newborn Rylend. "I always wanted to keep going, but with the help of experienced mothers, I was able to have the resources to overcome the challenges. They had 'been there, done that' and shared valuable advice."

No matter what specific challenges nursing moms face, they concur that reaching out to others for help is essential.

"Had I not had help, I would not have continued breastfeeding," Pasqualla admitted.

Hawthorne added: "Don't be afraid to seek out support if necessary. They are lots of moms out there, like me, who would love to help."