When I got pregnant with Mason I told anyone who asked that my breastfeeding goal was one year. Most everyone laughed at my lofty goals. They thought I was getting ahead of myself, that I didn’t know what I was getting myself into. And the truth was *I* didn’t know what I was getting myself into.
My mother breastfeed some of my siblings but the ones she breastfed the most were my brother Luke and my sister Ava both of which were born while I was away at college. On top of that she didn’t exclusively breastfeed them she supplemented with formula. And that was pretty much the extent of my experience with breastfeeding.
So I didn’t know what I was getting myself into.
B was pretty supportive for the most part he wanted me to breastfeed Mason but since he is notably a man he didn’t have any personal experience to provide me with. He didn’t know the answers to my questions. And many of my relatives while not outright un-supportive often said things that showed they would have a limit to their tolerance (and they did) of my breastfeeding and often gave “advice” that was just down right wrong.
Despite the lack of support I assumed I would be fine, breastfeeding is natural after all. And by all means it *did* come naturally to me. When I hear about the struggles that some women face I fell fortunate because I had little to no issues but I still had questions and I know that for many other women it isn’t “easy”.
When you’re faced with the task of wanting to breastfeed but you have little to know support here are some things to tip the odds in your favor.
Go Online
Use Hashtags
I found the answers to my questions in an online community, through twitter and the hashtags #BFCafe and #Breastfeeding. We would gather every Thursday and all my questions would be answered. Concerns I had would be soothed. It was and IS an amazing community. In fact, they’re meeting tonight.
When we weren’t in the #BFCafe we could use the hashtag and before long someone would answer you. It was amazing. USE those hashtags. There are still people who check them and who can answer your questions.
Websites
I honestly don’t know what I would do without some of these websites!
Facebook Communities
Many of these websites having awesome Facebook Communities where you can submit questions and get answers from your peers.
There are also many breastfeeding support groups, most are closed or private so you can feel secure asking your question. Here’s one that you can request to join:
Read These Online Articles
Look at the Baby, Not the Scale
Books
There are so many books out there on Breastfeeding. Here are some of my favorites!
The Ultimate Breastfeeding Book of Answers
Ina May’s Guide to Breastfeeding
The Womanly Art of Breastfeeding
Local Support
Call your local hospital to see if they have any meetings for new mothers. Many offer a group meeting where moms can get a weighted feed and discuss their concerns.
Find your local La Leche League chapter. La Leche League is great because it gets you around women who have been there and can help you with any questions you have. It’s also a great way to make friends!
There are SO many resources out there for breastfeeding mothers and I hope you find a place that you fit well with so you can get all the support that you need. If you need help with any of these resources I’d be happy to help or point you in the right direction if I can! Either comment below or email me at Christa (at) LittleBGCG.com.
Wow, these are awesome resources! I also wanted to breastfeed until 1 year (and went past with all three of mine), but I had a supportive midwife with my first and some good books as well. My husband was also very supportive, and suggested calling La Leche League and other things like that. Thanks for sharing!
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