Today I was at the drugstore on the corner picking up some q-tips. As I cruised with my DS, sitting in his sling, past the baby stuff, I noticed a young (17? 18?) Mexican woman staring at the formula in confusion. She seemed really overwhelmed. Her appearance was that of a new mother and then some. She shyly tugged at my arm and asked if I could help her read the label on the formula to be able to tell which kind would last her longer. As I was fumbling with the various boxes to try to figure out how it's all mixed and what pre-mixed is all about (i've never touched the stuff), she asked which kind I thought was best. I told her I wasn't sure since I breastfed. She got really shy, but it was one of those moments where I saw some hope glimmer in her eyes. "Oh, you breastfeed?" She said. I could tell she hadn't spoken with anyone about breastfeeding. I smiled and said, "Yes, I do." and came back to sorting through formula. I told her that for my DS I would have to get Alumentum (sp?) because of his sensitivity, but that she should try the regular stuff since it was so much more affordable and see how the baby does. She tanked me, went back to staring at the boxes, and I walked on. But, I just couldn't stop myself. This girl was just so confused. I swear, I don't think anyone she knew was going to help her with this. So, I left the line of the register and walked back up to her. The conversation went like this:
"Sorry to bother you again. Is this for your baby?"
"Yes, my baby."
"Have you tried to breastfeed?"
"Yes I breastfeed now." And she looks down embarrassed, "but it really hurts."
"Oh, great! I'm glad you're trying. There are so many ways to help stick with it. You know, it so much easier! You don't have to buy formula or bring bottles with you or look for boiled water to mix it or anything. You'll really think it's great after a while!"
"But it hurts so much..."
"Well, you know, there are people who are trained to help new moms. Maybe it hurts because your baby hasn't learned how to grab on well, or maybe you are just starting out. My nipples hurt very much at first, but now I don't feel a thing!"
"Really?"
"Yes! And if you ask your baby's doctor, they can get you a nipple shield. They have them in the hospital. It really helped me to start out. There is also LLL, where they have special people to give you advice about this."
"Oh, ok."
"Really, it is the best for your baby! You will be giving your baby such a gift!"
She seemed either somewhat convinced r eve more confused, I couldn't tell. I smiled a big smile and walked back to the register. On the walk home I realized that I know where this girl lives and I pass her and her family every single day outside of their apartment building.
Would it be inappropriate for me to "follow up" casually? Was I being too pushy? It just doesn't seem like anyone close to her will even attempt to guide her. I respect her decision, but she seems so darn conflicted about it. I swear I'm about to casually hand her an LLL pamphlet and a breast shield....Did I stick my nose where it didn't belong?
"Sorry to bother you again. Is this for your baby?"
"Yes, my baby."
"Have you tried to breastfeed?"
"Yes I breastfeed now." And she looks down embarrassed, "but it really hurts."
"Oh, great! I'm glad you're trying. There are so many ways to help stick with it. You know, it so much easier! You don't have to buy formula or bring bottles with you or look for boiled water to mix it or anything. You'll really think it's great after a while!"
"But it hurts so much..."
"Well, you know, there are people who are trained to help new moms. Maybe it hurts because your baby hasn't learned how to grab on well, or maybe you are just starting out. My nipples hurt very much at first, but now I don't feel a thing!"
"Really?"
"Yes! And if you ask your baby's doctor, they can get you a nipple shield. They have them in the hospital. It really helped me to start out. There is also LLL, where they have special people to give you advice about this."
"Oh, ok."
"Really, it is the best for your baby! You will be giving your baby such a gift!"
She seemed either somewhat convinced r eve more confused, I couldn't tell. I smiled a big smile and walked back to the register. On the walk home I realized that I know where this girl lives and I pass her and her family every single day outside of their apartment building.
Would it be inappropriate for me to "follow up" casually? Was I being too pushy? It just doesn't seem like anyone close to her will even attempt to guide her. I respect her decision, but she seems so darn conflicted about it. I swear I'm about to casually hand her an LLL pamphlet and a breast shield....Did I stick my nose where it didn't belong?
: Good for you, mama! What luck, that she stumbled on you in the store. 
