There is a young couple across the street from me that just had a baby. In the last couple of months, my husband and I have become aquainted with them. I have to say it's SO nice to have another couple around us that has children. They started very young, as they are 24 and 25 with a 9 year old son...you do the math!
In my first conversation with Rebecca (the wife), I had to ask all the common questions you ask an expectant mother. I casually brought up breastfeeding. She expressed her interest in "trying it", as she hadn't been too successful bfing with her first 2 children. She said she'd try it for about 3 or 4 months, and then wean. I told her that I bf'd my son for 2 years, and her her eyes got huge...LOL! I said it's really not so extreme as people would think, since the WHO recommends 2 years minimum, while the AAP recommends *at least* a year. She said "I don't think I'd even do a year!" I expressed all the benefits baby's recieve from bfing, and then of course I layed it on thick with the benefits *I* recieved....the $$$, the weight loss, the convenience and of course the emotional benefits as well. As to not overkill our first conversation, I ended it at that.
As the birth got closer, we casually discussed bfing here and there, and I offered to give her the number to the LC that helped me with my bfing issues when I brought my son home from the hospital. She said that if she needed it, she'd ask.
Well, a few days ago I dropped by to bring a welcome home present for the baby....she's such a precious little bean! I got to hold her and dote over her for about 30 minutes...but I digress. She started asking me advice about bfing, pumps and that if her bfing pain was normal. We had a great conversation, and I reminded her that I would be happy to refer her to a great LC. She took the offer, and today she went to see her.
SO...I'm out watering my flowers a few minutes ago, and she comes out and thanks me for the referal. She said she would've quit if it wasn't for my referal!!! She said she is SO thankful for educating her, and that after all that I have told her, and after talking to the LC, she is going to commit to a year of bfing!!!!
I wanted to jump on her and give her huge hugs...but I just encouraged her with a big smile. Then, I talked to her about NIP.....that's a whole other hurdle to jump now...LOL. She's a little uncomfortable, but her husband is more so. I just encouraged her, and let her know how normal NIP is, and that there is nothing to be afraid of. Her husband is also uncomfortable with their kids seeing her nurse the baby. I jumped on that, very gently, and told her that it's SO important for her kids to see her nurse. That if they see how special it is, they will make better dcisions regarding it when they grow up and have families of their own. She totally agreed, and was encouraged.
I always encourage mommas to bf, and I always express how wonderful it is....but I don't always get to hear feedback. 99% of my friends bf....so my conversations are almost always with strangers. It's nice to KNOW that I actually influenced a person's decision in such a positive way!
In my first conversation with Rebecca (the wife), I had to ask all the common questions you ask an expectant mother. I casually brought up breastfeeding. She expressed her interest in "trying it", as she hadn't been too successful bfing with her first 2 children. She said she'd try it for about 3 or 4 months, and then wean. I told her that I bf'd my son for 2 years, and her her eyes got huge...LOL! I said it's really not so extreme as people would think, since the WHO recommends 2 years minimum, while the AAP recommends *at least* a year. She said "I don't think I'd even do a year!" I expressed all the benefits baby's recieve from bfing, and then of course I layed it on thick with the benefits *I* recieved....the $$$, the weight loss, the convenience and of course the emotional benefits as well. As to not overkill our first conversation, I ended it at that.
As the birth got closer, we casually discussed bfing here and there, and I offered to give her the number to the LC that helped me with my bfing issues when I brought my son home from the hospital. She said that if she needed it, she'd ask.
Well, a few days ago I dropped by to bring a welcome home present for the baby....she's such a precious little bean! I got to hold her and dote over her for about 30 minutes...but I digress. She started asking me advice about bfing, pumps and that if her bfing pain was normal. We had a great conversation, and I reminded her that I would be happy to refer her to a great LC. She took the offer, and today she went to see her.
SO...I'm out watering my flowers a few minutes ago, and she comes out and thanks me for the referal. She said she would've quit if it wasn't for my referal!!! She said she is SO thankful for educating her, and that after all that I have told her, and after talking to the LC, she is going to commit to a year of bfing!!!!
I wanted to jump on her and give her huge hugs...but I just encouraged her with a big smile. Then, I talked to her about NIP.....that's a whole other hurdle to jump now...LOL. She's a little uncomfortable, but her husband is more so. I just encouraged her, and let her know how normal NIP is, and that there is nothing to be afraid of. Her husband is also uncomfortable with their kids seeing her nurse the baby. I jumped on that, very gently, and told her that it's SO important for her kids to see her nurse. That if they see how special it is, they will make better dcisions regarding it when they grow up and have families of their own. She totally agreed, and was encouraged.I always encourage mommas to bf, and I always express how wonderful it is....but I don't always get to hear feedback. 99% of my friends bf....so my conversations are almost always with strangers. It's nice to KNOW that I actually influenced a person's decision in such a positive way!
