Why we needed breastfeeding support

A collection of thoughts and comments from members of our breastfeeding support groups

Madison Hospital and Huntsville Hospital for Women & Children host several breastfeeding support groups on their campuses. An Internationally Board Certified Lactation Consultant facilitates the group and provides assistance to mothers in attendance. At their request, we’re sharing thoughts and comments from these appreciative breastfeeding moms.

I was ready to quit and give up on breastfeeding. I hated pumping and didn’t feel like I was getting enough to keep with it, but my husband encouraged me to call breastfeeding support. I found the group experience to be nothing like what I’d thought it was going to be. It was welcoming and forgiving, and I wished I’d gone sooner.

It’s a place to go to get help, but it was also a great opportunity to connect with other moms, which made me feel like I had a team who really wanted me to succeed. I needed this outlet to express my frustration of knowing I had enough milk, but still not being able to get my baby to breastfeed. I needed to talk with other moms who were having their own challenges – and triumphs. I learned that I had experiences that could help some less experienced moms, and at the same time I was learning from other veteran moms.

I would encourage every Mom to attend the breastfeeding support group. We’re five months strong now, and I know I’ll continue to attend on Saturdays with Harper until we reach a year.

I wanted to have a successful breastfeeding relationship, and I needed help weening myself off a nipple shield. But, the single most valuable thing I learned was that I was enough for my child. My nursing relationship with my baby has been so easy because of the support I have through this group. Now I’ve realized that this is my passion. I’ve decided to become a certified lactation consultant.

When I went back to work my baby became frustrated at the breast. I started coming to the support group to get help to keep him at the breast and now I feel much more confident in my ability to breastfeed. On top of that, I have found friends for my son and for myself and I have more emotional support than I could of ever imagined.

I joined the support group because it had been five years since I breastfed my first set of twins. Although I had learned a lot of new breast-feeding information from a breastfeeding class I attended, I needed assistance to help my baby girl latch. She was significantly smaller than her brother and spent some time in the NICU, which meant she had some extra challenges.

The lactation consultants taught me how to supplement with formula appropriately so both my babies would benefit from my breast milk, and I could ensure they received all the nutrition they needed to grow. They also helped me realize that I am doing the best I can for my babies.

I really appreciate the support towards breastfeeding but also their support when I’ve had to use formula to supplement. They celebrate the small and big victories with everyone. I really enjoy getting out each Tuesday to see how my babies have grown and talk about the successes and challenges we have faced the week prior. This is an amazing group of LC’s, mothers and babies.