A Voice For The Community

"I am blessed. I had a wonderful and encouraging support system in my husband, family, and a few nurses who sensed my determination and frustration. I had opportunities to attend support programs and join groups of supportive women who understand. I have formed friendships and am surrounded by great people who share their knowledge. And I have learned. I have learned that every woman not only has a right to choose what is best for her and her child but to make an informed decision and receive support" Jillian, nursing mama to Jack Angelo

This is place to share the stories that come along with being a nursing mama. Wether you breast-fed your baby for 1 day or 3 years, we're not here to judge, simply to listen. Listen to what happened when you tried your best for 3 whole weeks only to be defeated. Listen to how being a mommy changed the way you looked at the world. And all the other stories, insights and moments that fall in between the complex and the truthful lessons you learned from your baby.

Read. Enjoy. Share. This is the voice of the nursing community.

Thursday, December 9, 2010

What's In Your Milk?

I find it funny that whenever something is bothering my son, Teddy, the first response by many is "What have you been eating?"
The numerous "professionals" (I quote professionals because while they are doctors and GI specialists, none of them have professional experience nursing or probably any extensive learning in the area) I have consulted about Teddy's gas and trouble popping have assured me that it is few and far between that they find a baby with actual food sensitivities or allergies. In fact, In my nursing community, I only know of 1 baby with a diagnosed sensitivity.

But, none the less, where there is trouble it's the nursing mamas fault! Sad, really because as nurturing moms we kind of already wrongly feel this way ( a natural instinct, i guess). If people don't understand how breast feeding works then they shouldn't offer advice that could potentially and unnecessarily mess with a milk mamas head! I called the doctor one time because there was black stingy looking things in Teddy's poop. He was 4 months old and exclusivley breast fed at the time. The nurse's response: "Oh your breast feeding?-well everything you eat gets passed onto him, maybe it's something you ate?" Yes, trusted doctors office nurse the black stringy things passed through my bloodstream into Teddy's poop!!! Seriously!

I once read that no one every questions what the cow ate when formula fed babies have problems:) Just Saying!
Jamie nursing mama to Teddy Jax, 7 months

2 comments:

  1. I'm assuming I'm the one person with the sensitivity...and that was only diagnosed because of skin indicators, not digestive ones. And it took me insisting repeatedly to the pediatrician that something was wrong. Amazing though, when we did begin to investigate this allergy the allergist himself ( a pediatrician also) was shocked that at 5 months, Jack was still exclusively breastfed. He kept asking...are you sure he's only ever had breastmilk? Then as he commended my efforts, he commented that pediatricians don't give enough support or correct information to women because they just don't have the experience in lactation issues. He went on to offer supportive advice as I navigated a new diet.

    During follow up visits he continued to be shocked that Jack was still breastfeeding and I was able to cut out the allergens from my diet. While I appreciate the kudos, I felt bad for the women who are told that they must switch to formula because their children are allergic to their milk. One woman told me her doctor told her because of her son's allergies and what would need to be removed from her diet, her son would be getting breast milk that had no nutritional value! The misinformation is heartbreaking.

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  2. Yes that would be you! It is so sad to me that there is such a common lack of support and misinformation given out by pediatricians and their nurses. I had soo many bad experiences with nurses being completely uneducated in the subject:( Waaay too many woman out there are not getting the support and information they need to be successful at nursing their baby. I hope this blog will prevent at least one woman from ending her nursing journey too soon due to misinformation or lack of support!!!

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