Tuesday, May 26, 2009

Supporting the tatas.

So you've made the choice to breastfeed your youngling. Great. One of the first things you need to think about, then, is how you plan to make sure the tatas are supported. Before you run out and buy a good quality and well fitting nursing bra, there is another kind of support you need to get under control.
Emotional support.
Find out how your family feels about breastfeeding. Did your mom breastfeed you? Does your DH support the idea? Talk to your family and friendas about their feelings on breastfeeding, find out what their experiences and expectations are.
Now, when you find out that your DH thinks its great so long as you don't do it in public, and that your mom is grossed out by the notion, and that your best friend thinks its only for women in National Geographic, listen to their underlying messages and concerns, and try, this is the hard part, try not to get discouraged or angry.
Instead, take you newfound wealth of information and figure out who already supports you in your choice, maybe a friend or aunt, and then find out what resources are availae to you, like the lactation counselor at the hospital, your doula or midwife, the local WIC program, and if you're lucky to strike breastfeeding gold, your local La Leche League. But don't stop there. Take your concerns about the less than supportives in your life to these other resources and see if they have information you could use to educate your lpved ones. Join a support group. Go to the Kellymom website, find online support if that's your thing, but make sure your tatas are well supported so that when you go pick out that supportive nursing bra, your biggest concern is fit and style, not how your family and friends will make you feel wearing it. Goodluck.

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