I’m not sure what’s so funny… but until you’re a mother, you have no idea about the importance of what I’m talking about. -Me
Breastfeeding is taboo in the workplace… and today I tackled the subject like a linebacker during the state championship game. Don’t mess with Momma. The topic came up because the local hospital opened a Milk Depot – a breast milk donation bank for premature babies. The subject garnered lots of laughter.
Why on earth would there need to be a donation bank for breast milk? Who would let their child drink someone else’s milk? Why can’t the mother breastfeed her own baby? What… there’s a support group for breastfeeding? -Collegues
I looked around the room at who I was talking to: 2 baby boomers and 4 millennials. It’s time to get personal with you. What they don’t know is that I gave birth to a baby so big that the nurses said, “Congratulations, you gave birth to a 3-month old!” They don’t know that my milk didn’t come in right away; that we had problems latching or that a lactation nurse snatched a bottle of formula out of my baby’s mouth and threw it in the trash. I left the first support group that I attended in tears, after a new mother told me that I wasn’t trying hard enough.
My body ingested lots of water, lactation cookies and Mother’s Milk tea. I eventually found a group of supportive women who share stories, tips and sit in a circle… nursing without judgement. The new Mommies meet weekly at a church and populate a private group on Facebook. They understand the struggle and they offer advice. I wasn’t able to exclusively breastfeed. I went back to work full-time, but I squeezed out every last drop that I could for 6 whole months.
So, while it may sound funny that there are women out there who donate their breast milk — to a preemie, or adoptive parent, whatever — just know, there’s lots of love in that decision. And if you’ve been frustrated or fruitful at nursing your baby… good job Momma, just go with the flow.
August is National Breastfeeding Awareness Month. Doctors recommend donated breast milk be screened before baby’s consumption.
Stroller Full of Fun 