Amy:

LCs DO see moms who give up . . . more than I'd like to, personally.  I have
to remind myself that I did my best and that I have possibly impacted her
future choices with future babies.  I also support moms by reminding them
that they've done so much by breastfeeding to help their baby and that they
are the mom and thus get to choose how to raise their children.  I believe
that as part of doing done all I can - I need to stop, listen and hear what
a mother is saying to me and respect her decisions.  Some moms call me as
their "last resort" and if I can't actually work magic for them in a certain
amount of time then it's over.

It's hard, it happens and I never feel good about it.  What I can feel good
about is that I've empowered a mother with clear, factual information and
support for her as a mom.  Then I cross my fingers and hope that maybe next
time it will work out for her or that she will make other choices.

I've also had mothers that I felt I didn't connect with very well for one
reason or another; they haven't answered my followup calls or returned my
messages and I am certain they have quit - only to get a call a few months
down the road asking a breastfeeding question and thanking me for helping
them through a rough spot.  These calls make me smile and remember to never
assume . . . :)

Mary Romskog IBCLC, RLC

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