You know, breastfeeding has been such a big part of my life that it is a
constant topic of discussion around our house. Our dinner table
conversations are often about a new study I've read, or something I saw on
Lactnet, or a new experience I had in helping a mother (last week - a baby
with hydrocephalus) or just my frustration at the lack of help some mothers
have experienced. We have the beautiful INFACT posters up in my office and
the downstairs bathroom (the downstairs one is the bathroom visitors use, so
that usually starts some conversations too). We talk about birth and
parenting, too, all the time.

When my children have brought home people they are dating, it is inevitable
that these topics will come up (they ask about the posters if nothing else,
or they ask what I do). After years of discussions, my kids are as
passionate about these topics as I am.

All this to say that I have not been good at all at being a "low-key, don't
interfere" mother-in-law or grandmother. When my daughter-in-law became
pregnant, we spent many hours discussing the pregnancy, birth and other
plans. They had planned to give birth in my home, with the midwives, but
because the baby was premature they had to go to the hospital. When she went
into labour, I was the first person they called, and we went to the hospital
together. I was supporting her leg as she pushed the baby out, and I helped
her hand-express colostrum for him as soon as he was born. It was a great
joy for me to be part of this, and I don't know how I could have "held
back." Sebastian is now 18 months old and still nursing.

I am impressed by those of you who are able to be more restrained. Perhaps
with a different daughter-in-law my involvement might have been more of a
problem. I am overjoyed, though, that it has worked out so well.

When my daughter-in-law was pregnant, at one family gathering she said "what
will we do if I am one of that small percentage of women who really doesn't
produce enough milk?" My son immediately responded "Oh, don't worry, my Mom
will re-lactate."

Teresa Pitma
Guelph, Ontario

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