I have been meaning to post about the short surveys the teen moms did after
I talked to them last month.  When I got back from Ocracoke, the surveys
were in the office. It was interesting to note what the teens  mentioned.
They said they were surprised to know that babies were sick a lot less, and
that breast size didn't matter. Every one mentioned that they didn't know
that if they obtained formula from WIC, they still were going to have to buy
some of it. All of them said they were planning to breastfeed!  Even the
outspoken one who was so negative wrote that she was going to do it for at
least two weeks. I was pleased with that.

I also forgot to mention in the original post was that I told them that
there was one thing they had to have in order to successfully
breastfeed-maturity.  I told them that maturity had nothing to do with age,
and that at 15 they could be more mature than a 30 year old as far as
breastfeeding goes. They just need to be mature enough to put the baby's
needs first for a while.  They all got wide eyed at that one.  I imagine
they all like to think of themselves as mature.

The 15 year old mom who came with me to speak to the class also came to our
support group last week. Baby nursing and doing great.  Her own mom is
amazed and proud.  Grandma never imagined that her 15 year old could do so
well with breastfeeding and responsibility for the baby. I think she
imagined herself having to take all responsibility. Instead she hardly gets
her hands on him!

Ann Calandro,RNC,IBCLC
Piedmont Medical Center
Rock Hill, SC

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