I was a bottle baby and never saw any one breastfeed. My mother died of
breast cancer when I was 10, so I always had an assumption that my
breasts would be "inadequate."  When I got pregnant, I read some
material about breastfeeding and it's wonders and woes, but I didn't
make a firm decision.  As a matter of fact, when I went into the
hospital the labor nurse asked if I planned to bottle or breastfeed, and
even then I didn't know!
I had a terrible birth experience--not what I was wanting *at all*,
complete with pit, demerol, *and* an epidural (which worked wonderfully
on my right leg from the knee down). When the nurse handed me my son I
just felt compelled to put him to breast.  He nursed fairly well in the
hospital but by day three, he was still sleepy, my nipples were
deteriorating rapidly due to poor latch, etc.  If only I knew then what
I know now :(
I was at wits end--this close to throwing in the towel.  I remembered
hearing about a lactation consultant in my birth class and decided to
call.  After lots of questions and lots of coaching we finally got the
hang of it.  My (and my husband's) entire view of parenting changed that
day.  I can honestly say that my bond with my son and my parenting style
is directly attributed to Linda Pohl, IBCLC, Phoenix, Arizona. To her I
can never express enough gratitude -- she gave me the ticket to a
fantastic experience!
-- Kim
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Kimberly Elms
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Arizona State University
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