Denise,
I feel for you and this poor mother.  There is nothing harder in our job than
supporting the mother who is at the end of her rope.  Sometimes all you can
do is cry with her and remind her that yes breastfeeding is very important
and encourage her all that you can that EVERY drop of mommy milk is
worthwhile, no matter how baby gets it.  It is important to have time to love
and enjoy your baby.  This is a part of our job too.  We KNOW how much this
means to this mom, how hard she has tried, how hard YOU have tried and little
baby too. Often, NO ONE else understands this.   A lactation nurse holds moms
hands through the good parts and the sad parts too.  We need to help mom feel
that she is a good mother and that her child is better off for her effort.  I
try to let mom know that I'll be there to help her as long as she wants and
when she says I can't do this anymore, too.

I remember these moms when we talk about formula feeding....We must always
remember that moms are trying to do the best they can....We'll never know how
hard they may have tried at breastfeeding.

Linda Rosetti RN,IBCLC
Clarkston, Wa.
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