Hi Diane and all,
I had an easy time with breastfeeding with all three of my kids. (now  
24, 22, and 20). Such an interesting question that I have thought of  
many times as I work with struggling moms.

My own mother died a just a year before my first was born, so I never  
really got to ask her all the questions I wanted to. However, I was an  
OB nurse for 3 years before my first was born. When my first was born,  
there was not even a question in my mind. There was only one way to  
feed a baby. The longer I worked there the more awkward and cold it  
looked to bottle feed and the warmer and more content it looked to  
breasteed. I can't fully explain it but the vision was almost palpable  
to me.  In general, the breastfeeding moms just looked so much more  
together and in sync with their babies. Moms stayed a lot longer in  
the hospital back then so I really got to see lots of babies with the  
drunken sailor look of satiety lying on their mothers breasts.

Yes, of course there were the moms with troubles back then too. There  
were no lactation consultants so as a young nurse, I was just happy  
when those dyads went home, because I for one really didn't know how  
to help them back then!


I think the thing that helped me learn, was watching so many other  
mothers breastfeed. Some mothers looked so comfortable lying in their  
beds (or sitting in their chairs)...it just looked effortless. I'm  
sure unconsciously I learned there posture, the way they held their  
babies etc. while I was taking care of them. I think too it also makes  
a BIG difference in the fact that I was so comfortable handling  
newborns by the time I had my first.

Gail Macklin RN BSN IBCLC
Lactation Consultant
New Mother New Baby
Dundee Pharmacy
2750 Dundee Road
Northbrook, IL 60062
847-480-1000
Fax: 847-272-4008
www.newmothernewbaby.com
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