I have lurked on lactnet for about two months now and have even posted a
couple of letters to you all.  But I have never really introduced
myself.  I am a mother of one (now 4 1/2 mo) and married (for over 3
years now).  I have breastfed my daughter since birth, even trudging
through all of the problems with her being in an NICU for 3 days, having
jaundice and also suffering from what the pediatrician thought was
esophageal reflux (no longer a problem, though).  No women in my family
ever breastfed so I had no influence or support there.  I guess I just
decided, with a lot of help from the man above, that bf was the right
thing to do for my daughter.

Since my daughter was born I have encountered many negative attitudes
toward bf.  About a month ago, though, I began attending LLL meetings.
What a sense of empowerment!  Now when I hear or see negative attitudes I
push just a little harder.  I will bf my daughter until she no longer
wants to, whatever age that may be.

On a more professional note (?), I am merely a bf mom and a nursing
student.  My goal originally was to become a ob, neonatal or ped nurse.
I may still go that direction.  But I am also now very interested in
becoming an LLL leader, LC, and so forth.  I want very much to be able to
help empower other women, just as I was empowered.

I hope that not being any of the above individuals (LLL leader, etc.)
doesn't disqualify me from being a subscriber to this list, since I learn
more here than I ever will in a year of nursing school.  Thanks for all
the help so far and hopefully in the future.

If there are any words of wisdom out there, feel free to send them my way.

Thanks
Stephanie Stewart
Future RN and LC
Mother of Heaven, age 4 1/2 mo (and yes she is a gift from Heaven!)