Thinking of Breastfeeding For the First Time

As the arrival of my first child approached, honestly, I had not given any thought to breastfeeding or bottle feeding. I was just trying to get through the pregnancy. I lived with a dear college friend who was very supportive of me. My greatest  comfort was in  just being healthy and living in a calm and peaceful environment. She shared so many ‘mama pointers’, and I was happy to be around someone who cared about me especially during my pregnancy.

Days passed quickly, but seemed like forever. I went to my doctors appointments alone and that was ok.  On occasions while at my prenatal appointments I met the sweetest people who were so delighted that I arrived to the doctors safely, since I would alone. On one such day later in my pregnancy,I met Margaret. She was the clinics Midwife. She came up close and sat down right beside me. I read her name tag and asked about her profession which was midwifery. She gave a short general explanation and that was fine. I could understand that she did not have a whole lot of time to spend with me, as I was not her patient. But after her explanation, she shared with me why she felt that she needed to come over  a speak with me.

At first, I was a bit alarmed, wondering if I had sat in the wrong place or maybe I had done something that she didn’t like. However, I said nothing, just listened. Margaret went on to say, “I noticed that your legs are large”. I replied, my mom gave them to me. She then said, ” Oh, and they are fine legs indeed, but do you have problems with them, like leg cramps?”. Wow, this was amazing, and I shared that only of recent since I have been pregnant, when I do my morning stretch, ‘I GET THIS CHARLIE OF A HORSE AND It HURTS LIKE HECK’.  She smiled with an ahh and said, “I thought as much.” Then she asked if I were taking calcium and my response was no, just my prenatals. Margaret then went on to say that for some of her clients, she recommended that they take the calcium carbonate supplement with vitamin D to help with leg cramps, and she added that if I was considering breastfeeding, that it might be a good idea to continue taking so that I don’t become Calcium deficient as a result.   After our brief chat, I thanked her as she scooted off to see her next client. { Ummm, I had not even given breastfeeding a single thought, before she gave this suggestion.}

Though she was a sweet lady, I had to ask my doctor and he agreed it’s ok, but let him take a look at it before I begin to take anything. He gave me his “ok, you can take it”.

Months later in the pregnancy and on this day 30 years ago, my son, Michael was born. Shortly after his birth and all the commotion was done, I was taken from a birthing room to my stay room.  The attending nurse, brought in this machine gadget on a metal stand and said, this is a pump. I said, “what is it for” and she shared that it was to be used to help stimulate the breast milk for nursing.  Awww, and then she asked,” Oh, I’m sorry, aren’t you breastfeeding?” My response was being puzzled and a bit confused.  I thought back to the day of my prenatal appointment, the Midwife and two of my closest buddies in the world, Oneida & Pammy, both women who nursed all their babies.  Was she a nursing spy and were they part of her crew strategically placed? {Breastfeeding Mission Possible}. Tickled, I told the nurse that  I would  try the machine and see how it goes. This was my day one with breastfeeding,  and from Michael to six kids later, this has been my feeding mantra.  I understand that for some this breastfeeding thing is a bit scary, but I have not been one to be so easily frightened.

SO overall, and after many years of breastfeeding, and looking back, if you asked me when did I consider it, I would have to say, I did not give any consideration. There were many loving , non-apologizing professional people who were in my journey path that planted seeds towards my choice. Throughout the course of many years while breastfeeding and afterwards, I would become a lactation support person, mama buddy, doula, labor coach, medical health professional, and an executive director of a health clinic, but my passion for breastfeeding still lives on in Mommy Scrubbs . Happy Birthday Michael, 30 years ago you began my journey towards breastfeeding.

Kathy Hines Owner/ Creator

Mommy Scrubbs