I always knew I'd breastfeed my third child. After all, I'd breast fed my older two children until they were 5 mos old. I knew that breastfeeding provides the best nutrition for an infant and provides antibodies to protect the baby against illness and allergies. And I knew that the breastfeeding relationship between mother and child is unique and irreplaceable. What I didn't know, is that, along with finding even more reasons for breastfeeding, I'd find a new way to advocate for my needs and the needs of my child.

It all started innocently enough. I was spending my maternity leave on the computer exploring the Internet when I stumbled upon the Breastfeeding Support Bulletin Board at ParentsPlace.com. My son was five weeks old and a squirmy eater. Six other women on the bulletin board had experienced the same thing and many had advice to give - switching sides, walking and nursing, burping the baby. What I heard over again was "It's nice to know I am not the only one with this problem." I was hooked! I read on and learned about increasing milk supply, birth control options while breastfeeding, mastitis, breastfeeding in public, the importance of breastfeeding for at least the first year, pumping and storing breastmilk, and other issues related to breastfeeding. Two weeks later, after corresponding with more than 50 breastfeeding women, I wrote, sadly, that I had given my baby his first bottle of formula in preparation for my going back to work. A wonderful woman responded with a post titled, "It is possible to combine breastfeeding and work." She described how she expressed milk for her baby while at work and shared how "continuing to express milk made me feel that at least part of me was at home for him ! "

I made a decision then, to at least try to continue to breastfeed my son when I returned to work. Now I just had to figure out how to do it!! I posted several questions on the bulletin board and got many replies - which pump was best, when to pump, how to store breastmilk. Most importantly, I corresponded with so many women who were successfully continuing to breastfeed after returning to work that I became determined to do the same. I called the Family Network Breastfeeding Support volunteer who had contacted me shortly after my son was born. Lynn was very encouraging and let me know where I could rent a breast pump and that the Family Network would soon have their own pump to loan.

Now, as I prepare to return to work in just a few weeks, I don't feel as sad as I did before. With expressed milk stored in the freezer, I feel confident that I am providing my baby with the best possible nourishment while I'm gone and I can look forward to those quiet breastfeeding moments when I return from work each night.

Every nursing mother can be a breastfeeding activist. Success stories make breastfeeding easier for others. Share your success. Take a stand for healthy children - breastfeed your children and support nursing mothers!

Breastfeeding links: (coming soon)

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