Breastfeeding Support: It's More Than Just A Good Bra

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While every breastfeeding mum should have a comfortable supportive bra, the need for support doesn't end there. Mums need emotional support from friends and family (or even strangers--hopefully non-creepy ones) to start or continue doing one of the hardest jobs they will have as a parent.

Last year I wrote a post about this subject. At the time, I was on month 19 of successfully nursing my daughter (Danger Baby) after many struggles with supply issues, and a failed attempt to nurse my first daughter (The Angry Midget.) I know that I would not have made it that far without the support of my husband, doula, midwife, and many friends who while they might not have always known what to say, they were always there to listen when I needed to just "cry it out."

Danger Baby is now 2 1/2 years old, and still nursing. That's 31 months of nursing. Sure, it's not as much now as in the beginning, but she still needs her nursies when she gets up in the morning, before naps or bed, and if she needs comfort.

I know that her nursing days will be coming to an end soon, so I try to enjoy the moments we have together. Sometimes that's difficult. She doesn't always pick the most opportune times to need her comfort, and I sometimes find myself telling her, "Not right now." But then there are the times when she is about to latch and she pauses to say, "Yummy! That's good stuff!" or just gives me that happy girl smile and snuggles in for sme quiet mommy/boobie time.

That's the magic of nursing. That's why support is so important, so that wonderful, magical relationship can have a chance. If your partner/spouse, family, or friends aren't being supportive, look outside that circle. Who knows, you might make some new and lifelong friendships.

One of the great things about time and the internet is that as one passes, the other grows. There are lots of online support resources. The La Leche League probably being the most well known one, but there are so many others. For example, Dr Jack Newman and lactation consultant Edith Kernerman are the creators of the resources found at Breast Feeding Inc's site. Facebook can also be a good place to go to find support groups or meetings for nursing mums in your area.

If you are struggling, reach out. If something seems wrong, if it's painful, if your baby doesn't seem to be satisfied after a feeding, if you are getting stares from the creepy guy in the park or the horrified Hippster on the train, hop on Facebook or Google and find a local support group. Here's one I found just with a quick search on Facebook: Long Eaton Yummy Mummies Breastfeeding Support. I'm from the US, so I'm not even sure if that is in the UK, but it seemed to be. And here's the National Breastfeeding Peer Support Group UK's page on Facebook.

The help, support, and resources are out there, you just have to reach out to them.

Would you like to read more about breastfeeding? Check out these great blogs for more information:

Mama Geek

Faded Seaside Mama

Milk Machine Mum

Breast 4 Babies

The Secret Life of Kate

And for more information about the Keep Britain Breastfeeding Scavenger Hunt, you can check out the Facebook page here, or go to the website here.

There are many great companies giving away all kinds of yummy things for this year's Hunt. One of them is Truly Hooked.

Not only has Verity donated items to the Hunt, she will also be doing a special giveaway with me where you can win additional items. Watch for my post on Friday for more info and your chance to win!

Now, I bet you'd like a chance to win some of these FANTASTIC prizes to help you on your journey as a breastfeeding superstar!

You can enter the Keep Britain Breastfeeding Scavenger Hunt here:

a Rafflecopter giveaway