Not Just Best, Normal

Well, as is the case with many LC’s, my interest in the profession began with a very difficult start with my first baby. I had an incredibly difficult and trying pregnancy in which I endured 10 weeks of bedrest and found out that my unborn child would need life saving surgery right after being born. She came four weeks early due to complications of my preeclampsia and had surgery at around 18 hours old. We spent four weeks in the NICU and had one more surgery before being able to come home. She was almost two weeks old before we ever even got to try to nurse at breast and by then she had had many many pacifiers and artificial nipples. I was “blessed” with flat nipples that nowhere resembled what she was already used to sucking on so she was a little ineffective at breastfeeding. I had already been pumping every 2-3 hours ’round the clock so as to provide her with my milk so I continued that while trying to get her to breast.I had always known I would breastfeed my children but after such a rough pregnancy and first month, and not knowing what I was doing, I felt a little broken. I would offer the breast, she would refuse. I was given a nipple shield and SNS to use each time I tried to nurse her. She was at least taking my milk at my breast but still I felt broken, like I couldn’t feed my baby “normally”. We continued on that way for about another month and a half and then I got mastitits. Things really unraveled from there.

I made many tearful phone calls to my LC from the NICU. She and I had become friends and I really looked up to her and trusted in her. She even gave me her home phone number! I struggled and stressed and was running out of perseverance. I finally came to the gut-wrenching conclusion that I would just exclusively pump my milk for my baby. If she wouldn’t nurse at the breast, she was still going to get my milk! So, I continued pumping every 2 to 3 to 4 hours depending on the time of day, ’round the clock. I would wake up to feed my baby and then pump after finishing with her so I would have milk for the next feeding. I was exhausted but what else was I going to do? I had made a commitment and I wasn’t going to fail at this.

I continued to stay in contact with my LC and give her updates on how we were doing. She was always encouraging and friendly. At around 5 months of age, my daughter finally latched on to my bare nipple and nursed for about 10 minutes! We had been working together throughout all those months in a very laid back way while I kept my supply protected by pumping. I had been trying a method with her called “re-birthing”. We were in the bath together and suddenly she lunged forward and latched herself onto my breast! It was heaven for me!

I made one more visit to my LC to see if we could finally get this thing together. We tried everything, every position, every coaxing measure, everything that might possibly entice her, but to no avail. She flat out refused. I resigned myself to just exclusively pumping. It was heart wrenching but I had no emotional reserves left to fight the battle. But, what I did have was a determination to learn all I could about breastfeeding and lactation and arm myself with information so that I would set myself up for success with my future babies.

I made a connection during that time of self-learning, that women in my area deserved to have someone locally to help them. I live in a small rural town an hour away from the nearest IBCLC. When you have a crying baby who won’t nurse, an hour is a long way to have to travel. I decided that I would be that person to be here in our community and serve the women who needed it most. But, where would I begin?

I called my LC and asked her, “how do I get started?” She referred me to another IBCLC who was in private practice who she thought could help me most. From her I got information about The Healthy Children Project’s Certified Lactation Counselor program. I had just found out we were expecting our second baby when I flew to Louisville, KY to take their 5 day course. I came home a CLC, a Certified Lactation Counselor. I should mention that I have a background in nursing. I have a BSN and have worked as an Emergency Room nurse for most of my career. This was a change for me but I work for an amazing hospital and they supported me in this change and provided me with a position at our hospital.

I began work as a CLC back in 2006 and worked on-call at our local hospital. I was also pursuing accreditation as a La Leche League Leader. I finally finished that process in the Fall of 2008 and then began work in that realm as well.

And now? Well, after many conferences, continuing education opportunities, prenatnal breastfeeding classes, La Leche League meetings and consults in the hospital and in homes, I have met my requirements for the eligibility pathway I qualify for. I will be eligible to sit for my exam this next July! So, here is the beginning for this blog: I am eligible and am starting to commence my studying and preparing for my exam.

I feel I should mention that I did go on to nurse our second child for 39 months and we weaned once I was already pregnant with our third baby who is due to be born this January.