Share Your Story
For some women breastfeeding comes naturally, but for others it is a learning experience that may present challenges. It can be comforting to know that sometimes another person's experience can help shape your own. Whether you are the first person in your family to breastfeed or everyone you know breastfeeds, learning the appropriate skills and connecting with people to support you is helpful.
Read these stories below to find support, encouragement, and to learn more about Breastfeeding Services at Penn Ob/Gyn Care.
Please note that the Penn Medicine web site offers general medical information only and is not intended to provide medical advice for individual people. For personal health problems, you should seek advice from your health care professional.
Serena's Story:
I wasn't going to breastfeed. Nobody in my family did and neither did my girlfriends. I just didn't think about it. But then my water broke when I was only 7 months pregnant. And my baby was born so small, it was scary. The doctors from the NICU told me that my milk was important for the baby, and to me, that was enough. The nurses and the lactation consultants got me started pumping. Pumping is no fun at all, but I felt kind of good because I knew I was doing something important for my baby. They said my milk was like medicine for him, so I wanted him to have it.
The lactation consultants helped me to get a pump from my insurance company to use at home, and I pumped a lot. When I was at the hospital, I got to hold my baby, Donovan, skin to skin. They called it kangarooing and I loved it. My baby loved it, too. They fed him my milk through a tube while I held him close. After a while, he was ready to nurse a little bit and I felt so good. It was an amazing connection. Donna, the lactation consultant who works in the NICU, kept helping me keep up my milk supply and helped Donovan learn to nurse from me. She was great and so nice.
When Donovan got to go home, it was a happy day for me. I kept pumping for a few more weeks while he kept getting stronger and bigger and nursing better. When I was done with the pump, I was so glad. So now I am a huge fan of breastfeeding. Donovan hasn't been sick or anything, and he is so smart already. I tell all my girlfriends to give it a try because they just might like it. I tell them that the nurses and the lactation consultants at the hospital will help them. And I will, too!
Chrissy's Story:
I was totally focused on getting through labor. I went to all the classes, did prenatal Yoga, read all the books, and even hired a doula! I thought that breastfeeding would be the easy part! But then I ended up having to have a C-section. My baby had to spend a few hours in the nursery, and then I felt awkward and afraid of my incision when holding my little girl. The nurses helped me with positions that worked with Cesarean moms and encouraged me, but Chloe wasn't latching on consistently. The lactation consultants were great, teaching me ways to learn Chloe's feeding signs, letting me know what was normal, and helping me with latch. They really encouraged me to hold her skin-to-skin, which they told me was the natural place for her and where she would know what to do. It worked!
We hit a few bumps in the road along the way after we went home. We called the hospital's Breastfeeding Warmline, and the lactation consultants always called me back. They knew how to answer my questions and keep me going. I also went to the Breastfeeding Mothers’ Support Group at the hospital every week. I lived for Monday afternoons! I met a lot of other moms and made friends that I know will be friends for a long time. Thanks, Pennsylvania Hospital, for all of the help you give breastfeeding moms!
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