Your "Breast" Friend: Real Life Breastfeeding Experience to Empower You During Your Breastfeeding Journey

By Jennifer Halliburton

Your "Breast" Friend is the breastfeeding book you have been waiting for... It's as comfortable as a conversation with your best friend about what breastfeeding is really like. Jennifer uses her own personal experience, the experiences of others, extensive research on the subject, and advice from her own medical professionals to present to you a book that gives you not only the essentials of breastfeeding, but does so in a manner that is non-judgmental of each person's final decision on this matter. Whether you breastfeed one day, one week, or one year; this book has much for you to gain.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Lulu.com
• Release date: Apr 12, 2011
• ISBN: 9781257581641

Book preview

you!!!

Welcome

Hey there, girl!!! How are you doing?? Oh, and don’t you just look great!!! So, how far along are you now? Oh, yes, I remember those days!! I pity you and envy you all at the same time. I’m so excited for you!!! CONGRATULATIONS!!! You are going to have a baby.

So, come on in and sit down with me, I hear you’ve got a few questions about breastfeeding, and I am so excited that you’ve chosen ME to help you out!!!

Now, let me first say that I am by no means an expert in this area. I’m just a mother that has been there, done that, and have gained a bit of knowledge that I’m more than happy to pass on to any and all of my friends.

That’s why I’m here, you know. I’ve been asked by so many friends that were interested in what my secrets to success were where breastfeeding is concerned that I decided to bottle it all up in a book so that I can be there to help all my friends at the times when they actually need me.

See, I’ve learned that ONE—knowledge is certainly power, but TWO—nothing beats first-hand experience. So, all that means is that I, or even a real-life trained breastfeeding professional, could tell you everything we know about breastfeeding; but it’s still not going to stick with you very well until you’re actually right there in the middle of it all. So, since I’ve got a feeling that I’m probably not going to be there with you when you’re first latching on your precious little newborn (though I certainly would if I could), you can take my knowledge with you and whip it out right when you need it. So, in a way, I will be there. YAY!!! I can’t wait, and I know you can’t either!!!

Well, we can still chat now while we are waiting for the big moment, and then when the time arrives we can get right to the points that you will really be interested in at that time.

So, let me say now, incase I forget later, GOOD LUCK, GIRL!!! Oh, I know you’re gonna do great!!

Terminology (a.k.a. Crash Course)

Since the purpose of my book is not to fully acclimate you to ALL the ins and outs of breastfeeding, it was written under the assumption that you are coming in with some basic knowledge and terminology already in mind. My husband convinced me that, though he liked the flow of the book, adding a quick lead-in with commonly used terms and phrases may be helpful to ensure we are all on the same page. I agreed, so here’s your chance to cram like you did before one of those big tests in high school, or just refresh if you did happen to study beforehand. Enjoy!!

*Note: Not all of the terminology listed has been used in this book. This is meant to best prepare you for what is included in the book, and what you most likely will hear in breastfeeding related discussions.

How Is This Book Different and What Makes It Valuable To You

Everyone has an opinion for every aspect of babies. Whether it be getting pregnant (as in—when to or when not to), pregnancy experiences, pregnancy weight gain, boy or girl, natural childbirth vs. c-section, whose labor was the worst, and so much more.

If you have ever been in the childbearing business, you know exactly what I’m talking about. Everyone has an opinion, and everyone feels it is their right and duty to inform you of it.

Breastfeeding is one of the big topics that inevitably come up. It really doesn’t matter what you choose to do, because I believe that the same person that will tell you how awful breastfeeding is when you tell them that you are choosing to try it, will also be the person that will condemn you as the world’s worst mother if you choose not to try it. I am not sure why, but it seems to be human nature to disagree. Conversations are more interesting that way, I guess.

Well, of course, I have an opinion as well, but I am not sharing it just so the world finally knows the RIGHT way to feed babies. Instead, I want to bring encouragement in an area that I feel is lacking. The encouragement isn’t for breastfeeding. (How strange, since that will be the main topic?) It is for the choice to breastfeed.

Did you catch that? Yeah, it kind of sounds puh-tay-toe, puh-tah-toe, doesn’t it? I actually see a difference, though, and I’m about to explain it to you.

Here’s what I mean by choice to breastfeed…

I’m not here to sway your opinion either way on this subject. Okay? All I want to do is help give you as much information as I can so that you can make the best possible choice for you and your baby.

So, if you choose to breastfeed your baby, then YAY, I’ll be here to help you out the best I can. And, if you choose NOT to breastfeed your baby; then breathe a huge sigh of relief because the decision is made.

So, mothers, PLEASE don’t get hung up on this small motherhood decision. Make it as easy as possible for you and your baby. Because I know, even if in my own motherhood experience I have not lived it yet, there are much more important life-changing decisions that will need to be made. Save up your worries for those moments.

And to all of those who disagree with your decision, let’s stop questioning each others’ position on this matter and just remember that in the end we are all just moms trying to dothe best we can with what we know. We moms need to stick together and help support each other.

I’m sure that you’re already starting to figure out that EVERYTHING about motherhood is difficult. And I don’t know about you, but I’ve certainly needed (and still need) all the help I could get. None of us are going to experience the same things in motherhood so let’s join together and use our combined knowledge to raise a great generation to come.

Hopefully, even if you choose that breastfeeding isn’t for you, the message conveyed in this book will encourage you in other ways; and possibly bring a bit of humor if nothing else. But, especially for those of you who do decide to breastfeed I hope you will realize that you can be successful.It is all about you and what you want.

GOOD LUCK in whatever you decide to do!!!

About Me

At this point in my life, I am a mom of two beautiful boys, and I’ve been blessed with two great and unique breastfeeding experiences that have provided me with a lot of information that may be helpful to you.

My first baby was breastfed for 13 months. He is now four years old and would probably prefer to still be breastfeeding. For me, breastfeeding made my first year of motherhood so much easier. I am not sure how I would have gotten through, had I not breastfed him. He loves me, but he still has a very independent spirit. Also with this experience, breastfeeding helped retrieve some of what I felt I was losing since I was a working mother. Breastmilk was something that only Icould provide for him. Not to mention that because I was pumping three times a day at work, it kept me focused on the most important position that I will ever hold.

My second son was breastfed for 14 months, and it was so shocking to me how truly different my experiences were. With my second I was a stay-at-home mom, so it was just an on-demand feeding system. But, I also had a toddler to chase after, so that surely added some interesting moments to the mix.

All in all, I have so many positives memories of breastfeeding that I am so thankful to have experienced. Seriously, I don’t think I could have made it this far into my motherhood role without breastfeeding. It really did simplify things so much for me.

Now, I