Hear One, Do One, Teach One

Someone once told me the best way to learn something is to remember to "hear one, do one, and teach one".  The more I think about that one simple statement, the more sense it makes.  Now don't get me wrong, I still have LOTS to learn, but thankfully I have lots of kiddos still living at home and they do a great job of teaching me all about life.  As I think about my life's path leading me to this breast feeding business, I realize just how much "hear one, do one, and teach one" has helped me.  Hopefully, this awesome education will help me help you as you travel down your breast feeding path.
    Hear one:
I was raised among a family of breast feeders.  My grandmother's breast fed their babies. And when their daughters became mothers, they taught them to breastfeed their babies.  So I was always around a breastfeeding mother, whether it was an aunt, cousin, or my own mother.  It was not only natural, it was normal. They never tried to hide breastfeeding from me and therefore, I really wasn't that curious. As a child, I don't remember watching anyone breastfeed, because it wasn't that interesting to me.  They were just feeding their baby.  Big deal!  I had acres of fields and creeks to play in and that is exactly where I spent most of my childhood.  
    As I grew older, and decidedly had to pretend to be a grown up, the day came that I became a mother myself.  Following in the footsteps of the mothers before me, I knew I would breastfeed.  There was no choice or decision in it at all.  That's how women feed babies.  That's what our bodies are designed to do.  That's the healthiest choice for baby and I was going to be the perfect mother.  She would grow up to be the most sheltered, cared for baby in the world. (Quit giggling, she was my first.  Now a broken nose, dislocated elbow, chicken pox scars and plenty of tears, bumps and bruises later, I realize perfect mother does not equal good mother).  
     Do one:
 What my babyies taught me about breast feeding could fill volumes, some of it can be found in breastfeeding books all over book stores every where.  Some of it I had to learn myself, and you won't find it in the books, but thankfully I had really great teachers.
What my babies taught me:
Abbi - She was a natural nurser.  She wanted to eat every 3 hours (Not every 4 like the books about putting baby on a schedule had warned me never to veer away from).  My breasts would be larger, harder, and more tender than ever before.  My nipples would crack, and bleed.  And for the first 10 seconds of every nursing session, I would be digging my fingernails into the arm of my chair while I waited for the pain to subside.

Does she look like I starved her?

Alli-  I didn't know what an easy baby was until Allison arrived.  She taught me that some babies want to eat every 1 1/2 to 2 hours.  Some babies prefer one breast over the other.  She taught me that a nursing session can only last 7 minutes and baby can get exactly what she needs to be a rollie pollie healthy girl.  She taught me that breasts don't have to crack or bleed while breastfeeding.  She also, taught me about plugged milk ducts.  Whew! that was a lesson I have never forgotten.
Hannah: She taught me how to multitask.  For the first 18 months of Hannah's life she was on my left hip or in my arms 24 hours a day.  Yes, we co-slept; (I know, I know) yes, I had angry aunts and grandmas when Hannah screamed for me the minute I handed her off; yes, my left biceps were noticeably larger than my right. With Hannah it didn't matter how often or how long she nursed because I wasn't allowed to put her down anyway.
Hayden:  He taught me that a boy with a beautiful smile, will always melt your heart.  Even when they are biting.  Even when they are participating in a full on nursing strike.  He also taught me that it is okay to ask questions even if you know it all because you have grown up in a family of breast feeders and nursed four babies of your own.

See....the smile does it every time!

     Teach one:
When Hayden was about 6 months old, I became the Breast Feeding Peer Counselor for the Health Dept.  My job was to interact, support, and encourage breastfeeding women like me. I could take my baby with me and nurse whenever necessary.  How hard could it be?  I had certainly done my share of breastfeeding.  
     Well, I found out quickly, what I did not know.  My kids never taught me about thrush, yeast infections, low milk supply, tongue-tie, blebs, or lactose sensitivities.  They didn't teach me how to use an electric hospital grade pump or how to return to work and continue working.   They didn't teach me how quickly breastfeeding can get you down.  They really took it pretty easy on me and I was successful because although determined to breastfeed, I did not have a lot of obstacles to overcome with my own breastfeeding experience.
     I was left in good hands, though.  Thanks to all of you that have come to me with breastfeeding questions and concerns.  I have learned so much and in my effort to help you, you have taught me so much.  I now feel confident to answer questions or find answers to concerns as my new nursing mamas come to me.  Thank you all for being such great teachers and helping me learn how to help you.

~T