Hi Auntie, I’m going to be a teen mom and I’ve heard good and bad things about breastfeeding. I’m a bit nervous. I don’t know what to expect?
Breastfeeding is very personal to most moms.
As you get closer to your due date, you can expect to hear of all the benefits of breastfeeding from your health care provider. The American Pediatric Association (APA) recommends infants be exclusively breastfed until they are 6 months and they want you to continue breastfeeding until one year. This is the best case scenario.
Some moms and babies hit it off from the start to the end with no problems. Others have challenges. You’ll likely find yourself somewhere on this spectrum. Whatever happens with you and your babes, is your journey. Try to embrace it.
Have some goals in mind, like working towards the APA’s recommendations. If you have goals in mind, this will be helpful when you talk to folks about it. You can expect to talk to a lactation nurse once you’ve delivered, so make sure to ask questions and have someone write down the answers. Giving birth, exhaustion, and hormones will help you forget pretty quickly.
If you have challenges or need support, reach out!
- I found resources like Kellymom to be incredibly helpful.
- I also called Breastfeeding Helplines numerous times with my first baby
- Breastfeeding USA has a list of locations in your State.
- Check with your Tribal Office.
- Office of Women’s Health is another great resource.
I think you’ll find that most moms (and dads) are willing to help you with advice. Being boobs out in public is weird at first, well, to be honest it was for me most of the time, but babies gotta eat and formula is expensive!
Know there will be ups and downs and that’s okay. Lean on your family and community for support. Go mama!
Auntie Manda
