Your Stories - The Masse Family

"Dad, Graziella & Jennifer" ~ a Masse Family Story

When I was pregnant, I had a friend who encouraged me to breastfeed my child.  She nursed her son until he was 2.  She truly inspired me.

I had a rough delivery... 2 weeks late, induced for 4 days, and finally, a c-section. After all that, I had a beautiful baby girl.  I was in recovery for 2 hours and thought I would miss that 2 hour window of opportunity to get Graziella to latch on.

The minute I was in my own room, I attempted to nurse.  She latched on immediately.  She stayed latched, it seemed, for the 4 days I was in the hospital.  My nipples were raw and blistered...

I got some special bandages for my nipples from the lactation consultant.  My milk came in the day I was scheduled to leave and home we went.

Nursing was so painful for me.  I just kept thinking of my friend who said it takes 6 weeks sometimes for the nursing to go smoothly (it took almost 4 months for us).  I had Aurelia, a lactation consultant, visit me at home and she was so kind to call me at home later to be sure I was doing okay.  Aurelia was a great help and she suggested the Breastfeeding Support Group at Mills Peninsula to me.  Graziella was 12 days old and I found a way to get the Breastfeeding Support Group at Mills-Peninsula Hospital run by Sheila Janakos.  I started to attend the support group on a regular basis because I could not get rid of the pain.  I never stopped nursing.  I just hung in there. 

At the support group I met a wonderful group of women and their children.  One of the Mothers invited me to join a playgroup.  We all met at the support group and at our homes weekly.  These women are now my best friends.  Not only have they supported me through everything (nipple pain for 4 months, low milk production, digestive problems with my baby girl, etc.), but they continue to inspire me to continue nursing Graziella. 

Here we are now and our babies are turning 1.  I am still nursing through it all.  Graziella is a beautiful, healthy, intelligent child.
She is walking and just a happy toddler.  Thanks to the special women in my life, my friend Diedra, the Playgroup Moms, and Sheila and her lactation consultants.   I have given my Graziella a healthy start in life.  I would do it all over again.  The joy I get from holding my very active toddler for those brief moments when she nurses fills my heart.                     

-Jennifer Masse  xoxoxo

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