Debbie Pierce became a lactation consultant before most people knew what a lactation consultant was. After struggling to breastfeed her first baby, Debbie discovered a local branch of La Leche League, an international peer-to-peer support group for breastfeeding. Inspired by how La Leche League helped her with her second child, Debbie earned her lactation consulting certificate in 1986 and nursing degree in 1990 in order to help other moms on the breastfeeding journey.
Now, 35 years into her career, Debbie still loves coaching new parents and connecting them with La Leche League. Debbie reached out to Kate Copeseeley, the mother of two and a Chico La Leche League leader. Together, Kate and Debbie talked with North State Parent about the ways community shapes and supports the intimate bond between mothers and infants.
Lactation Consultant Debbie Pierce loves coaching new moms.
What misconceptions do new moms tend to have about breastfeeding?
Kate: Many moms are surprised by how long a baby takes to feed. Parenthood takes over your entire life; you don’t expect that at first and it can be really overwhelming. The idea is that you’re going to be like the lady in the movies who is breastfeeding and it’s so beautiful and natural. But it’s like any skill; the baby doesn’t know what to do and you don’t know what to do, and you’re learning it together. It’s a two-person journey.
Debbie: There’s so much education, information, support and “Dr. Google” that’s available, I believe there is a misconception that they have what they need independently. Then I often hear, “Oh my gosh, this is one of the hardest things I’ve ever done!” It certainly feels like that at the very beginning because, as Kate said, everybody’s learning. The baby’s the teacher and the teacher can’t talk!
How have changes in our culture affected breastfeeding?
Debbie: Today, apps and equipment are available to take the place of a parent’s arms and connection. We didn’t even have pumps in Chico until the ‘90s. Moms really counted on their bodies and people like a La Leche leader or consultant to support them with good information. Most moms now believe they need a pump and a breastfeeding pillow in order to succeed at breastfeeding, and that isn’t the case, but it’s such a cultural thing to use all these products. Part of it is that in the past, new moms weren’t allowed to go back to work, or they chose to be a one-income family. That’s not how it is now, so that’s a huge cultural change that has severely impacted the outcomes of breastfeeding.
Kate Copeseeley is the mother of two and a leader in Chico’s La Leche League, which provides support and encouragement in all areas of breastfeeding.
What is your advice for successful breastfeeding?
Kate:
1) Feed the baby. This is the advice of La Leche League and The Womanly Art of Breastfeeding, which is a great book and I highly recommend it for anyone. The thing that they always come back to is, “Feed the baby.” If you feel like your supply is low, feed the baby more. If you have a clogged duct, feed the baby on that side.
2) Hold the baby. Remember that this is a relationship. It’s not just giving the baby sustenance; it’s about connection with your child.
3) Form communities. Talk to other women and parents who are feeding. There’s no one-size-fits all for breastfeeding.
Debbie:
4) Trust. I think the most important thing I teach others is to trust. Turn off all the noise and trust the baby, trust yourself, trust nature.
5) Establish your support system. Reach out to La Leche League or a lactation consultant for help if needed– the earlier, the better.
6) Persevere. Human milk is wondrous, but the intimacy and bonding of the breastfeeding experience is truly special. The effort of the early days is worth it.
Are there times when breastfeeding just doesn’t work?
Kate: There are a variety of reasons it could work, but it can’t work in this situation. At La Leche League, our goal is to have compassion for these moms, who are already beating themselves up more than anyone else ever could. What they need from us is a space to vent their frustrations and come to terms with whatever decision they’re going to make. Many moms just need to say, “I’m frustrated by this, and this is hard,” and they need some encouragement!
Should COVID-positive moms continue breastfeeding?
Debbie: A COVID- positive mom should connect with her own and her baby’s health care providers. If she chooses to breastfeed, the concern is not that there is virus in the breastmilk, but rather that the virus could spread through respiratory droplets. Therefore, the advice is to wear a cloth mask and wash hands well before and after breastfeeding.
Kate: Your body provides antibodies for your baby. It’s called the entero mammary pathway; when you kiss, hold, or breastfeed your baby, their germs go into your own body and your body creates milk specifically for them that protects them. So, in addition to what Debbie said, La Leche League recommends continuing to breastfeed while COVID-positive.
Stevie Benedict and her four month old son, Krosley Weinreich.
What advice would you give partners of breastfeeding moms?
Kate: We get a lot of single moms whose parenting partner might be their mother or sister or cousin or best friend. Whoever that partner is, my advice is to encourage, encourage, encourage. Studies show over and over again that women who breastfeed are successful in their goals when they are encouraged by their supporting partner. They’re going to be up at 3am and that baby’s going to be crying, and they’re going to want to give up on breastfeeding. That’s when they need someone to say, “You can do this!”
Contact Kate and the Chico La Leche League:
http://www.facebook.com/groups/LLLofChico
(530) 487-4109 or lllofchico@gmail.com
Contact Debbie Pierce, RN, IBCLC at the office of Loeta Robles, DDS: (530) 893-8913.
La Leche League of Greater Redding, CA:
http://www.facebook.com/reddingcalalecheleague
Nancy (530) 247-7406
Kim (530) 524-1130
Jula (Bilingual Spanish) (539) 221-4720
Posted in: Birth and Toddlers, Health & Nutrition
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