I'm a soloist. Always have been really. I like to do things myself, my own way, in my own time. It may or may not be the "popular" thing but it's me and it's what I do.SIDENOTE: And I wonder where Aedyn gets it from!?!?!
I am also an information addict. I would be enrolled in some form of class or program all the time if I had the money and enough hours in the day.
So you might guess that I'm not the biggest support group type person. I tend to get frustrated easily with people who have pat or textbook answers to questions and I get impatient trying to hold back all the knowledge and tidbits I've absorbed in all my research, reading, and Googling.
I admit I don't know everything. And honestly, that's why I go to La Leche League. I rarely go with questions because I've killed the internet looking for answers. I go to hear other mom's stories. To pick up on things that might help someone on Twitter or Facebook and conversely things I learn from my tweeps and blogs I pass on in real life.
Maybe that's why it's a support group and not a class. It's not all about learning new things and answering questions (even though that is part of it), it's about being there for each other, hearing stories, venting frustrations, and celebrating successes. Finding strangers who may become friends, smiling faces that are willing to listen and to talk.
Do you need a village then? On a physical level, maybe yes, maybe no. I successfully nursed Aedyn through problems without any sort of group, although I wonder if I had been in a support group it might have gone smoother at the beginning. But emotionally...
Emotionally, I really do think a village is vital. Maybe it's family members, maybe anybody but family members. A general breastfeeding support group, or a La Leche League group. Find someone who helps you feel sane, who reminds you that even though it may be difficult and frustrating, this too shall pass. You'll both be better for it.
Your local hospital may have contact information for Breastfeeding Support Groups in your area. You can visit La Leche League International for a directory of meetings in your area.
Where's your favorite place to get support? Facebook, Twitter, Family, Groups?
This is part of the Breastfeeding Blog Hop hosted by Life with Levi, The Slacker Mom, and Diary of a Devil Dog Wife. Check out some of the other posts in the hop and link up your own!
While you're here, check out and enter the FuzziBunz OS Cloth Diaper Giveaway ending Oct 18!
