Breastfeeding is such a tricky, tricky business. Laden with so much poignancy, opinions, pain, blessings and emotion, I try to avoid discussing it like the plague. God forbid I add to any hurtful debate. Personally, I have been on all sides of this coin with my babies. I have had blissful, joyous experiences feeding them from my boobs, and I’ve had the doctor tell me I would have to admit myself to hospital to be lanced after my 3rd bout of raging mastitis in one month. I’ve had my breastfeeding efforts go incredibly smoothly, and I’ve wept in defeat for not being able to feed my baby the way I’d always envisioned. I’ve also handed over the formula bottle to my husband with grateful relief (while simultaneously crying over the cost of Enfamil). With all these experiences, my conclusion is that I just want to hug every new momma and let her take a good long nap.
I know how much we moms will do ANYTHING to make sure our babies are properly fed. My own favorite example of the lengths we’ll go to took place a couple days after my grandmother died. My family had to clean out her apartment, and it was this sort of event that would simply not work with a 2 yr. old and a 2 mo. old tagging along. So after dumping our kiddos with some kind friends, my husband and I trekked off in our minivan.
We were cruising down the highway, when we hit a small snag. I was still actively breastfeeding my daughter, and had timed the day so I could pump as soon as we got to the apartment. But then…traffic completely stopped. This was not good. So much for that perfectly timed pumping; we weren’t going to be arriving anywhere any time soon. As my boobs rapidly filled, I started to panic as the reality of what was going to happen set in. I can imagine doing many, many things in the minivan, but up to that point, I had never envisioned hooking up with the breast pump in the front seat of the minivan in the full light of day. But as traffic remained at a standstill, it became clear that there was no other choice. The time had come to put that cigarette lighter hook-up to work…
I have never felt more like an exposed cow in my life. It was one of those shining surreal “what the heck am I doing” moments in motherhood. I was sure someone was going to be right along in a minute to deliver my Mom of the Year award for the day. Or arrest me for public indecency. Either option seemed feasible.
But we mommas will do anything to make sure our babies are fed, right? However we do it, boobs, formula, or pumping it out broad daylight, we desperately want to take care of those little ones. That’s why, if there are some moms out there who can’t feed their babies, for whatever reason, and there is something, however small (or big), that we can do to help, it’s time to get on board.
Here’s introducing the International Breast Milk Project, an effort invested in addressing the nourishment needs of infants world-wide. Their mission is to “create awareness of the need for donor human milk, mobilize donors and provide donor human milk to infants in need.” IBMP provides breastmilk to infants suffering from malnourishment and illnesses in developing countries and in emergency situations, while working towards long-term relief through funding and supporting “sustainable solutions that build the capacity of local milk banks and health care systems as a whole.”
Take a minute to check them out and help spread the word however you can. We know feeding babies can be such a tough, tricky business, and I love the idea of reaching out to make it a little easier for someone else who is struggling. Thanks, friends.
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