Hi, my name is Sarah and I am a lactator

Laurel and I attended two support group meetings yesterday (La Leche League and Attachment Parenting Internation). It was our first La Leche League group meeting. Breastfeeding is going great for us now, but I hope that through involvement with this group, I can avoid problems and maybe even help out some other new moms.

My particular future concerns right now are teething, introducing solids and her eventual weaning. Some moms have told me that they hardly even noticed when their little ones were teething and others have said that there nipples were used as chew toys (OUCH!) She is getting to that age where she is drooling a lot and while I don't think any teeth are on the verge of popping through, I know they will be here soon enough.

My aim as far as introducing solids is to really let Laurel dictate when she's ready. In the past week we've noticed her watching us eat for the first time, so I have a feeling swiping table food won't be far behind. There is so much contrasting information out there about what the best first foods are. Our pediatrician recommends cereal but others recommend high calorie veggies. I'm still not sure what I'm comfortable doing first, but I'll keep you updated :)

Since long before I was pregnant, I knew I wanted to breastfeed. At first, I thought I would just do it for six months. Then after reading up on the subject, I changed my goal to one year (the recommendation of the American Academy of Pediatrics). Now, I'm leaning toward baby-led weaning, with the idea being that I'll breastfeed as long as Laurel wants to and allow her to wean on her own. Baby-led weaning is a scary proposition for me because I don't want to be that "weirdo" breastfeeding her three or four year old. However, there are so many advantages to extended breastfeeding (http://www.kellymom.com/bf/bfextended/ebf-benefits.html) and the World Health Organization recommends nursing to at least two years of age and longer if desired by mom and child. I love that I can nourish my baby with so many wonderful nutrients as well as provide her with antibodies to prevent her from getting sick. There are also so many benefits to women who breastfeed for a longer period of time (plus, ovulation is suppressed, so no worries about cycles.)

During that meeting we discussed some of the pitfalls of breastfeeding and some of the ways that other people can damage your breastfeeding relationship with your child. It was great to hear other voices and to find common ground with other women.

At the Attachment Parenting International (API) meeting (the two meetings are in the same room and run back-to-back), we talked about how to defend your parenting choices. In this area, breastfeeding rates are well below the national average, and those that do breastfeed generally wean before six months and it is almost unheard of to breastfeed beyond one year old. Babywearing is very rare. Also, cosleeping is generally frowned on and unfortunately most parents use Cry It Out methods to get their babies to sleep through the night.

I feel so fortunate that these two groups have started here. I often feel quite alone in my parenting decisions and while I'm alright with that and won't be pressured to change because of others, it is still nice to join with like-minded families who share my beliefs that attachment parenting and breastfeeding are the best starts we can give our children.