Testimonials:
My
experience breastfeeding my first child was,
to say the least, less than ideal.
Even with all my dedication and
determination, I was told by the lactation
consultant at the hospital . . . “maybe
you shouldn’t breastfeed.” After 6
weeks, 3 plugged ducts and a round of
mastitis I decided to use a breast pump and
feed my daughter bottles of pumped milk
until she was a year old. In the
beginning, it was frustrating, stressful and
exhausting. Eventually, I got into a
routine and everything worked out in the
end. But, I was never able to
experience the joy (or convenience) of
actually breastfeeding.
So, in
preparation for the birth of my second child
I began researching lactation consultants
online. Though I didn’t realize it
at the time, a few strokes of the keyboard
and a phone call to Mellanie Shepphard and
my prayers were answered. Mellanie is
not only patient, knowledgeable and
understanding, but she is also incredibly
passionate about her profession. I
truly appreciated her manner and approach as
breastfeeding can be emotional and very
personal. I will be forever grateful
to Mellanie for teaching me and my baby how
to work together to develop a healthy, happy
breastfeeding relationship.
-K. Soward
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I thank you so much for
what you do. I was so confused and unsure of
myself and my milk in that 1st week after
Cristian was born. If it wouldn't have been
for your home visit we would have surely
given up breastfeeding. I am also very
thankful for the weekly meetings you hold. I
met some great mommies there. It was so
reassuring to hear that what I was going
thru was normal and that others had
experienced it too. I seriously doubt we
would have nursed to almost 3 without all of
your help and support. Keep up the great
work!
-Randi and Cristian Campuzano |
| This
group (and Mellanie in particular) gave me
instruction when I was really lost and most
of all made me feel good about my
efforts...I found real support and hope
here. Thank You!
-T. Heinz
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When my son was about 2 months old, he stopped gaining
weight adequately. I contacted Deirdre with For Babies'
Sake and we figured out it was his latch due to severe
congestion. The incorrect latch caused my milk supply to
drop. With a lot of support and advice from Deirdre,
Mellanie, and all the FBS mommies, I was able to get my
supply back up and adequately feed my baby. My now 7 month
old is still nursing happily away. THANK YOU For Babies' Sake!!!
-Michelle Mulbach
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My pediatrician said my 4 month old wasn't gaining enough weight. She said
formula was the answer and sent me home with samples. Deirdre gave me
breastfeeding advice that worked and even more importantly she gave me the
confidence in knowing that I am the one who knows what's best for my child.
-Shelley Hurtado
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To make a very long story short, Deirdre Cannon saved my
breastfeeding relationship with my first child! Although I
had attended LLL meetings prior to giving birth, I did not have
a lot of additional support. My mother never breastfed me or my
siblings, and I was the first of my circle of friends to become
pregnant. When my daughter was born, she had some difficulty with
latch. The LC at the hospital where I delivered was NOWHERE to be
found! My baby was quickly losing weight and becoming more jaundiced.
After receiving some bad advice from our pediatrician, I found myself
trying to nurse a baby who just would not latch. At all. Through my
tears, I contacted Deirdre. She listened to me, guided me, and helped
me get my baby back onto the breast. She provided me the encouragement
and support I needed, when all I wanted to do was give up. Over the
next few weeks, she called to follow up with me and answered all of the
questions I had.
With her help, I successfully nursed my daughter using a nipple shield
and eventually (after 4 months) was able to get her back to the breast.
I am forever grateful to Deirdre for her kind words, support,
encouragement, and information during those difficult months. I went on
to nurse my daughter for two years, and had two other children; one of
which nursed for 2 1/2 years and the other is seven months old and still
nursing!
-Lori Seimer
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Thank you Deirdre for your help with our latch issues. Before your visit,
bf'ing was so painful that I was ready to throw in the towel with my six
week old. I didn't even know she was latching improperly. I just thought
bf'ing was something I'd have to suffer through. Because of your advice,
we have successfully been without the nipple shield and latching wonderfully
since. My girl is now sixteen weeks old and thriving. I really enjoy our
time bf'ing together. I'm actually doing it while I write this. Thank you
so much for your help!
-Lauren McMurrey
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I'm so glad and proud to say that I am an alumni of FBS. Without their
knowledge and encouragement, I honestly don't think I would've nursed
my twin boys for as long as I have. I also loved the camaraderie. I met
some of the most awesome women and I truly cherish their friendship now.
-Celeste Clark
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I am so glad that a neighbor of mine introduced me to the For Babies' Sake
group. If it wasn't for her or the group I probably would have quit nursing
my son before he was two months old. I wanted to nurse him until he was 6
months old, however with the group and the women there I went beyond 6 months
and even beyond one year. I am proud to tell other new mommies it is possible
with the help of great friends and For Babies Sake. I knew that breastmilk
was best for my baby, and I wanted to give him the best.
-Anna Hope
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For Babies' Sake helped me by providing me with encouragement and knowledge
that I needed to be able to breastfeed my twin babies. With out you all
there is no way I would have been able to nurse Gage and Claire for this long!
-Lindsay Wiggins
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I am proud and honored to say that I attended the very first FBS group in 2004.
I was a new mommy and knew very little about breastfeeding. I did know that
I wanted to attempt it, but didn't know if I was capable. However, with the
loving support and valuable information from Mellanie and the other moms, I
breastfed my first child for 15 months and my second child for 18 months. My
two girls are now 7 and 4 years old and are healthy and smart! New mommies
need to be able to see other moms nursing their babies at all different ages
(newborn to toddler) so they can see how normal it is and know what to expect.
This group was a blessing from God and I recommend every new mom come to this
group or find one just like it.
-Gina Hunter
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When I went to my first For Babies' Sake meeting, my son was three months
old, and we had been supplementing since week 5, due to his losing weight.
I had already talked to everyone I knew to talk to and found very little help.
With my supply close to gone, I cried & Mellanie & Deirdre cried with me.
Mellanie suggested I have my prolactin levels checked. Mine were a 7 when
they should have been around 50! A medication that can help with supply was
suggested and after getting the medication, my supply went up! Although we
still have to supplement, I'm still able to nurse! He's now 9 months old -
what a blessing FBS has been through expert advice, through donated breastmilk
to limit the formula I have to use, through camaraderie of other mothers,
through friendships made - a blessing indeed. Thank God!
-Casey Custer
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