Central Florida Green Guide

In Nov 2006 I had the amazing privilege of bringing my beautiful baby into the world.  It was the most wonderul experience I’ve lived.  I was not prepared however for the emotional rollercoaster that was to come in the following weeks and months.  As a doula, and trained lactation counselor there was no question in my mind that I wanted to breastfeed.  It didn’t even occur to me that I would have any issues with it given my training.  Well that is not how it went.

A day after having my Luna Jane I was already having trouble (the day she arrived was a bit of a blur) nursing.  My good friend, also a lactation counselor asked me if I wanted her to call Deb (as we know her) and I agreed.  Deb came to my house later that day.  She lives in the Lake Mary area and I live by UCF, quite a drive for her.  My milk was already starting to change and I knew (from my training) that I needed a better latch or I would risk engorgement that night.   I was very emotional and just wanted to nurse my baby.  She was so warm and understanding of my feelings.  After talking about the birth she helped me get a better latch and then asked me to say what we did different (a technique that now as a CLC I find to be very helpful.)  That night she ended up staying for quite a while helping me.

With the work we did that night I was able to nurse and not get engorged.  A few days later though we still didn’t have a great latch and I was in pain.  I called Deb myself and asked for her help.  She drove to my home again the following morning on Thanksgiving Day!  Again she was warm and caring all the while helping me.  That day she had to cook and prepare for Thanksgiving with her family yet she again stayed for quite a while.

 My emotional rollercoaster was just beginning.  Luna Jane was not making “adequate” weight gains when I took her to the pediatrician and I ended up supplementing with formula for a few weeks.  This was absolutely devastating to me and I felt that noone understood how I felt.  Deb loaned me an electric pump and I began pumping as well.  I remember one day being in her office at the Breastfeeding Center and just breaking down.  When I look back now I realize just what a gift she has.  She never went into the “drama” with me yet I felt her compassion the whole way through.  I’ve since shared this with her as it’s a quality I too want to have when helping other moms. 

 Pumping and transitioning out of pumping and supplementing was a whole other story.  I realize now that all the training and studying I had done didn’t fully prepare me for the reality I experienced.  Deb continued to call me every couple of days and helped me set mini-goals and offered suggestions.  She supported me throughout this entire challenging time.  I remember one day I mentioned to her that I didn’t pump the day before and she very simply said to me “Well, why don’t you try not pumping anymore.”  I hadn’t thought of that.  I was still so caught up in it that I didn’t even think that was an option.  Well, that was the end of pumping. 

 From then on it was just the breast for Luna Jane and we were just fine.  Deb was an incredible resource and support for me.  I am ever grateful to her for what she did for me and my family.  Since my experience being her client I have witnessed her help other moms with the same compassion and intuitive guidance.  I have also been privileged enough to work alongside with her in helping other moms.  I don’t think she truly knows just how valuable she is.  Because she was a friend before being her client I know that she went above and beyond, nevertheless she shares those same gifts and qualities with every mom she helps.

Debra Kearney Brown is the founder of the Central Florida Breastfeeding and Parenting Center in Lake Mary.  It is a wonderful resource for new parents and especially for new moms.

Michelle lives in Orlando with her husband and baby daughter.  She is passionate about pregnancy, birth, and motherhood.  She is a doula, lactation counselor, and Itsy Bitsy Yoga instructor.  You can also find her doing henna at various events.  She is a conscious and spiritual being.  Her dedication to spiritual evolvement led her to become an Avatar Master through which she is helping to create an “enlightened planetary civilization”.