Breastfeeding with benefits
Posted By NICKI CRUICKSHANK
Posted 2 months ago
Jennifer Ditaranto remembers the joy of bringing her first child into the world eight years ago.
She also remembers the worries, crying and pain of trying to breastfeed her newborn and needing to reach out for support.
Luckily, she had the number of a La Leche League leader in Barrie who calmed her nerves and turned panic into a precious, nutrition-giving gift.
"I remember calling a (La Leche League) leader once the baby came. I called her in tears because I thought I wasn't doing it right," said the Barrie mother of two. "I was nervous my baby wasn't getting enough milk and I was in pain because your breasts do get tender after the baby's born. She gave me great phone support, walked me through things and assured me I was doing fine."
Ditaranto has been a nine-year member and leader with one of Barrie's two La Leche League Canada breastfeeding support groups (morning and evening). She found the group through her doctor's office during her pregnancy, but says the general public still doesn't realize the groups exist in Barrie.
"I thankfully was told about the group from my doctor, because I had no idea what La Leche League was before then," she said. "It's important to have breast-feeding services in a community, and we get referrals of moms from Royal Victoria Hospital. But a lot of mom's still don't know anything about our groups."
To help spread the word, the La Leche League Barrie groups are holding a breastfeeding benefits family fun fair and silent auction fundraiser on Saturday at Ferris Lane Community Church (49 Ferris Ln.) from 10 a. m. to 1 p. m. Admission at the door is $3 per person, or $10 per family.
The event offers something for every family, including a silent auction, activities for children and tasty treats to nibble on courtesy of The Italian Bakery in Barrie.
"This is the first time we've done this kind of fundraiser. In the past, we've done an awareness walk, but we've gotten away from that," Ditaranto said. "We've invited the moms who've joined this year and past members, too."
And any moms who have yet to hear about the groups are also welcome.
It's a national fundraiser for the La Leche League Canada groups to help support the volunteering done with breastfeeding moms.
"La Leche has never gotten government support. It depends on fundraisers and donations from the public," Ditaranto said.
The league began 50 years ago in the U. S., formed by a group of breastfeeding mothers who wanted to help struggling moms learn to confidently breastfeed their child and offer other motherly advice.
Since becoming a local leader for her group, Ditaranto said she's helped other moms through struggles she's had and she can see the benefits of her group.
"We all tend to get well-meaning advice from family and friends about breastfeeding. But, that advice will sometimes only set a mother up for failure," she said. "Our meetings are like other breastfeeding classes. It's not just advice, it's more like a workshop, and you take home the information and experiences you think work best for you."
The group has a help hotline (1-800-665-4324) mothers can call to get timely phone support from La Leche leaders in their community.
"We often hear from moms that have heard of our service by word of mouth," Ditaranto said. "Breastfeeding is something that is supposed to be so natural, but often times it's not and women need someone to turn to."
Learn more by visiting LLLC.ca, or search for the Barrie morning group on Facebook under 'La Leche League Canada Barrie AM Group'.
ncruickshank @ thebarrieexaminer.com
