By Elspeth S.
As a seventy-one-year-old, I contacted La Leche League USA seeking an opportunity to write about my experiences as I transitioned from working as a labor and delivery nurse to a freelance career as a writer. I did not expect my emotional reaction as I looked back. I reacted with tears as I remembered.
At the age of twenty-seven, and after experiencing losses of my own, I delivered my first living son. I prepared for breastfeeding and early parenting. When my son was hungry, he let the whole world know! He would let loose a cry and grab onto my breast or finger with tight fists. I wondered at his intensity.
After working a night shift, I once tried to rest with him lying next to me on the sofa as he nursed. I allowed him to nurse freely at the breast for both nutrition and comfort. This seemed like a good approach to me. I dozed off and on, receiving much-needed rest. I roused to glance down at my son. With every suck, he squirted milk through his nose! I said out loud, “Baby, you have had enough!” He showed no distress at all, but only enjoyment! At six months of age, he rediscovered sucking his thumb. I soon discovered that my son is strong-willed. His personality matched his intense nursing style.
I exclusively nursed my children until they could feed themselves with finger foods. He seemed very satisfied until one day when he toddled out of the room. He was not speaking much with words. I followed him. He stood in front of the refrigerator and reached for the door. I soon learned that a new baby was on the way. Evidently, my milk reverted to colostrum and my son was letting me know there was a change.
My second living child was a baby girl. She is very different from my son. She is very prim and proper. At two, she would not get out of the car until she had combed her hair. To this day, she remains so. Her own daughter, my granddaughter, is just like her!
I counted up the months and realized it was time for a third baby. As a mom, I became more relaxed with each baby. In my postpartum room with my third, I kept my baby with me. I knew she would often sleep with me at home. Now that I am older, I was delighted to read that La Leche League has articles on safe bed-sharing. With my children, I found I automatically made a safe cove with my arms and legs, and I was easily roused to nurse her. I never discussed this with anyone. Concerns over my parenting style finally relieved at the age of seventy-one!
This petite baby girl dearly loved her sister and brother. Even if hungry, she would interrupt her feeding to turn her head back to watch them. With my first child, I had purchased just the right toys. There was no need for this baby. All my third child required was to be laid on the floor. She would quietly twist and turn, watching her brother and sister for hours.
My eldest daughter was eager to take her first steps and walked by nine months old. My youngest baby girl felt no such pressure. This wee one decided she would not walk but roll. To go where she wanted, she just casually rolled from one side of the room to the other.
My youngest daughter was in no hurry to speak in words, either. All she needed to do was point at something and make a grunting noise. Her siblings knew her language and readily complied. She didn’t even need to speak words until she was 18 months old! She continues to be my most laid-back child. This also matched her nursing style.
Did my third baby accept a bottle of pumped milk for a date night? I never even tried. I just took her with us!
I’m now a contented grandmother of eleven between the ages of six and sixteen. There are seven boys and four girls.
I watched this very same third child nurse her babies. She produced such a good supply that she donated her milk during a recent formula shortage. My daughter’s name is Marian–named after my grandmother–who was a wet nurse over one hundred years ago. How appropriate! My family is a good gift. The life cycle continues. I hope to see great-grandchildren one day. My children’s response is “Mom, not yet, it’s too soon…!”
You can look forward to more of Elspeth’s stories on the blog as she covers topics from her own lived experiences in motherhood, and the things she experienced as a labor and delivery nurse. New Beginnings is grateful to have her join as a regular contributor.
Submit your stories and breastfeeding or parenting experiences to [email protected]
Supporting Breastfeeding Families–Today, Tomorrow, Always
Please consider donating to La Leche League USA.
Your gift helps support this blog and the website!
Donations of any amount are gratefully accepted. Thank you!
Follow us on:
Leave a Comment
Posted: October 27, 2026 by Yael Breimer
A Grandmother’s Reflections on Breastfeeding and Early Parenting
By Elspeth S.
As a seventy-one-year-old, I contacted La Leche League USA seeking an opportunity to write about my experiences as I transitioned from working as a labor and delivery nurse to a freelance career as a writer. I did not expect my emotional reaction as I looked back. I reacted with tears as I remembered.
At the age of twenty-seven, and after experiencing losses of my own, I delivered my first living son. I prepared for breastfeeding and early parenting. When my son was hungry, he let the whole world know! He would let loose a cry and grab onto my breast or finger with tight fists. I wondered at his intensity.
After working a night shift, I once tried to rest with him lying next to me on the sofa as he nursed. I allowed him to nurse freely at the breast for both nutrition and comfort. This seemed like a good approach to me. I dozed off and on, receiving much-needed rest. I roused to glance down at my son. With every suck, he squirted milk through his nose! I said out loud, “Baby, you have had enough!” He showed no distress at all, but only enjoyment! At six months of age, he rediscovered sucking his thumb. I soon discovered that my son is strong-willed. His personality matched his intense nursing style.
My second living child was a baby girl. She is very different from my son. She is very prim and proper. At two, she would not get out of the car until she had combed her hair. To this day, she remains so. Her own daughter, my granddaughter, is just like her!
I counted up the months and realized it was time for a third baby. As a mom, I became more relaxed with each baby. In my postpartum room with my third, I kept my baby with me. I knew she would often sleep with me at home. Now that I am older, I was delighted to read that La Leche League has articles on safe bed-sharing. With my children, I found I automatically made a safe cove with my arms and legs, and I was easily roused to nurse her. I never discussed this with anyone. Concerns over my parenting style finally relieved at the age of seventy-one!
This petite baby girl dearly loved her sister and brother. Even if hungry, she would interrupt her feeding to turn her head back to watch them. With my first child, I had purchased just the right toys. There was no need for this baby. All my third child required was to be laid on the floor. She would quietly twist and turn, watching her brother and sister for hours.
My eldest daughter was eager to take her first steps and walked by nine months old. My youngest baby girl felt no such pressure. This wee one decided she would not walk but roll. To go where she wanted, she just casually rolled from one side of the room to the other.
My youngest daughter was in no hurry to speak in words, either. All she needed to do was point at something and make a grunting noise. Her siblings knew her language and readily complied. She didn’t even need to speak words until she was 18 months old! She continues to be my most laid-back child. This also matched her nursing style.
Did my third baby accept a bottle of pumped milk for a date night? I never even tried. I just took her with us!
I’m now a contented grandmother of eleven between the ages of six and sixteen. There are seven boys and four girls.
I watched this very same third child nurse her babies. She produced such a good supply that she donated her milk during a recent formula shortage. My daughter’s name is Marian–named after my grandmother–who was a wet nurse over one hundred years ago. How appropriate! My family is a good gift. The life cycle continues. I hope to see great-grandchildren one day. My children’s response is “Mom, not yet, it’s too soon…!”
You can look forward to more of Elspeth’s stories on the blog as she covers topics from her own lived experiences in motherhood, and the things she experienced as a labor and delivery nurse. New Beginnings is grateful to have her join as a regular contributor.
Submit your stories and breastfeeding or parenting experiences to [email protected]
Supporting Breastfeeding Families–Today, Tomorrow, Always
Please consider donating to La Leche League USA.
Your gift helps support this blog and the website!
Donations of any amount are gratefully accepted. Thank you!
Follow us on:
Facebook
Category: Breastfeeding and Lifestyle
Subscribe to Our Blog
Upcoming events:
La Leche League Meetings