By Amber A.
Originally published in 2012 in New Beginnings magazine.
Editor’s Note: The first issue of La Leche League News, a bimonthly LLLI publication for members, was published in 1958. The name was changed to New Beginnings in 1985. New Beginnings continued to be published until 2014, when it was converted to its current weekly blog format at www.lllusa.org/blog/
Due to his breech presentation, my son was born via cesarean section on August 5, 2010. I contacted my local La Leche League Group for help. Breastfeeding was really hard for me from the start because of the cesarean birth. I wasn’t able to see my son right away, and when I finally did, I was pretty groggy from the anesthesia and I am assuming he was, too. He didn’t latch on at all. The nurses tried to help me many times, but he just wasn’t latching on, and I was frustrated.
My pediatrician told me that my son was tongue-tied. He suggested that we not get his frenulum clipped until later and only if it caused speech problems. So I did what my doctor suggested. I figured he knew more than I did. He never once said it could cause breastfeeding problems; he actually said that my son should be fine.
I ended up only being able to get my son to nurse while I wore a nipple shield. Sometimes I would pump and my husband would feed him with a small medicine cup. Talk about frustration! This went on for about two and one-half months. It was terrible. My son nursed for over an hour each time, with 30 minutes between feedings. None of us were getting much sleep. I remember watching a two-hour movie with my son nursing the entire time. I couldn’t eat, sleep, go to the bathroom, leave the house, or even shower because my son needed to be at my breast constantly.
I knew something wasn’t right. My pediatrician suggested supplementing with formula, but that was a no-go for me. I was miserable and almost gave up. I just didn’t know why my son wouldn’t latch on without the nipple shield and when he did latch on, it took him so long to nurse. It felt never-ending.
I looked back at some of the papers I had received from a breastfeeding class I had taken at our local hospital while I was pregnant. I found a La Leche League handout that listed several phone numbers. I decided to call one of them for help. The LLL Leader volunteer came to my house the very next day to support me. I was so shocked!
That Leader didn’t even know me and was jumping right in to help. She gave me several pointers, invited me to the local LLL monthly Group Meetings, and also suggested I call a lactation consultant for professional help. She also told me that some parents get the frenulum clipped because it can make breastfeeding easier. She met with me several other times and even let me borrow her copy of The Womanly Art of Breastfeeding. The book helped a lot, and I ordered my own copy. I am very thankful for all of her support. La Leche League helped save my breastfeeding relationship.
I went on to breastfeed my son until he was nine months old. During those nine months, I worked full time and pumped three times a day at work. I am so very grateful and will contact LLL the next time I am nursing.
La Leche League really has some great volunteers working with their organization! I was going to give up because I couldn’t handle it anymore. I’m so glad that I called La Leche League.
We’d love to hear your breastfeeding story. Send your experiences to Kylie at [email protected]
Resources about the topics in this story:
Editor’s note: La Leche League International’s core book, The Art of Breastfeeding (9th edition), formerly known as The Womanly Art of Breastfeeding, has been fully revised and updated and is available now. You can order your copy here. You can learn more about the book here. You can find your local Leaders and Groups here: lllusa.org/locator/.
Supporting Breastfeeding Families–Today, Tomorrow, Always

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Your gift helps support this blog and the website!
Donations of any amount are gratefully accepted. Thank you!
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Posted: January 28, 2025 by Yael Breimer
A Look Back: How LLL Saved My Breastfeeding Relationship
By Amber A.
Originally published in 2012 in New Beginnings magazine.
Editor’s Note: The first issue of La Leche League News, a bimonthly LLLI publication for members, was published in 1958. The name was changed to New Beginnings in 1985. New Beginnings continued to be published until 2014, when it was converted to its current weekly blog format at www.lllusa.org/blog/
My pediatrician told me that my son was tongue-tied. He suggested that we not get his frenulum clipped until later and only if it caused speech problems. So I did what my doctor suggested. I figured he knew more than I did. He never once said it could cause breastfeeding problems; he actually said that my son should be fine.
I ended up only being able to get my son to nurse while I wore a nipple shield. Sometimes I would pump and my husband would feed him with a small medicine cup. Talk about frustration! This went on for about two and one-half months. It was terrible. My son nursed for over an hour each time, with 30 minutes between feedings. None of us were getting much sleep. I remember watching a two-hour movie with my son nursing the entire time. I couldn’t eat, sleep, go to the bathroom, leave the house, or even shower because my son needed to be at my breast constantly.
I knew something wasn’t right. My pediatrician suggested supplementing with formula, but that was a no-go for me. I was miserable and almost gave up. I just didn’t know why my son wouldn’t latch on without the nipple shield and when he did latch on, it took him so long to nurse. It felt never-ending.
I looked back at some of the papers I had received from a breastfeeding class I had taken at our local hospital while I was pregnant. I found a La Leche League handout that listed several phone numbers. I decided to call one of them for help. The LLL Leader volunteer came to my house the very next day to support me. I was so shocked!
That Leader didn’t even know me and was jumping right in to help. She gave me several pointers, invited me to the local LLL monthly Group Meetings, and also suggested I call a lactation consultant for professional help. She also told me that some parents get the frenulum clipped because it can make breastfeeding easier. She met with me several other times and even let me borrow her copy of The Womanly Art of Breastfeeding. The book helped a lot, and I ordered my own copy. I am very thankful for all of her support. La Leche League helped save my breastfeeding relationship.
I went on to breastfeed my son until he was nine months old. During those nine months, I worked full time and pumped three times a day at work. I am so very grateful and will contact LLL the next time I am nursing.
La Leche League really has some great volunteers working with their organization! I was going to give up because I couldn’t handle it anymore. I’m so glad that I called La Leche League.
We’d love to hear your breastfeeding story. Send your experiences to Kylie at [email protected]
Resources about the topics in this story:
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:
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Category: Grateful For LLL USA, Looking Back
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