Basking Babies/Angela Helps

2/23/2011

How has Angela with Basking Babies been of help to you?

Sent by email May 2012 from K.K.
Hello Angela, I'm sure you don't remember me, but I wanted to finally
send you a thank you note to say how much I appreciated your help when
my little girl was born and we were learning how to breastfeed. My
sweet little gal was born last August at 36 weeks and weighed 5 lbs,
6oz. I really wanted to nurse her, and did right away, but I was also
encouraged at the hospital to supplement her feedings with formula in
order to help her gain weight. So I pumped, and nursed, and weighed,
and gave bottles, and pumped, and weighed, and nursed, and cried, and
pumped, and worried, and nursed, and on and on. When I think about
those days I remember feeling sleep-deprived and over-anxious,
determined to give my baby the best, but also worried that maybe my
body just couldn't provide for her. I imagine a lot of new mothers
feel this way, but of course at the time I felt so alone and I had so
many questions. I met with a lactation consultant before we
were discharged, and then a couple days later I talked with you by phone.
You answered my questions and then gave me
a very specific plan for how I should handle feedings in order to
ensure the baby got the calories she needed and I was able to maintain my
milk supply. I did my best to follow the plan but questions always
came up. I came to a couple support group sessions and you were so
helpful then too. I remember one particular day I was having a really
hard time because the baby was at the very bottom of her weight range and
was latching on well but didn't seem to be getting enough milk and
gaining enough weight. I was exhausted from the nursing, pumping,
bottles, weighing cycle, and I felt so disappointed in myself because
this thing that I thought was going to be so "natural" was feeling
anything but natural. I felt like a bad mom. That day I was
explaining all of this to you and I don't remember your exact
words but basically you said that you were stumped too. And I was so
relieved! I thought, she's the expert and she is stumped too, no
wonder I don't know what I'm doing. :) We worked out a plan and the
next day you called me to tell me that you talked with some of your
LC friends and offered me some more advice. Thank you for that. Thank
you for listening to my concerns and taking the time to help me and
for following up on the phone several times. I know you must get the
same questions over and over, but thank you for not making me feel
like you were answering the same question for the hundredth time. I'm
happy to say today our baby is almost 9 months old and she's happy,
healthy, and a champion nurser! I have so enjoyed the closeness that
comes with breastfeeding. Thank you so much for the help and support
you gave us when we were just beginning. Take care.

FROM Facebook Mom: M. H.
Thank you so much for all your help with Reuben! He has gained 3lbs 2oz in this first month and even though he eats from my breasts I feel like you play a huge part in this...now if only you could get up in the middle of the night for me, I could get some sleep. Thanks again!

21 Comments

LaVonne Spencer

2/23/2011 06:19:59 am

You are so easy to talk to, just like family, and have so much good information to give - like what to do when we have too much milk coming in or when we don't have enough milk at times. You even helped us locate a good breast pump when we needed one and told us how to store the milk for later use. You have lots of great advise due to years of experience that the rest of us don't have the answers to. Thanks for all your help....You're the best!!

Erin Hemesath

2/24/2011 11:42:16 am

As a first time mom I have committed myself to breastfeeding for the first year. Everything was going great until my daughter was 4 weeks old and we began to have problems latching on one side. I was completely frustrated after two days of watching my daughter pull away and then scream because she was still hungry. After getting a not so helpful response from the lactation consultants through my hospital I was put in touch with Angela, the Lactation Lady of Iowa. What a difference! Angela reassured me I was doing a great job (very important for a nervous first time mom!) and helped me work through the problem and come up with solutions. After just a day of following Angela's advice my daughter and I were back on track. My daughter is now 8 weeks and 12 lbs., all thanks to breastmilk! Thank you so much Angela!

Jamie M

2/27/2011 07:57:31 am

As a first time mother, I knew that I wanted to breastfeed, having heard the wonderful lifelong benefits of my baby having breast milk. My son had issues latching on, and when he did, it was for very short amounts of time. Angela helped us through this problem with many helpful tools and suggestions, never once losing focus of our end goal, even when I was doubting myself. Angela assisted me with low milk supply and mastitis, all with home remedies and/or over the counter medications & herbs. Her experience and dedication are commendable! I truely appreciate how easily I was able to talk to Angela during such a critical time in my child's life. Thank You Angela!

Molly M

3/1/2011 12:56:05 am

Angela has helped me tremendously. I got mastitis and didn't know what to do. I felt terrible and the last thing I wanted to do was brest feed my son while I was feeling so run down. Angela took time away from her family on a Sunday and talked me through it. I was really close to quitting brestfeeding but with her help my son is thriving and brestfeeding is finally getting to become second nature! Thanks for all your help!!

Amanda P

3/7/2011 11:11:17 am

I am a mother of three...two of which I have nursed.

I sure wish Angela was around when I had my oldest. He was born at 29 weeks. I was 19 and dumb, and nobody really sat down with me to talk to me about the benefits of breast feeding. Thankfully, he has grown up strong and healthy...but I can't help feeling like he and I really missed out on some quality bonding time if nothing else.

With my girls I have had a very successful nursing experience. The first time around I was plagued by sore/cracked/bleeding nipples. Since my mom and Angela are friends, she suggested I give her a call. Thank goodness I did! She got me pointed in the right direction and saved my poor nipples and kept me from giving up. A few months down the road I ran into some supply problems. My doctor decided it was fine for me to go back to my regular birth control. I didn't know any better so I did...and darn near dried up! Once again, Angela saved the day. I started taking Fenugreek and eating all the oats in my house. My supply came back and I was able to nurse my oldest daughter until she was a year old.

With my second daughter I was able to get myself through the first two weeks or sore/cracked nipples without any assistance. Unfortunately, after I got that problem solved I ended up with a case of mastitis. Thankfully Angela and I caught it in time and I was able to get it cleared up without any medication (other than Motrin), trips to the doctor, or supply issue. My favorite trick from that episode was the crock-pot of hot wash cloths! I passed this trick along to my cousin when she thought she was coming down with mastitis. She too was able to remedy her situation and keep on nursing and pumping.

I'll never be able to thank Angela enough for her help and patience. She's the best!

Kristen

3/13/2011 10:27:44 pm

Angela is very easy to talk to - so encouraging and helpful. I attended a class of hers then had some additional questions (which is more than expected as a first time mother), and she quickly responded to my emails and kept up with me to see how things were going. She's been very helpful...I believe her advise as well as encouraging attitude has aided in being able to breastfeed my little girl these past 8 months.

Leeora link

3/15/2011 06:37:01 am

Angela was instrumental in my success as a breastfeeding mom. I was an excited 1st time mom who had taken a breastfeeding class and couldn't wait to hold my baby in my arms. I was excited to bond and nurse my little miracle. Little did I know so many obstacles could arise - Sore/cracked/bleeding nipples, mastitis, plugged ducts, a wonderful but stubborn baby who struggled with latching, then low supply. . .as each obstacle arose Angela gently guided me through. She sat with me while I cried and then gave me ideas and remedies to try. She worked one on one with my daughter's latching issues. My goal became 'I want to nurse for 1 year'. . . my daughter nursed for 15 months! It was wonderful having someone cheering me on when I know I would have otherwise given up. I am so thankful Angela took the time to educate me during each situation because when my second child was born 3 years later I had a wealth of knowledge to help me succeed once again.
THANKS ANGELA!

Rebekah

3/26/2011 11:21:06 pm

The Lactation Lady of Iowa was very helpful for me throughout my entire pregnancy. My husband and I used her before the birth of our daughter to educate us on what to expect during labor as well as education on how soon to nurse and tips on proper latch. She also was helpful through phone conversations after birth on how to deal with sore nipples and how to know if the baby was getting enough food. At one point I had her do a home visit to do a weight check before and after feeding to measure the amount of breastmilk ingested, this was very helpful and re-assuring for me. During our home visit she also showed me positions for breastfeeding and ways to get my daughter to latch on better. The Lactation Lady of Iowa was a great resource for me and was very helpful and professional, She really knows her stuff!

Jennifer

4/3/2011 11:37:26 pm

Being pregnant with my first child, I knew in my mind that all I wanted to do was breastfeed. My sisters had success at it so I figured I would as well. I didn't realize how difficult breastfeeding would be and the challenges I would go through. From the beginning, my son latched on great. I on the other hand wasn't producing enough milk. Angela helped me every step of the way, gave me advice on what steps I needed to do in order to produce more milk. She took time out of her busy schedule to meet with me. Angela was always there whenever i had a question or needed to just talk. She would call me for no reason at all but to just make sure I was doing ok and to ask how nursing was going. Even though I was struggling and getting frustrated she always reassured me that I was doing a great job. She truely is a lady who has a passion for helping people.

Jeanne

4/24/2011 12:54:07 pm

Angela was a tremendous help with nursing issues with Babies #8, #9, and yes, #10 too! With a busy houseful of children it was hard to keep my supply up and I easily could have given up. She worked tirelessly with me and saved my scrawny 'failure to thrive' baby. It seems incredulous after nursing the first 7 children that I could be such a novice, but Angela is a wealth of knowledge that she lovingly shares with women at a time in life when we all need a Special Lady who truly cares. She is a wonderful treasure.

Martha Wells-Copeland

4/25/2011 11:56:03 am

Angela was a great help and resource with both my kids. My mom didn't breastfeed, so I didn't really have a family resource. She was always there to help answer questions, offer advice and reassurance. Thanks so much for all your help!!

Katie

5/11/2011 12:03:36 am

Angela is the most amazing resource for a breastfeeding mom and baby. She has helped me through all five of my pregnancies and beyond. After baby number five, I thought I had it all figured out. But when I ran into the problem of low milk supply, she reminded me how to increase my supply. Here I am 8 months later, still nursing and so thankful for her expert and always effective advice!

Kristen

8/7/2011 12:08:30 pm

My daughter turned 1 a little over a month ago, so she is now fully weaned. However, I am so thankful to have been able to nurse her for that whole time! What made it so easy and less stressful was having Angela as a ready, willing, and helpful resource. She provided advice and support, but I also knew she cared. Thank you, Angela, for your support through the 1st year of nursing! (Anastasia thanks you too, I'm sure!)

Karen S.

8/11/2011 08:08:00 am

Thanks Angela for your helpful tips for my niece-- a first time breast feeding mom. Even though she lives in San Diego, you were more than willing to offer very helpful advice to get her through those first few weeks. She's doing great and baby is thriving! You are a wealth of knowledge and your talents are a gift to these moms!! :)

Amanda Betts

8/17/2011 04:49:32 am

I can't believe I haven't commented here yet! Angela was an amazing resource for me after the birth of my daughter. I always knew I wanted to breastfeed my children because of the numerous benefits, but I had trouble with a low milk supply at first. Angela patiently walked me through how to increase my milk supply. She has also helped me with the occasional clogged milk duct. With Angela's help, I am still nursing my baby girl who is now 8-months old (and I plan to continue until she is at least 1). I would HIGHLY recommend Angela to any new moms out there looking for support and guidance with breastfeeding. She is so patient and kind!

Jessica

8/17/2011 09:11:04 am

I never realized the challenges one could encounter while breastfeeding until I began doing it! Thankfully, with Angela's help, I was able to survive using a shield for flat nipples, a fussy baby while nursing, and a stubborn case of thrush. She is extremely knowledgeable and was quick to respond to any problems I had. I am so thankful I have her as a resource to help fulfill my commitment to breastfeeding.

Julia A

8/22/2011 07:39:33 am

I am a family physician and advised hundreds of women to breastfeed their babies but never realized how truly difficult it is to get a hang of breastfeeding. My baby has a "funny latch", i.e. it does not look anything like the book. But she transfers milk and gaining wait. Angela was fantastic! She helped me a great deal, most importantly gave me the confidence that I am doing ok, and my baby is growing well. It was worth every penny and more, especially considering that you will pay that much and more for the formula. She is a great resource and I would highly recommend her anyone (especially my patients that have a difficult time breastfeeding :).

Kristen H.

10/25/2011 12:13:40 am

Angela has provided us with wonderful postpartum support. When I had my first baby four years ago, we had latch problems for a few weeks. I had a difficult time finding someone who could provide one-on-one advice and support. So as I prepared for the birth of my second child in 2011, I was elated to find Angela. Of course, each baby is different and this one arrived ready to breast feed. We've had plenty of other postpartum "issues" and Angela has been an excellent resource and support person. She provided advice that helped my daughter sleep better and help us better cope with her reflux. I attended the Basking Babies Support Group and Angela was open to discussing any postpartum and breastfeeding questions. She even called a few days later to find out if any of her suggestions helped. I'm looking forward to October's Basking Babies meeting. I definitely recommend Angela's services.

Amanda VE link

4/30/2012 10:50:07 pm

Angela's services saved my nursing relationship with my 6 month old. I was at a loss and really thought my days of nursing were coming to an end. Even though I had successfully breastfed 3 older children, I found myself having some pretty major issues with low supply. Angela offered advice that was practical with having older children and other responsibilites. When I first met with her I was only producing about 1 ounce every 2-3 hours- just a few short weeks later I am producing 6 ounces in the same amount of time! We are happily continuing our nursing relationship and I couldn't be more pleased with the services Angela provided!

Joseph Aidan link

5/27/2012 03:03:51 pm

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Avis Day link

6/21/2012 12:01:20 pm

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Basking Babies/Angela Helps

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