Debbie

Meet Debbie, mother of four, survivor of infant loss, and one of our area's long time breastfeeding leader and advocate.

Hello all. I'm Debbie, I’ve been involved with La Leche League for 45+ years! I have had 4 children (3 living). Joanna 46, nursed 2 yrs 10 mos. Rebekah, 42, nursed 2 yrs 5 or 6 mos, and Roland 39, nursed 3 yrs 3 mos.

My first child, Brian, nursed about 4 months, but was supplemented with formula from very early on. (Followed Dr's advice of waiting every 4 hours to feed and then gave bottle when my milk became low.) Brian got sick and died when he was almost 5 months old. He would have been 49 this year.

When I was expecting Joanna I read an article in American Baby magazine about La Leche League and went to my first meeting with a friend when she was 4 weeks old. They kept me going with encouragement and answered my questions. I was determined to prove them right and not have to give her a bottle.

I spent many hours switch nursing, though I didn't have a name for it at the time, but it worked and I was hooked.