Published: April 23, 2008 11:50 am            

Breastfeeding Basics

Enthusiasm bubbles out of Nicki Davis of Watson every time she speaks about her passion for breastfeeding. Her eyes light up, her face glows and the words flow as she describes all the benefits breastfeeding brings to both mother and child.

“Mother Nature gave you the ability to feed your baby,” Davis said. “You can’t duplicate it (breast milk) with a formula ... The free, always ready, doesn’t-need-heated, perfect food for your baby is available and waiting. And breastfeeding gives mothers the perfect bonding time with their child.”

Davis brings her zeal plus a wealth of knowledge to her passion for breastfeeding, a zeal that first was expressed in her role as a La Leche League leader, a volunteer position she used to educate and offer support to women in the area interested in breastfeeding their infants, and will now be demonstrated through her work as a certified lactation consultant and Lamaze instructor.

Davis — the mother of four, Tyler, 10, Jaidi, 5, Ali, 3, and Lyndi, 7 months — decided while pregnant with her first child that she wanted to at least try breastfeeding.

“I was only 20,” she said. “But I’ve always believed you can’t say you don’t like something unless you’ve tried it.”

Davis found little support and no educational material available on breastfeeding when she first started. But determined to try, she set small goals for herself and concentrated on breastfeeding one day at a time.

By the time her second child was born, Davis had became acquainted with the La Leche League, which offered information and advice she had not found during her first experience with breastfeeding.

Founded in 1956, La Leche League is dedicated to promoting breastfeeding and offering mother-to-mother support and education.

“It’s the support that’s so important,” Davis said. “Just having someone to turn to that understands what you are going through is important.”

Davis found the support and education a refreshing change from what she had faced when she breastfed her first child. She joined the organization, first as a member and then, after training, as an accredited leader.

Davis is now becoming even more involved in breastfeeding support as she completes education requirements to become a professional certified lactation consultant.

“Breastfeeding is not as easy as 1-2-3,” Davis said. “... Everyone needs to educate themselves and that is why support during this time of learning is incredibly important.”

She went on to explain that if you gather a support team before the baby arrives, you will have someone to call on when problems arise.

“I try to tell moms the first few weeks are tough,” Davis said. “They are all about learning everything, including breastfeeding, but then after that, it is very smooth.”

Davis is willing to come to the hospital to help new mothers but, she explained, she can’t come unless the new mother herself calls and requests her assistance.

“Early knowledge helps the mother learn before problems arise,” Davis said.

Davis’ assistance to mothers has even extended to helping an adoptive mother who wanted to breast-feed the newborn additions to her family — something she was able to accomplish.

Davis is quick to dispel myths about breastfeeding, stating emphatically that breast size is not a problem and there are few diet restrictions while breastfeeding.

Even being on medications may not be an obstacle.

“I have the latest information on what drugs may be taken while breastfeeding,” Davis said.

With four children, Davis has a wealth of experience and training about breastfeeding — experience and information she is eager to share with others. She is willing to give presentations to groups interested in breastfeeding — her last presentation was to a Teens MOPS group in Mattoon — or meet with mothers one-on-one. And ever eager to expand her expertise in the area of child-birth and breastfeeding, Davis also is working on certification as a Lamaze instructor. Lamaze uses breathing and relaxation techniques instead of medications during labor and birth to reduce pain for the mother.

No matter how or when mothers come to Davis for help, she is always eager to share information on what she feels is best for the baby.

“Time flies,” she said. “And it’s such a short time that your baby will need you. Breastfeeding is an incredible bonding experience.”

Contact Nicki Davis at 217-536-9070, or for additional information on La Leche League, contact Angie Esker at 217-857-6276.

Mary Holle can be reached at 217-347-7151, ext. 134, or e-mail mary.holle@effinghamdailynews.com.