Mothers of premature babies often reach out to other mothers online to find the help and support they need.
Amarillo, Texas (PRWEB) November 19, 2014
November is recognized as Prematurity Awareness Month and for the families of preemies, giving birth to a premature baby can be a frightening and overwhelming experience. Unfortunately, according to Lara Audelo, author of the Virtual Breastfeeding Culture, many new mothers, especially mothers who preterm babies, find that they are isolated, with no one to help them. In response, these new mothers reach out to each other—online.
In her book, The Virtual Breastfeeding Culture, author Lara Audelo describes how technology has given new mothers a way to end the isolation and increase support: Krysta, the mother of a baby born at 25 weeks, found it difficult to continue the regimen of pumping that allowed her baby to receive her milk. When she felt that she could no longer cope, she turned to find support online. "I pumped every three hours for the next month. I was getting ounces by then, but I was so tired that I nearly threw the pump through the wall. I couldn't look at the pump or think of my son, as so many pumping moms do when they pump, so I communed on Facebook and read. I also joined some other preemie groups, such as Breastmilk for Preemies (http://www.facebook.com/BreastmilkForPreemies) and Mended Little Hearts (http://www.mendedlittlehearts.org). It wasn't long before I was able to give advice to other preemie or pumping moms."
Ask any new mother who is at home with a week-old baby how different her life is now, and she probably wouldn’t even be able to articulate the incredible change. Mothers of premature babies face even more challenges, and it's an incredibly difficult time as they face worries that many moms of full-term babies never experience. Thankfully today's families with preemies can reach out to a multitude of resources, and have the benefit of an amazing virtual infrastructure of support with the hope that no family in need will fall through the cracks.
Lara Audelo, author of The Virtual Breastfeeding Culture, is the mother of two young boys, and breastfeeding educator, speaker, advocate, and social media freelancer. She believes increased education for all is the key to helping mothers achieve their individual breastfeeding goals, and is crucial for individuals who are responsible for providing much-needed support to nursing mothers. A former high school history teacher, she received her Certified Lactation Education Counselor (CLEC) credential from University of California San Diego (UCSD) in 2010.
Praeclarus Press is a small press founded by Kathleen Kendall-Tackett, Ph.D., IBCLC, FAPA and specializes in women’s health. It features books, webinars, and products that support women's health throughout their lifespan. Based in Amarillo, Texas, the mission of Praeclarus Press is to produce materials that change women’s lives.
