Parent Perspectives: Why Breastfeeding Support is Crucial
- targetkidsstudy
- Oct 7
- 4 min read
Breastfeeding can be one of the most rewarding, and most challenging, parts of early parenthood. It's a journey that requires patience, support and the right information. For National Breastfeeding Week, we spoke with one of our staff members and two parent partners about their personal breastfeeding experiences — the ups and downs, the lessons they learned, and why support makes all the difference.
Learning Patience and Finding Support
Mateenah Roksandic, TARGet Kids! Patient Engagement Coordinator
For Mateenah, breastfeeding her children was a brand new experience each time, filled with learning and adjustment.
"I struggled at first with low supply, but consistent latching and support helped my body adjust to meet my daughter’s needs," she shared. "When my twin boys arrived, tandem feeding was a whole new challenge. It required juggling and flexibility, but I learned to be much kinder to myself along the way."
Her biggest takeaway -- that every family's feeding journey is unique.
"I often heard that there’s a 'right' way to feed a baby," she says. "I quickly learned that every journey is unique, and feeding can include breastmilk, formula, or both—whatever works best for your family."
Support from healthcare providers and her community was essential.
"Encouragement, practical tips, and reassurance made challenges more manageable and helped me feel confident in my decisions," Mateenah reflects. "Be patient and seek support as early as possible. Flexibility, consistency, and celebrating those small milestones go a long way. Trust your gut and remember that every step counts."
Advocating for Spaces and Understanding
Kerry Stewart, PACT Parent
Kerry's breastfeeding journey was shaped by both personal determination and the guidance of supportive healthcare staff.
"My mother was not successful back in the 80's with breastfeeding. She was not able to breastfeed me or my younger brother. She didn't have the knowledge or support to be successful," she recalls. "I (wrongly) assumed that it was either something your body just did or didn't. I was always worried and nervous, believing that I would 'inherit' the same inability."
With preparation and encouragement, her first breastfeeding experience was a joyful surprise.
"The nurse helped prop me up and supported me with pillows. She brought my daughter to me and positioned her 'just so'. She helped me hold my daughter's head and moved her tiny mouth toward my breast in just the right way at just the right angle, and voila! My daughter latched right away! I was sobbing with relief and astonishment." she remembers.
Her experience also underscores how public and workplace environments can affect nursing parents.
She recalls how when she was called to testify in court shortly after giving birth, there was nowhere private to breastfeed. "I ended up standing in the bathroom of the courthouse nursing her. It was not good for either one of us" she says. "This made me realize that likely many other witnesses or victims attending court would be in the same situation and that every government building should have a quiet and private space for just this purpose."
Kerry's advice to new moms is practical and rooted in self-care.
"A relaxed mom means a relaxed baby. Fretting and stressing about it not working or about the milk not coming in to fill your baby is not going to magically help make the milk come in more." Instead, she recommends eating enough calories, drinking lots of water and trying to get sleep. "Being rested and happy, fed and hydrated, will help maintain positivity and enable your milk to come."
Kerry credits her husband, family, and community for helping her thrive.
"I had avery supportive, engaged, and patient husband. He would bring me water continuously as I nursed because I would get crazy thirsty in the middle of it. My neighbors and family and friends pitched in to bring me food, and visit, and allowed me to nurse right in front of them without making me feel self-conscious. I felt very fortunate!"
The Power of Education and Gentle Encouragement
Julie Skelding, PACT Parent
Julie describes her breastfeeding experience as a story of learning, practice and support.
"I was really lucky with my first — no problems at all. I had a friend in Ottawa who was a lactation consultant, and she helped me a lot" she says. But "With my daughter, things were more difficult in the beginning. I had really bad engorgement and she had trouble latching those first few days. My friend came in and helped, and thankfully we didn’t need to supplement. [...] Eventually she got the hang of it"
She emphasizes that breastfeeding is a skill both parent and baby must learn together.
"The biggest thing with breastfeeding is that you and the baby both have to learn how to do it. We don’t really talk about that anymore. I took a childbirth education course and also had the support of my friend who’s an LC, and that helped. But there’s definitely a learning curve — you need patience."
For Julie, support from a lactation consultant, doula, and pediatrician formed a vital network.
"Having that combination — the LC, the doula, and the pediatrician — meant I had both the emotional support and the physical reassurance that my babies were doing well. That made all the difference in my breastfeeding journey."
Her message to new parents is one of empowerment and confidence.
Learn as much as you can ahead of time, advocate for yourself, and be patient — "it will be painful at first, and it is work, but it’s worth it."
