Helping mothers breastfeed their babies – that’s what I do. I love it and I can’t ever see myself working outside of this profession – I am hooked, or maybe latched is a better term? Ok, sorry for the cheesy joke, I just couldn’t resist. 
Recently I have had the opportunity to help a couple of friends who hit a few snags in establishing their breastfeeding relationships with their newborns, who were for both of them, their second babies. The experience of breastfeeding is different with every child. Sometimes the birth story plays a role in how breastfeeding gets started, other times there are unforeseen circumstances like a the baby has tongue-tie. The bottom line is, every baby redefines the experience for his/her mother, no matter how experienced she may be at breastfeeding. Years ago, I met a mom who had eight children at the very first La Leche League meeting I ever attended. She had no problems breastfeeding the first seven of her babies, but the eighth one presented some challenges, issues she had not encountered despite breastfeeding for over a decade! You just never know what might come with each baby.
Recently I was asked by a follower on Facebook:
“Do you have any success stories of mothers NOT breastfeeding their first couple children but successfully doing so with their last? I had three children and for various reasons did not breastfeed any of them. By the time the third one came around it was so overwhelming and complicated to TRY and start something new with her because I knew what had worked so well with the first two (formula). I do not have a fourth “cooking” or plans anytime soon but just have been thinking about it recently and was curious if there were stories like that rather than just the ones of “oh yeah I struggled for ‘such and such’ weeks then got the hang of it.” How about not working with kid # 1 or kid #2 but managing it w kid #3….”
I re-posted this question to the wall and moms started sharing their experiences, many fitting the description above. One mom said, “I was unsuccessful with my first. I didn’t know the things I do now. I didnt know about all the help out there. Now I do and we are still nursing at 6mos and have no plans for stopping. She will wean herself, when shes ready.” Another mother replied, “I pumped exclusively for the first 6 months with my older daughter, and then used formula after that. With my younger daughter, I was determined to nurse, so I used lots of resources: pediatrician, lactation consultant, support groups, and just pushed through the first few weeks. I also didn’t have formula around the house as a back-up plan!” None of the mothers achieved their breastfeeding goals the first time around, but that made them even more determined to make it work the next time.
Stephanie Casemore's book, Breastfeeding, Take Two
Then I realized that there was a great resource for moms like this one – a new book published late last year titled, Breastfeeding, Take Two: Successful Breastfeeding the Second Time Around. I remembered seeing an interview article with the author, Stephanie Casemore last fall on Motherlove Herbal Company’s blog, and then was lucky enough to catch Stephanie’s eye with the “Peace Love Breastfeeding” shirt shortly thereafter, which allowed me to make contact with her. When this question came up last week, it just took a quick email exchange to make this giveaway happen. Stephanie very generously and kindly offered to give away a copy of her book to help celebrate MamaPear Designs reaching a milestone of our own – 1000 fans on our Facebook page. It is an honor to be able to give a follower this book, because one of the most important variables in the success of the breastfeeding relationship is maternal confidence.
Because we love our followers we are also going to give the winner a $50.00 gift certificate to spend in the MamaPear Designs online store. We appreciate every follower and love connecting with you all. Thank you for your support and for participating – I look forward to a future of greater acceptance for breastfeeding mothers and more support as we try to awaken our culture to what is normal, natural feeding of our children at its most basic level.
To enter to win, please leave a comment on this post. This entry is required in order to be entered to win both the book and the gift certificate.
For one additional entry (limit two entries per person) please like Breastfeeding Take Two on Facebook, and let her know MamaPear Designs sent you! Then come back here to post a second comment stating you followed Stephanie’s page on Facebook for your second entry. If you already follow her Facebook page, then just leave a second comment (must be a second comment to be counted) stating you already “like” her page.
Contest starts at midnight March 23, 2012, and ends at midnight March 29, 2012. One winner will be notified via email and will have 3 days to respond to claim his/her prize!
WINNER: Melissa Eldridge
3/29/2012
Congrats Melissa! We are thrilled to have oyu as our winner. We thank everyone who commented and shared their story and hope that you will spread the word about Stephanie’s book, Breastfeeding, Take Two, and more importantly help support another mother with your own stories! Melissa please email Lara: info@mamapeardesigns.com to claim your awesome prize!
Additional breastfeeding resources can be found at BEST for BABES – the only non-profit dedicated to beating the booby traps™ – the barriers to breastfeeding- that prevent parents from making an informed feeding decision and prevents moms from achieving their personal breastfeeding goals whether those are for 2 days, 2 months, 2 years or not at all.
Wonderful giveaway!
I have 4 children and am currently still nursing my 19 mo son. Things were much different with my girls, now 9, 8, and 6. I was so uneducated about breastfeeding and while I loved my doctor that I had at the time, she never really gave up much info on it even though she breastfed her babies as well. With my oldest, it HURT to nurse…just HURT. I had no idea why but she told me it would only hurt for the first few days. Well it didn’t stop so I started pumping which didn’t hurt and gave it to her exclusively that way. I never had so much as a clue that I had to do it often enough to keep up my supply. I was literally clueless. Eventually it tapered off and I lost my supply. I also wasn’t educated on just how massively beneficial and nutritional breastmilk is. The same thing happened with my second daughter. With my third, I went back to work after 2 weeks due to no paid maternity leave and not being able to afford staying home. My supply tanked shortly after going back to work. I was still clueless and was even more clueless about where to turn. I was also clueless about the fact that I had options. All three of them ended up being formula fed after just a few short months. Well, when my son was about a month old, again, still kinda clueless. I also had work, full-time school and 3 other kids. I had a BUSY life. I didn’t breastfeed him as often as I should have but rather pumped and had daddy give it to him in bottles due to other kids needing to be taken care of, homework/housework to be done, etc. Before I knew it, my supply was taking a nosedive again. So I *STUPIDLY* bought a can of formula and told myself it’d be the only one just so I could work at getting my supply back. Boy was I WRONG. That turned into six months of formula-filled hell and I was very close to losing my supply completely. I almost fell in a depression I was so sick over it. Well, I went to a few La Leche League meetings, talked to my new doctor, and funny enough, turned to Twitter. There I found a WEALTH of breastfeeding mamas willing to help. Honestly, if it weren’t for Twitter, I’d have given up again. Diana West lent a listening ear and helped me as well. She basically told me not matter what, when that baby is hungry, I have to drop whatever it is I’m doing and nurse him. I listened and I did. That was 14 months ago and I haven’t given my son formula in over a year. I cried the first day I could actually bring a bag of MY milk to church with my son so they could feed him in the nursery instead of a bottle of water and a couple scoops of formula. We are still going strong and we will stop when WE want to
“Like” Breastfeeding Take Two on Facebook: check!
(or Take Four in my case) lol
I love hearing stories from moms who gave it a second go and found success.
Oh! And liked her page as well!
Wonderful giveaway & congrats on reaching 1000!! I would love to win this book to donate to the local LLL chapter. The GC would of course, be for me
I went & liked Stephanie’s page on FB!
Awesome giveaway!!! Finger crossed!!!
I liked Breastfeeding Take Two!!!
I am an example of a Take 2 mom. My breastfeeding journey with my first baby didn’t go very smooth. Though he received mommy’s milk for 13 months, he was mainly on formula and bottle fed. We fought hard to make it as far as we did. The second time around has been easier and I’m proud to say we are 100% mommy’s milk. The best part is that I am breastfeeding after a reduction. It is possible!! We are proof times two!!
I am pregnant with my third child, my two children are 14 and 16 so it has been a long time since I breast fed a baby. I would love to win this prize for a refresher. Thanks for this contest and good luck to everyone
Even though I haven’t read the book yet, I’ve already recommended it to several people
I’d love to have it as a resource for breastfeeding support.
Awesome designs and a great contest!!
I hope I win!!
“Like” Breastfeeding Take Two on Facebook
While I only have one baby (so far!) nursing was very difficult for us in the first months. But now at 7 months, we are doing great and have no plans to stop anytime soon!
I would love to win the book! I work at a store that sells breastfeeding supplies, and think it would be a great encouragement to be able to recommend this book to women who are trying for take 2!
I liked the book on Facebook.
I’ve nursed both my children and felt like I was one of the only ones in my area doing it. Now I have paved the way and more and more women I know are also breastfeeding. It’s wonderful to have broken down those barriers and helped to put a positive light on something that is so natural and normal. Love your products and what you do to normalize breastfeeding!!
This is a terrific contest, thank you for the opportunity to win! <3
My first was a c-section. I didn’t see her for two hours and she was given a bottle in recovery without my permission. We didn’t succeed at nursing.
My second was also a c-section, but I begged to have her in recovery. They brought her to me within the first hour for about fifteen minutes and she latched! We are still nursing now and she will be two years on Sunday!
I would love to win!
Liked Breastfeeding Take Two page on FB!
I have “liked” Stephanie’s page…thank you for letting me know about it, I am actually VERY interested in her book (I couldn’t have learned about it at a better time…about to give birth to my second child) and I really hope to win it! Thank you for the opportunity!
I bf my daughter now 2 for 14 m my son well he was a different story. He’s now 9 m n I’m ep for him. Nursed (non happily) for 7m. I had supply issues, but no one believed me. Everyone said he had a dairy allergy… When really he cried all the time bc he was hungry not In pain…. Fingers crossed I wanna win!
Liked on fb
I was a take 2 mommy… and with #2 we made it to 16mo BF’ing and i pumped another 2 months after that….
LOVE IT!
I liked their page…I would have ages ago if i’d seen it. and told them who sent me.
Love that there is so much support out there for breastfeeding moms.
2nd post: I liked her page and commented on her wall.
New follower to Breastfeeding, Take Two
I love your posts on Facebook, they have supported me through beginning my journey of breastfeeding, and they are slowly turning me into a breastfeeding advocate! How can I not be one? If I don’t do my best to normalize breastfeeding how will other mothers have the confidence to and how will we achieve this goal?! Thank you for your support!
Breastfeeding, take two follower! Looking forward to reading the posts!
I thought I had liked the FB page already, but apparently not! I have now
I’m a “take 2″ mom… I tried breastfeeding with my first, but ended up pumping for about two months then switching to formula. With my second, I educated myself more, and we’ve been nursing exclusively for almost a month now, with many more to come!
I already like breastfeeding take two on fb from entering to win a giveaway before. I wasn’t successful then; hoping I am this time!
I love Mamapear Designs!
And I’ve “liked” Breastfeeding Take Two as well. For me, it was Take Three!
I know two mommies who wanted to breastfeed and then didn’t get the support they needed with their firsts. One exclusively pumped and the other thought that she couldn’t lactate and went to formula. I would love to give them the hope that they can breastfeed if they choose to have another baby.
I liked the Breastfeeding Take Two FB page.
So excited for this generous give away!!
Awesome contest!! I struggled for months with my first daughter, but thankfully nursed successfully for 18 months. Going much better this time around… 10 months and going strong! This book would be wonderful for my dear friend who is struggling with baby #2, now 4 days old.
Liked on FB!!
I love the questions you’ve been posting lately, used the one about SNS successes to really encourage a new mom!
I likes breastfeeding take two. Yay!
O I was suppose to comment here! Mommy brain? Thanks for being an amazing contributor to the human race. You have done wonders for this family. We love & appreciate what you do!
Thanks, mama pear!
I would LOOOOVEE to win! I love MamaPear Designs!
I liked Breastfeeding Take Two on Facebook!
I only breastfeed my oldest for a few short months. I was young and didn’t have any support. With my daughter I was determined to breastfeed for a year. We got off to a very rocky start. My milk didn’t arrive when it should have, she wouldn’t latch, we used the SNS system but she would just suck on the tube. She eventually latched but then I got really sick before she was a month old and my milk supply dropped drastically. My husband was the one that kept me going, we had a system, she would get 2oz of formula then I would nurse her then top her off with 2 more ounces of formula. This continues until she no longer needed formula. At about 3 months old she was exclusively breastfed. My little nursling is 15 months old and still nurses about 4 times a day. We will continue until she is ready to wean. I love breastfeeding!!
I ‘liked’ Breastfeeding takes 2 on FB!
Awesome giveaway! Love your website
“liked” Breastfeeding, Take Two!
I would love this book! I’m a mama of two and a doula. Due to many unforeseen circumstances and a traumatic birth experience, my oldest daughter never breastfed. I was able to nurse my second child, thanks to an amazing birth experience and support, but it was still challenging. I would love to be able to share this book with other mamas, so that they can have a positive successful breastfeeding relationship!
Expecting baby #2 this summer so really would be a blessing. Thanks
I liked her fan page on fb and let her know you sent me (Cindy Bazzel).
liked Breastfeeding, Take 2 on FB!
Breastfeeding my second son and I’m hoping to go much longer and be more successful this time. Please choose me!
Went and “liked”/commented on her page!
I am a lactation educator. I would love to read this book do I can understand the challenges for second time breastfeeders.
Liked breastfeeding take two
I would love to gift this book to a friend of mine. She is very interested in breastfeeding. She formula fed her first 2 after c-sections and is now looking into vbac and breastfeeding. I am excited for her and will be sharing this post with her. This book would also make a wonderful addition to the local LLL library!
Liked Take Two on Facebook
I am a mother of 2 with my 3rd due in less than two weeks. I plan to breastfeed this baby as well and hope that I can continue to pump when I go back to work in 4 months. I love all of the encouragement and wonderful stories of breastfeeding success from your website and products.
Thank you for providing so much support to mamas out there!
Liked the breast feeding take two page
Thanks so much for the work you do in helping all moms to successfully breastfeed. You are such an unwavering source of support!! I’d love to win this gift certificate so I can wear a MP shirt when I volunteer at the LLL booth at our local arts fair! Thanks for the chance.
I like the BFing Take Two page!
My son has had several issues, including: tongue tie, very poor suck reflux, GERD. Pumping and lots of kangaroo care has kept my supply up. At four months, he is greatly improving and latching on!
I love your facebook pages and thank you for being a resource for moms like me!
Hopefully, I’ll be the lucky winner!
Stephanie, I already “liked” Breastfeeding Take Two on Facebook!
I would love to win the gift card and book, and love the idea of another commenter re:donating the book to my local LLL chapter’s library. I have been very fortunate in that nursing my second has been a breeze (though I may be doing an elimination diet soon–the actual nursing part has come easy) but my first was a major struggle. We only managed to maintain a nursing relationship because I surrounded myself in support–something that’s hard to do in a formula feeding world! I have a lot of love for any mother/baby pair that gives breastfeeding their every effort.
I also liked the Facebook page
Would love to win this for a friend who is pregnant with her 2nd baby!
I didn’t nurse my first daughter but I’m determined to nurse the second child. I didn’t have a support system and my doctor was no help. We live in a different state, and I’m surrounded my several mom friends that nurse and had struggles too that I know I can count on when I’m having trouble or needing support.
Almost forgot to come back and post that I “liked” Breastfeeding Take Two on Facebook. I told them you sent me!
I would love to win! I heard about this book months ago and plan to get it when I decide to have another baby!
Love this giveaway and would be happy to share the winnings with new moms that need a boost in their breastfeeding journey!
I already “like” the breastfeeding take two fb page, that’s where I heard about your site and the giveaway
Liked both Breastfeeding: Take Two and MamaPears Designs
Love this giveaway!
Breastfeeding take two is an amazing book. I had no luck with my first daughter but my second daughter and I just passes the 6 month mark with only mamas milk!!
Already like bft2 on fb
unique info and products:)
Liking this post! Love all the stories.
Thank you for providing a great resource for the community. I nursed twins until they self weaned at 14 months. One was super easy the other was over 5 weeks before he latched dispite being full term. Ever child is different.
Like BFtake 2 and mamapear
I look forward to reading this book~!
Oh, and I “liked” the page!
Followed Stephanie’s fb page!
Awesome giveaway thanks for the chance!
What a great giveaway! Thanks for the opportunity & congrats on 1000 likes! I’m just starting the weaning process with my 14.5 month old daughter, but I know many mommas who have endured different challenges with different children. I am committed to breastfeeding future babies to the best of my ability.
What a wonderful giveaway! And I love your company – I can see why you love what you do!
I ‘like’ breastfeeding, take two on fb
What a great giveaway!! Congrats on 1k fans!! <3
I am very interested to read this book! I was very successful in breastfeeding my first child and I worry about what it will be like with the second child!
I like “Breastfeeding, Take Two” on FB!
Also, I like Stephanie’s Facebook page.
I love how everyone has a story, and everyone’s story is so unique and personal. This book sounds amazing and I can’t wait to get my hands on a copy!!
I love the idea of a book specifically geared toward second (third, fourth, etc) babies.. It can be a different kind of challenging than the first.
I ‘liked’ Stephanie’s page.
My older sister has 5 kids, she didn’t bf the first 4 but when I had my daughter only a few weeks before she had her daughter she was inspired to breastfeed her. I think the positive energy, the support, and most of all the level of comfort made it all possible.
Both of my kids have been breastfed but I would LOVE to have this book to loan out to friends who had trouble the first go round!
I like her page!
After not BF my first two baby boys, I decided this was something I really, really wanted to do (for both him and myself), for my third son. It was so hard from the very beginning. It was so sad to say, that I only had the real support of my LC (not really any Dr.). He and myself struggled with an improper latch for 5-6 weeks, nipple blanching, and very low supply since day #1. My doctor was never fully there for me, when I needed him, for help with supply issues. I was the one asking to try this or that. Then, when he decided he didn’t feel comfortable giving me my Domperidone anymore because it isn’t something he tyically uses, I went ahead and contacted Dr. Newman and ordered my own supply from over seas. Needless to say, no one is now following me or supporting me when I need them, because my son is “well at the age of weaning and needs to be finished.” Sad…. He’ll be 12 months in 1 week