Mother’s Day is the perfect time to reflect on the invaluable gifts mothers give us every day. It’s a moment to appreciate their unwavering support, endless love, and the countless sacrifices they make. For Michelle Fabisch, growing up with a mother deeply immersed in the world of breastfeeding, motherhood and maternal care were not just concepts, but a way of life. Her story is a testament to the enduring gift of a mother’s guidance, especially during the challenging yet beautiful journey of breastfeeding. This Mother’s Day, let’s explore how the most meaningful gifts are often the intangible ones, like knowledge, support, and love, as exemplified by Michelle’s experience.
From her earliest memories, Michelle’s home was filled with the imagery and discussions of breastfeeding. Her mother, Ilene Fabisch, is an International Board Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC) and a long-time La Leche League Leader. This immersive environment wasn’t just her mother’s profession; it was a deeply ingrained part of their family life. Michelle fondly recalls being included in her mother’s conferences and meetings, absorbing knowledge and developing a profound understanding of breastfeeding long before she even considered having children. This early exposure was an incredible gift, laying the foundation for her own motherhood journey.
When Michelle became pregnant, she envisioned a smooth and natural breastfeeding experience. After all, she had been around it her entire life. Her pregnancy and delivery were, in many ways, idyllic. Her water broke while having lunch with her parents, labor progressed naturally at home, and she arrived at the hospital significantly dilated. Eight hours later, Arava Kai was born via a natural water birth, weighing a healthy 8 pounds, 2 ounces. Everything seemed perfect, setting the stage for what she hoped would be an equally perfect breastfeeding journey.
However, the reality of breastfeeding presented unexpected hurdles. Despite her upbringing and anticipation, Arava struggled to latch. Michelle had been warned about an inverted nipple, but she hadn’t anticipated it would pose such a challenge. The first few days were a blur of frustration and worry. Even the hospital lactation consultant seemed hesitant to offer extensive advice, perhaps aware of Michelle’s mother’s expertise. Leaving the hospital, Michelle’s milk hadn’t fully come in, and Arava needed nourishment. This is where the true gift of her mother’s experience and foresight became undeniably clear.
Understanding the urgency, Ilene, with her connections from years of work in lactation support, made an emergency call to the milk bank, which she had been involved with since its inception. The very next day, Michelle and her family were able to pick up donor milk. This access to donor milk was an incredible gift, bridging the gap while they navigated Arava’s latching difficulties. Using a supplemental nursing system (SNS) at-breast, Arava received the vital nourishment she needed, providing peace of mind during a stressful time.
For about a week, donor milk was an essential part of Arava’s feeding journey. It bought Michelle and Arava precious time to work on latching. They explored various techniques – herbal teas, lactation cookies, different nursing holds – all with Ilene’s expert guidance. Ultimately, a nipple shield proved to be the key. Fittingly, Arava finally mastered latching during their annual La Leche League Labor Day camping trip, surrounded by a community of breastfeeding advocates, a testament to the ongoing support system Michelle’s mother provided.
Now, at 20 months old, Arava is a thriving toddler and a proficient nurser, fully embracing the active “toddler gymnastic nursing phase.” Reflecting on her journey, Michelle cherishes the experience of nursing her daughter, an experience that is every bit as special as she had always imagined. While Michelle acknowledges the countless ways her mother has enriched her life, she recognizes that one of the most profound gifts has been the knowledge and unwavering support she received throughout her motherhood journey.
This Mother’s Day, consider what truly makes a gift meaningful. Sometimes, the most valuable gifts aren’t found in stores, but in the enduring support, knowledge, and love passed down from mothers to daughters. Michelle and Arava’s story beautifully illustrates this. It’s a reminder that celebrating mothers is about acknowledging these profound, often intangible, gifts that shape our lives. This year, perhaps the most thoughtful gift you can give to a mom is to honor her legacy of support and love. Consider making a donation in her name to organizations that support mothers and babies, like the Mothers’ Milk Bank Northeast, and extend the gift of maternal care to other families in need. This Mother’s Day, let’s celebrate the enduring gift of motherhood in all its forms.
