Michelle Fabisch shares a touching story of motherhood, highlighting how the greatest gift she ever received was the unwavering support and knowledge passed down from her own mother, especially during her breastfeeding journey. This Mother’s Day, let’s explore the invaluable gifts mothers give and receive, focusing on the essence of nurturing care and love.
A Legacy of Lactation Love: Mom’s Enduring Gift
From her earliest memories, Michelle’s home was filled with the language of lactation and motherhood. Her mother, Ilene Fabisch, an IBCLC and long-time La Leche League Leader, immersed Michelle in a world where breastfeeding was celebrated and supported. “Stuffed boobs and dolls were staples,” Michelle recalls, emphasizing how deeply her mother’s passion influenced her upbringing. Ilene wasn’t just a mother; she was a mentor, bringing Michelle along to conferences and meetings, gifting her with a lifetime of knowledge and understanding about breastfeeding even before Michelle considered motherhood herself. This early exposure was an immeasurable gift, shaping Michelle’s perspective and preparing her for her own journey.
Navigating the Unexpected Turns of Breastfeeding: A Mother’s Gift of Resilience
Michelle envisioned a smooth entry into breastfeeding, especially with her extensive background knowledge. Her pregnancy and water birth seemed idyllic, a “perfect” experience culminating in the arrival of her daughter, Arava Kai. However, the reality of breastfeeding presented unexpected hurdles. Despite her preparation, Arava struggled to latch, a challenge intensified by Michelle’s inverted nipple. The initial days were a blur of difficulty and uncertainty. Even with her mother’s expertise readily available, and the hospital lactation consultant’s hesitant approach (perhaps due to knowing Ilene’s credentials), Michelle faced the common yet daunting struggles many new mothers encounter. This period highlighted the often-unspoken reality: even with knowledge and desire, breastfeeding can be challenging, requiring resilience and support – gifts in themselves.
Donor Milk: A Mother’s Day Gift of Nourishment and Peace of Mind
Recognizing Arava’s need for nourishment before Michelle’s milk fully came in, Ilene took swift action. Leveraging her past connection with the forming milk bank, she arranged an emergency supply of donor milk. This act was more than just providing food; it was a profound gift of peace of mind during a stressful time. “The milk bank gave me peace of mind while we struggled,” Michelle acknowledges. For about a week, donor milk, administered through an SNS at-breast supplementer, bridged the gap, allowing Michelle and Arava time to learn and adapt. This exemplifies a crucial, often unseen gift for mothers facing breastfeeding challenges: access to resources and support systems that can alleviate pressure and provide essential nourishment when needed most.
The Enduring Gift of Motherly Guidance and Love
Michelle and Arava persevered, exploring various techniques, from herbal teas to lactation cookies, finally finding success with a nipple shield for about a month. Fittingly, Arava mastered latching during their annual La Leche League Labor Day camping trip, a testament to the supportive environment her mother cultivated. Now, with Arava at 20 months and a “pro nurser,” Michelle reflects on the journey with deep gratitude. Nursing her daughter has become the special experience she always envisioned. Looking back, Michelle recognizes that her mother’s greatest gift wasn’t just immediate help during those initial challenging days, but a lifetime of preparation, knowledge, and unwavering support.
This Mother’s Day, Michelle’s story reminds us that the most cherished gifts for moms are not always material possessions. They are the gifts of knowledge, support, access to resources like donor milk, and most importantly, the enduring love and guidance from one generation to the next. Just as Michelle honors her mother, consider the special women who have supported you on your parenting journey or in your life. A meaningful “gift for Mom’s Day” could be a donation to Mothers’ Milk Bank Northeast, honoring a special person while supporting an organization that provides crucial gifts of nourishment and health to babies in need. This Mother’s Day, consider giving a gift that truly embodies the spirit of motherhood: support, love, and the gift of well-being.
