Lauren’s Story, Part 9: VA is a Supporter of Breastfeeding

Written by: Lauren – Guest Blogger sharing her perspective as a VA employee and patient during her second pregnancy.

Baby Hunter and I are doing very well. I am entering my third trimester so I am getting very excited! My four year old is getting very excited as well, and has even asked me if the baby could sleep in his room.

I had to explain to him why he would not want a newborn sleeping in his room, and I also explained that the baby will be sleeping in a bassinet next to Mommy and Daddy for a few weeks.

This will help baby Hunter and I work on breastfeeding. Breastfeeding is proven to be best for babies and mommies, but it does take a lot of work and requires a lot of support. I was honestly very surprised to learn that VA highly supports women Veterans breastfeeding their babies.

I had a hard time breastfeeding my first son. My husband left on deployment when our baby was 2 weeks old and I had a really hard time finding the support I needed to continue after he left. I want this time to be different. This time I don’t have any deployment stress, I have more family in the area and I know more about the support organizations in the community.

I am very lucky to be a part of an organization, both as an employee and as a Veteran, that promotes and supports breastfeeding. It is unfortunate that not all women receive the same type of support.

August 1 kicks off World Breastfeeding Week. To learn more about how VA supports breastfeeding, please click here.

About Lauren

Lauren is a Navy Veteran and current Public Affairs Specialist at the Martinsburg VA Medical Center in West Virginia. Throughout her second pregnancy, she will be sharing her thoughts and experiences as a patient at VA. We are all excited to follow her on this healthcare journey!