My Story

Deborah C

I am a proud radical breast-feeder. I breastfed my first child for 2 years until he quit on his own. I am still breastfeeding my almost 3 year old. I will tell you now, he would not be alive today if I was not still giving him the benefit of breast milk.

It started out very rocky for the two of us. Devon was born tongue tied. For the first two months of his life, while I was looking for a physician to cut his frenulum, I was determined to not give up breastfeeding. I would nurse for 20 minutes on each side, give Devon a bottle of formula, then pump my breasts for an additional 20 minutes. I would rest for half an hour or so, then it would start all over again. I was so happy the day he had his frenulum cut. Finally, I was able to get Devon fully off the bottle. He had always been a voracious eater, and he just enjoyed the breast so much. He still does.

When Devon was about a year old, I went to help my mother in law care for her other two grandchildren who had been removed from their mother for various reasons. The youngest one was only 6 weeks old. My mother-in-law and I decided that the breast milk I had would help his immune system, he seemed to always be getting sick. I had helped to breastfeed his brother 2 years earlier when his mother had an un-diagnosed retained placenta, so it was no problem. I was very proud to be able to tandem nurse my son and nephew at the same time. He gained weight and began having fewer illnesses. He eventually went back to his mother at about 5 months, but he has thrived since.

A year and a half ago, my mom bought a house for me. I was happy and moved in with both of my children. A month after moving in, my youngest son began getting sick. I encouraged him to breastfeed more, but nothing seemed to help, or so it seemed at the time. Devon had such a hard time. He was sick all the time. The doctors would put him on antibiotics, then four days after they were finished, Devon would be back on them. He was on antibiotics 15 time within less than a year. In February of 2001, we found out that we had extensive toxic mold contamination. From the research I have done, I found out that the molds we had found in our home completely destroy the immune system. The antibodies my body was creating due to my exposure to the molds, were passed on to Devon in my breast milk. My milk saved his life, and is continuing to do so. His T-cells are still not great, but they have slowed their decline.

Devon is still alive, despite the doctors still not having a diagnosis or a treatment plan. My older son had a very strong immune system from my nursing him, he was the least affected. We all still have a long recovery in front of us, but where we are is proof enough that breast milk saves lives. The are many children, especially the ones from Cleveland Ohio, who were not so lucky. They died of pulmonary hemosidreosis from exposure to toxic molds. My heart goes out to those little ones, and my thanks go to my own family who have encouraged me to continue nursing my son even into his toddler years.

I encourage everyone to breasfeed. You never know what may happen in ones life that might be preventable through natures gift to us all. I hope my story encourages you, and gives you the courage to do what your heart tells you to do. You may just save thelife of someone you love.

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