Babies are born to breast-feed. I always knew I wanted to breast-feed my own children.

When I had my first baby, Jordan, things didn't start off as smoothly as I had hoped. I remember being in tears wondering what I was doing wrong. I desperately wanted to nurse my baby but I was so tired and frustrated and didn't know what to do.

Contributed photo (ENLARGE)

Aaren Toney received support that allowed her to breast-feed her sons Garrett, left, and Jordan.

Breast-feeding is a learning time for both mom and baby. Although many moms have no problems in the beginning, some, like me, do and need lots of support and encouragement.

Thankfully, a few days after coming home from the hospital I received a home visit from Breast-feeding Peer Counselor Donna Brooks from the Pitt County Health Department. She helped me with positioning and other tips and answered my questions and concerns as well as offered lots of support and encouragement. I probably would have given up without her help and support. She continued to offer her support throughout those first few months of breast-feeding.

She also pointed me to the breast-feeding support group at Pitt County Memorial Hospital and the local La Leche League in Greenville. Both of these groups were vital to my continuing to breast-feed as well as the source of my confidence I developed in being a new mom. These groups allowed me to hear other moms testify how breast-feeding gets much easier in time which is what I really needed to hear. I was able to come and ask questions to other moms who had been in my shoes and moved on.

I am so thankful for the support I found here in Greenville. I am still currently involved in La Leche League and now am able to give the same advice and encouragement I received when I was a new mom searching for answers and support.

Breast-feeding is such a bonding time for me and my babies. I love knowing I have been able to give them the best start in life. I am so glad I didn't give up in those first few weeks. I went on to nurse Jordan for 13 months and I am still nursing my second son, Garrett, 19 months.

I am now expecting my third son in August and it is comforting to know, if problems do arise, I have people to turn to for help.

Aaren Toney of Greenville is the mother of Garrett, 19 months, and Jordan, 3, and wife of Bill Toney.

World Breast-feeding Week Celebration

The Pitt County Breast-feeding Advisory Council will hold a "World Breast-feeding Week Celebration," with information on resources available in Pitt County, from 1-4 p.m. Aug. 9 at the Pitt County Agricultural Center, 403 Government Circle. Call Donna Brooks at 902-2381.