She was particularly concerned about the positioning of the baby and milk production. Larger breasts do not always result in more milk production. In fact, Dina had read that it could possibly hinder.

Kathy and Dina are friends and work together. Kathy was very open with Dina about her breastfeeding experience and shared her success story working with Carol Chamblin. Kathy' said she only wished she had met Carol sooner. Dina and Carol had a 45 minute telephone consultation in Dina's third trimester. During that telephone conversation, Carol was able to begin building up Dina's confidence in being able to successfully breastfeed. Dina knew at that point, she had to work with Carol.

Dina attended Carol's Saturday Breastfeeding Class on December 13, 2003. The information Dina gained during the class, as well as meeting Carol face-to-face further built up Dina's confidence that she will be able to successfully breastfeed her baby.

On December 22, 2003, Dina had late in third trimester Ultra Sound to determine position and size of the baby. That is when Dina learned her baby was going to be tiny. The ultra sound measurements indicated that she was only at 5 lbs. With Dina's due date of January 9, 2004 quickly approaching and her history of hypertension, Dina's OB was not going to let her go past her due date.

Dina contacted Carol to give her an ETA on baby and the due date. Given the small size of the baby, Dina again began to worry about her large breast size and whether or not she was going to have success with breastfeeding. But knowing that Carol was going to be at the hospital during delivery to assist with the baby's initial latch eased Dina's concerns.

Dina went for her weekly appointment on December 29th when she learned she had absolutely no signs of going into labor, or that she was going to be a good candidate for labor induction. Her cervix was completely closed and posterior, absolutely no dilation, the only good news was that the baby was in the appropriate position. A very uncomfortable Dina came out of the appointment very discouraged and fearing a C-section was going to be a strong possibility if her body didn't start to cooperate over the next week. Those fears, however, were never realized.

Athena Lucille, weighing in at an even 6 lb's and measuring 18 inches long, was born at 1:01 AM on New Year's Eve, December 31, 2003 after 24 hours of labor. Carol was right there to get Athena latched onto my breast where she nursed colostrum for about 25 minutes or so. And it was from that point forward that Athena has nursed like a champ. Carol came out to Dina and Tim's on January 5th as a follow-up, and Athena had already gained back what she lost in the hospital. She was now taking in a good 2 and 3/4's of an ounce. Carol showed Dina some alternate positions using holding styles and pillows for support. Dina attended Mother's Tea in both February, March and April. At her 2 month check-up on March 3rd, Athena weighed an even 10 lb's and grew 3 and 3/4's of an inch to 21 3/4's of an inch long.

At 3 months Athena weighed just over 12 lb's, doubling her birth weight. A happy , she was nursing well!! And as an aside, Dina's milk production became more than adequate. The freezer photo shows she had now over 150, 4 ounce bags of milk frozen and ready for when Dina had to return to work in May. In addition to nursing throughout the day, Dina pumps both morning and evening, and Athena enjoys a daily bottle or two so that Tim, Grandma, and Aunties can get in on the feeding fun!!

Dina says couldn't have done it without Carol's assistance and support. "Just like you engage a professional for other aspects or your life, i.e.) a certified mechanic for your car, a qualified doctor and dentist for your health, all women who intend to breastfeed should definitely solicit the assistance and support of an International Board Certified Lactation Consultant, Carol Chamblin in particular. She is a true professional and a true friend!!, says Dina.