Finding My Group in Hualien, Taiwan

Fran Shio
Hualien Taiwan
From: NEW BEGINNINGS, Vol. 22 No. 2, March-April 2005, p. 75

I live in Hualien, Taiwan, where we are lucky to have a La Leche League Group. I joined LLL when my baby was one month old. Through meetings, my instincts were reinforced and I discovered the path to fulfilling motherhood. I learned how to treat my sore nipples and solve other breastfeeding problems. I really appreciate the help and support from Leaders and mothers I meet through LLL.

I'm able to identify with their natural approach to motherhood and we all have at least one thing in common: we chose breastfeeding as a building block for our children's lives. I'm glad I've learned so much about breastfeeding and parenting. Not only does it benefit my baby and me, it benefits my entire family.

I truly hope that Taiwan, known as "formula heaven," can achieve a higher breastfeeding rate. If the the sale of formula and formula advertisements were restricted, and if a growth curve for breastfed babies was added to parenting books, more mothers might be encouraged to breastfeed. I wish for all of them the same experience and support that I have received through breastfeeding.