Jen McColl, mother of five, has a cause. As the leader of Huntsville’s La Leche League group, she wants new and expecting moms to know there is support available for those who choose to breastfeed.

Breastfeeding has an initiation rate of 80 per cent in hospitals, she explains, but by the time babies are six months old that rate is down to 18 per cent. This is despite the fact that the recommendation from the World Health Organization is to breastfeed exclusively for six months and continue for two years and beyond.

“To be able to do that, you need the support of another mother who has done it,” says McColl.

The Baysville woman says she was lucky that she had no problems breastfeeding her first two children, the eldest of whom is now 14. However, with her third child it was a different story.

“It was very hard,” she says.  “If I hadn’t had my first two, I wouldn’t have stuck with it.”

McColl, originally from Montreal, became a La Leche League member 12 years ago when she was pregnant with her second child. “A doctor said I couldn’t be pregnant and breastfeeding at the same time, and I looked for support,” she explained.

She started working toward becoming a group leader when she became pregnant with her youngest daughter, who is now two.

“The closest group was in Bracebridge, and I thought it would be good to have one in Huntsville,” she said.

To become a La Leche League leader, she says, a woman must have breastfed for at least a year, agree with the organization’s 10 basic principles and take preparatory course. The entire process took about a year.

Now between five and eight moms attend the monthly meetings, where McColl helps them deal with the physical and societal challenges of breastfeeding.

She feels passionate about the work she does. “Breastfeeding is healthier for the baby,” she explains, “and promotes a bond between mom and baby which is important. It helps the baby be more secure.”

McColl, who moved to Baysville eight years ago with her educator husband, Doug,  always wanted a big family. She worked for four years as a nanny, and even before having children she knew she wanted to stay home with them.

“We felt it was important to do that,” she says, adding, “I enjoy being home. We have dinner together every night. And it’s nice to have a big family, lots of fun.”

A typical day in the McColl household begins around 5:30 a.m. when Bronwyn, the littlest member of the family, wakes up. After a cup of tea, McColl  rouses Steven and Daron, who are in grades 9 and 8 respectively, and gets them  ready for school.

Her husband, who is also a volunteer firefighter, is out the door by 7:15. She and Bronwyn walk to bus stop with the boys then return home to wake up Owen and Morgan, who are homeschooled.

McColl says she really enjoys homeschooling. “I feel like I really know my own kids,” she explains. “The boys come home and share things they might not have if they had always been at school.”

Most of each morning is devoted to schoolwork. McColl says the girls follows same textbooks as those in their grade are using at school, and Bronwyn has her own “school book” with stickers in it so she doesn’t feel left out.

During the afternoon, there is time for walks, swimming  and other fun activities.

One day, though, is different from the others.  

“We don’t miss a Thursday at the Baysville drop-in,” McColl says. “It’s a nice change for the kids, and social time for me, too.”

She notes that stay-at-home moms can sometimes feel isolated.

“Sometimes the only other adult I talk to is my husband,” she explains. “It’s good to have other moms to share with.”

Evenings are hectic due to  sports and other activities, but the McColls try to have some family time every weekend.

“It’s busy,” she says,“but we love it.”

Is there someone you’d like to see profiled in this space? Please call Paula at 789-5541 or e-mail  pboon@metrolandnorthmedia.com.