If you could ask everyone in the world...

Welcome to The Breastfeeding Cafe Carnival! This post was written as part of The Breastfeeding Cafe's Carnival. For more info on the Breastfeeding Cafe, go to www.breastfeedingcafe.wordpress.com. For more info on the Carnival or if you want to participate, contact Claire at clindstrom2 {at} gmail {dot} com. Today's post is about breastfeeding and your online communities. Please read the other blogs in today's carnival listed below and check back for more posts July 18th through the 31st!

I'm truly amazed at what you find online. I have come to accept that the internet is my primary source for finding everything from a friend to talk to about a difficult situation to a replacement part for nearly anything. The internet is it. But what does the internet have to do with babies and breastfeeding?

When I had my babies, I realized something: Everybody has an opinion. Everyone who has ever had a baby has ideas about it and they are willing to share.

Being a mom is frustrating and trying, exhilarating, and confusing. People always ask about what book they should read to help with all their questions. I always say that there isn't one. One book is one person's opinon. It may work for you. It probably won't.

But the internet... the internet is EVERYONE's opinion. From Mommy bloggers to online question and answer forums, the internet has the answer to every question times a billion. Instead of one person's opinion, you get everyone's opinion. Post your frustration over latching on Babycenter.com and you get 50 answers. You can pick what works for you. Afraid to go out in public breastfeeding? Google it and find hundreds of wonderful pictures of moms breastfeeding in the sunshine with other people around. Feeling like a failure? Post your frustration on Facebook and all your friends will cheer you on. Fidn your local le leche league meeting. Get notices about upcoming nurse-ins.

The internet is a mom's best friend. I didn't use it to reach out when I started breastfeeding. I was in an online Master's Degree program and when I was done with my schoolwork, I didn't want to touch the computer. But, I wish I had.

After my program ended, I found so many great, supportive resources. I read the tweets of Dagmar Bleasdale and her breastfeeding support kept me going longer than I otherwise would have. I have always found solace through my blog and my friends on Facebook. Their cheering has helped so much. I now belong to an online single mommies group that has become a tight-knit community that is the most supportive group of friends I have never met.

I encourage every mom to look at the internet as part of your support crew. Breastfeeding is just one part of having a baby and having a baby does not come with an owner's manual. The best thing is to get a wide range of opinions and there is no better place for that (outside of a family reunion) than the internet.

  Here are more post by the Breastfeeding Cafe Carnival participants! Check back because more will be added throughout the day.

• Shelly @ Lousy Mom-If you could ask everyone in the world
• Ashley @ Adventures with my Monkeys-Breastfeeding Cafe Carnival Day 7: Online Breastfeeding
• Timbra @ Bosoms and Babes-What’s the Online Appeal?
• Sylko @ Chaotic Mama-Breastfeeding Cafe Carnival Day 7
• And of course the guest poster on the Breastfeeding Cafe’s blog today is Claire Lindstrom-Breastfeeding Online