After I graduated from secondary school I wasn't accepted to university, so I had to work for a year. I was very lucky that destiny threw me in at the deep end: I was employed in a child psychiatry, where children from the age of four to eighteen with serious psychiatric problems were treated. I learnt there, that I am able to sympathize with those seeking help, and accept their differences.
I enrolled to university next year, and finally graduated as a psychologist. During my study years, I gave birth to my three sons, who provided me with practical experience. While I was writing my thesis, I made interviews with eighty mothers about childbirth and breastfeeding. I became convinced that not the mother herself, rather the proper breastfeeding method, as well as the help and emotional support provided for breastfeeding is responsible for breastfeeding to last as long as it is good for the mother and the child.
I was working as a journalist while I was on maternity leave. My steady topics were – and still are – pregnancy and the first years after birth: parent-child relationship, upbringing and breastfeeding. I joined the Hungarian Association for Breastfeeding, where I have the opportunity to work together with experienced professionals, I have access to the latest technical literature, and I can participate in conferences abroad.
Within the framework of MÉRCE association, I worked in the project that surveyed the obstetrical wards in Hungary. Our work resulted in publishing two instalments of Guide to Childbirth (later the title Where is the best place to give birth? while I was working for Sanoma Publisher,) which has helped thousands of families to get a line on advice regarding childbirth, obstetrics practices and events surrounding delivery (psychological changes, breastfeeding etc.)
My daughter, who was born in 1999, enjoyed the fruits of my experience and knowledge. Beside taking care of my child, I kept on working as a journalist, managed a moms club, led the conversation on breastfeeding for a day of the course organised by Alternatal Foundation, and also worked as a breastfeeding adviser for an internet service. I have still performed these duties, and additionally, I gained the title IBCLC (International Board Certified Lactation Consultant) in 2003, hence I can look upon myself officially as a lactation consultant.
As an editor of Kismama Magazin (Moms Magazine), I encounter questions concerning baby care, upbringing, breastfeeding daily. These, by their nature, must be given up-to-date answers. Telephone helpline is a a part of my everyday life: I receive calls from all over the country, even from abroad. At present, I am the lactation consultant at the obstetrics of Uzsoki Hospital.
I feel that the factual knowledge gained during my studies, the information attained from families and mothers, and more than nineteen years of being a practicing parent helps a lot in my work.
Judit Ferenc
Judit Szody
Dudi Júlia Somlai
Szabó Anna Eszter
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