WIESBADEN, Germany -- When Olivia Wilde, Gisele Bündchen and Gwen Stefani do it, it seems glamorous and looks like it's a piece of cake.

But some less renowned mothers might say that while nursing one's child is naturally beautiful, it may require a little more than what's being purported; but the advantages to the child and mother are well worth it.

"It is a learning curve, but it's worth it for the benefit for the child … and you'll be glad you stuck with it," said Carina Schmidt, mother. She said she knew she would breast-feed her son once he was born, but she had to overcome some challenges that would likely discourage a mother who might not be as committed to nursing.

"I knew I wanted to do it. I didn't know anything about breast-feeding," said Amy Gurule, who credits a NICU nurse for showing her the way it was to be done. "She said, 'you need to breast-feed him. This is what you need to do.' If it wasn't for her I probably would have stopped breast-feeding because I didn't know what to do."

Amy continued and found support at a baby cafe. However, a long break between the first and second child brought about a minor lapse and Amy had to get a bit of assistance in nursing her second son, who came three years later.

"I would have been in pain still if I didn't have the New Parent Support Program as a resource. I would have been in tears this time around," said Amy.

Though some may have to overcome challenges at the start of nursing, profits to the child and mother such as lowers risks of disease, fewer occurrences of illness -- e.g., ear, respiratory or urinary tract infections, diarrhea -- outweighs them all.

"I don't have to worry about allergies to formula," said Gurule, adding, "Being more educated on the matter is more helpful."

Education is what Staff Sgt. Katherine McCaslin of the 529th Military Police Company was seeking as she held her 1-month-old son Mason, during the community's kickoff event for World Breast-feeding Week awareness activities.

"We came here today to learn about how to start building up a supply," said McCaslin, who will return to work soon after maternity leave break (of 42 days), and wishes to continue feeding her son breast milk.

In today's Army where Soldiers are also mothers, making accommodations for nursing mothers is becoming more commonplace. As a fulltime Soldier, McCassin said she was already concerned about things -- such as time management and "making sure we have enough for him during the day" and being able to express milk during duty hours -- as she prepares to return to work.

According to Barbara Dudenhoeffer, New Parent Support Program home visitor and international board certified lactation consultant, the 66th Military Intelligence Brigade and 24th Military Intelligence Battalion are two good examples in the Wiesbaden military community of how units can support nursing mothers.

Mother and former Soldier Shawnna Beswick said that her experience as a supervisor made her realize the importance of communicating specific needs to supervisors, as well as supervisors having awareness of the things associated with breast-feeding.

"Be very forward about the need to breast-feed or pump during duty hours," she said, explaining that an earlier experience as a supervisor exposed that her awareness of breast-feeding and related guidance was low. "I didn't know, and I thought she was trying to deceive me. But she was right. … I recommend that leaders read up on breast-feeding policy letters, SOPs and regulations, even talk to an OB/GYN, so they know how to support their Soldiers."

New Parent Support Program is a resource available to help parents and families in the community, and it offers more resources, support groups and home visits. Call mil 548-9218/9219 or civ (0611) 143-548-9818/9819 to learn more.

Related Links:

U.S. Army Garrison Family Advocacy Program - New Parent Support Program