This picture was taken when Ada was about 4 months old or so. Here I am breastfeeding, but you probably couldn't tell. Do you spot Ada?? Her foot is sticking out in the bottom right corner!
About 3 months ago I began a part-time (6 hours or less per week), at-home job as a breastfeeding peer counselor for the WIC program. With this job, I basically build relationships with women in the community and help them get a good start in breastfeeding. Many days when Chris comes home from work I say, "I just love BOTH my jobs!"
Here are my favorite things about my job:
1. As I continue to learn about pregnancy and breastfeeding, I am constantly amazed at how truly incredible a woman's body is. Women, have you ever stopped to think about this?? I can't believe all of the changes my body has undergone within the last 2 years! I have a much deeper appreciation for how God created my body, that I want to honor and take care of it more. I love that a woman's body is beautiful, life-giving, and accommodating to the many changes it goes through.. I am so glad I'm a woman!
2. I love connecting with other moms, especially since it's harder to socialize with other adults after having kids. When you become a mom, you instantly are able to connect with any other mom, regardless of class, race, language, religion, etc.
3. I love holistically helping women and children and making a difference in their lives.
The hardest thing about my job:
The actions of many hospitals (not all) and OBs can make it very difficult for women to breastfeed. It makes me feel sad because breastfeeding is probably one of the healthiest things for a woman and baby to do, yet I've discovered that many medical professionals don't make it a priority to be educated about breastfeeding or committed to helping women get started. Almost weekly, I hear from my clients of truly wrong advice or actions given/done by medical professionals which has prevented women from breastfeeding at all, or made it extremely difficult to get a good start. To be a well-informed patient is to be in charge of you and your children's health.
I hope to include more posts about breastfeeding in the future to help you (men and women) to be more informed and excited about breastfeeding!
how sad! at Mary Greeley in Ames they let me nurse right away, had a lactation consultant on the floor throughout the day, encouraged me, showed me how, etc. I've never had anyone discourage me in that area.
ReplyDeleteGrowing and nourishing a baby is amazing! My breastfeeding journey has been relatively smooth, but even so, I have had moments where I understand how so many new moms can get discouraged and give up. Having support from other moms who have been there and understand is so important -- keep up the great work!
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