I thought I knew it all. How to have the most successful breastfeeding relationship, and why breast is always best. The importance of encouraging mothers to pick up and wrap their babies. The better approach to parenting and managing behaviors, and even why some tactics might be intolerable. I knew it was as easy as cut and paste, if only people would just follow my instruction. I was entering a field and nurturing a passion that was going to benefit women and families based off my education and unintentional bias. It was when I actually engaged with our community and birth, that I realized just how personal and intricate the experience is. The whole experience. Do we attempt one approach with each scenario because it fulfills a certain expectation or belief surrounding birth and parenthood, despite how personal it is? Or do we acknowledge each parent’s experience and expectation and cater to them? I had to figure that out.
The truth is, the differences within our communities, families, and lives contribute to what could never be a cookie-cutter experience for women. It took a lot of engagement with the families, clients, and professionals in my life to realize how disillusioned I was. Our decisions and journeys surrounding birth, breastfeeding, and parenting won’t always be the same just because of evidence based support or care, nor should we expect to influence others with our own agenda.
This doesn’t mean our effort to educate or provide information isn’t essential in our support, but this is my attempt at sharing the importance of acknowledging each woman and why we might best support them when we meet them where they are in the journey. I will inform my client about the benefits of breastfeeding, and work alongside her to navigate that relationship with her baby. Whatever it looks like. I may suggest babywearing, discuss skin-to-skin, pain medications and interventions when the opportunity arises. I will listen with empathy and validation when fears, concerns, or decisions are expressed. I will comfort when plans derail. And no matter what my education, I will support all parents unbiased.
Love ~ Morgan
