We have so much information available at our fingertips. Some of it is supremely helpful, especially the stuff that’s evidence-based. It can be difficult to find that stuff, though, amongst individual stories which can be presented through the rose-colored filter of social media, or marketing tactics disguised as people's "real" experience. While there are true gems buried in the noise, and parents can sometimes find a solution that works for them, often the proliferation of information can increase anxiety during what is already a stressful time.
The article linked below really resonated with me regarding what my clients are experiencing. Many have shared similar sentiments during our time together. I'm so happy the author put it into words.
It's interesting to note that early on in my studies to become an IBCLC, one of the things we discussed was how the lactation consultant can somewhat take the place of the proverbial village that we once had way back in our history, or to this day in other parts of the world. So much of this online noise would be unnecessary, or at the very least, less confusing if we all received knowledge of how to feed and care for infants through observation and contribution during our formative years in the village. During my visits, I try to help parents tease out what is most important for them and to aim to achieve that with evidence-based information laced with simplicity and care.
An example of this: I recently visited with a family where every time they were trying to feed their newborn, the energy in the room became electrified. The mom would position herself sitting straight up with several pillows propping her up behind her back, strapping a nursing pillow to her tender body. The dad would stand near her and hold their wailing baby while this extended preparation was happening, and the nanny was rushing around the room gathering cloths and blankets, loudly directing the parents while they were trying to quickly position the discombobulated baby at mom's breast. The stress was palpable. They were all trying to do it "right".
During our visit together, my first goal was to help them find a more serene setup to the main event, so that everyone could take a breath and allow the baby to chill out a bit before working on the latch. Allowing the baby to calmly acclimate to moms body often improves latch, discomfort, and milk transfer. We found a more relaxed and natural position for mom's body so she and the baby could start to use their natural instincts to facilitate the feed. The baby latched deeper and more comfortably than they ever had, and mom was so relieved to see that this was possible for them. Simplification, which included removing some of the accoutrements purportedly meant to make things easier via social media, made all the difference for this family. They felt empowered in a way they hadn't previously, simply by recognizing that you may not need all of the things to be successful.
This is just one aspect of what is discussed in this article. There are some gems included that will likely resonate with lots of my clients' experiences. I hope it provides an opportunity for reflection and even a new perspective for you.
