Let’s Recognize the Monumental Feat of Breastfeeding!
Drum roll please!!!
Feeding a baby from your body and pumping milk, is no small event!
In fact lets just set the record straight - at a minimum it’s project management 101, and at its best it is an all encompassing brilliant design of the human body that requires . . . . . .
Breastfeeding is a 1800 hr a year job - conservatively!
Breastfeeding is an ENTIRELY new skill for baby and breastfeeding person
(even if you have feed a baby from your body before - you haven’t fed this baby)
Breastmilk production uses 25%-30% of the bodies energy (the brain ‘ONLY’ uses 20%)
Producing breast milk FOR ONE DAY is the energetic equivalent of an 7 mile walk !
This week is World Breastfeeding Week
the theme is
NOURISH, SUSTAIN & THRIVE
Parents, partners, family and friends LET’S CELEBRATE THE PEOPLE THAT DO THIS BIG WORK??
Let’s help NOURISH those people breastfeeding in your lives -
What meal would you love me to drop off?
Where do you grocery shop? A few bags of quick snack items, fruit, veggies and easy foods will be delivered.
Would you like me to come over and sit with you and chat about the anything that uplifts and encourages you and bring you snacks while you feed your baby?
Let’s help SUSTAIN the incredible job that breastfeeding is -
Recognize that breastfeeding is hard work, challenging and often deeply emotional - be available to ‘HOLD THE MOTHER’ [parent] let this person be real and vulnerable without out any expectations.
Listen, acknowledge and take action on what is needed to make this life-giving-job easier.
Set up this new parent for success with late pregnancy scheduling for postpartum lactation appointments, therapy appointments, childcare/ school arrangements for siblings
Check in via text or a call (without any of your own agenda) on how the family is doing, share what support specifically you can offer and when.
Let’s ensure that those breastfeeding are THRIVING -
What does the family unit need to help their relationships grow, flourish and thrive? Can you participate in facilitating that need.
Let new families know you love them, they are valued in all the messiness and challenge of feeding their baby
SHOW UP - now, and later. This journey can be lonely and frustrating, and as we have learned it’s all encompassing (so that mean you as their support are so very much needed to be their cheer team)
BREASTFEEDING FOR 1 DAY
BREASTFEEDING FOR 1 WEEK
BREASTFEEDING FOR 1 MONTH
BREASTFEEDING FOR 1 YEAR
ARE TREMENDOUS FEATS OF HUMAN ACCOMPLISHMENT - WE CELEBRATE YOU!
- Sarah Willett