But what I did alter is my schedule.... To include a JOB.
Two years ago, I surprised myself in the nanoseconds after my daughter's birth when I thought, "I'm never ever ever going back to work. I want to spend every second with her. Every. Single. One."
And truth be told, I really do like to spend as many seconds with my kid as possible. And I also really like to feel smart and interesting in settings other than parent-tot classes, playgrounds, rain puddles, shopping mall play structures, my living room, my rocking chair, the library, and Noodles & Company. So, I got a job. A boob job. A job helping mommas feed their babies. A dream job.
I take my test and will be certified in December as a Lactation Educator, and at that time my job can grow to include teaching breastfeeding classes to parents, both pregnant and postpartum. Until then, I am assisting the fancy IBCLCs in their postpartum breastfeeding support groups. It. Is. Awesome.
The situation is rocking because I get to help AND learn at the same time. This is Type A personality heaven.
My boob job includes checking moms and babies in when they arrive, getting a naked weight as well as a diaper weight in grams so we can do before and after feeding weights, fielding questions while the IBCLC is busy in a 1:1 consult, and making sure moms and babies are comfortable. The moms are awesome. The babies are cute. The job kicks ass.
And when I'm not busy helping, I'm either learning new stuff or confirming stuff I already read/believed/learned/assumed about breastfeeding dyads. Again, I'm in astrological Virgo heaven.
Read on to read more detailed accounts of what I'm learning and confirming.
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Some new stuff I learned this week:
--Some moms are struggling to reconcile what they intuitively want to do for their baby and themselves (i.e. exclusively breastfeed, wear baby, respond quickly to baby) with what they or their culture (family, community, etc.) have imposed upon them. These mommas are super interesting because they are coming to group and yet their approach to feeding their baby isn't consistent with the philosophy of the group. Watching the IBCLC counsel these moms is incredibly interesting and includes a fine balance of validating what is difficult about feeding a baby at breast and referencing the experiences of other women in the community. I had a chat with the IBCLC after group to talk more about this, specifically the best way to help a mom with so many cultural roadblocks. A big takeaway was the importance of keeping that mom feeling comfortable and accepted in group so that she keeps coming. The more she comes, the more she hears and learns and soaks up. The more she hears and learns and soaks up, the more likely her approach is to shift. Lecturing at or disagreeing with her will likely only isolate her and decrease baby's time at the breast.
Some stuff I confirmed this week:
--Gentian Violet works well on thrush, but is messy messy messy. Have you seen a baby using Gentian Violet? Wowza.
--Pediatricians don't know a lot of about nursing.... While not universally true, this is a good rule of thumb. Pediatricians are experts at diagnosing and treating illness. Feeding, Nutrition, Sleep, and Behavior are not class titles in medical school. That's why we have other professionals for these areas. If your pediatrician tells you to change how you're nursing or is concerned about baby's weight gain, please call your lactation consultant.
--Pureed food is kinda gross.... So it's no wonder Baby Led Weaning is the way to go. This books is awesome and makes feeding baby complementary foods around 6 months of age, way more fun AND anthropologically grounded. Plus, the prep is way less. One meal for the whole family. Check it out. Do you like your chicken pureed? Me neither. Give that kid a drumstick!
