Sunday, April 3, 2011

Study? Just what am I studying....


Confession time... many of you who know and have read my blog for some time will know that I am quite Pro-Breastfeeding. Quite.

However, despite the fact that I probably should, I don't talk about my views on breastfeeding very often because I am a conservative person and I don't really want to start any heated debates. I also don't want to make anyone who may read my blog feel alienated in their own parenting choices.

When I say I am pro-Breastfeeding I should also say that I am a qualified Breastfeeding Counselor with the Australian Breastfeeding Association. I am studying to become an International Board Certified Lactation Consultant. Something that will take me another 2 years of so to complete. At that point I hope to be able to offer my services as a privately practicing independent Lactation Consultant.

So those of you who may have noticed in my Wednesday Coffee post earlier in the week that I was reading something out of the ordinary - that is what it is all about.

In the spirit of being right out there in the open about my parenting style I am also a passionate baby-wearer and am encouraging of co-sleeping (Safely of course - want more info? See this link) and cloth nappying (although I do confess to this last one being quite sporadic - depending on things are going that week.)

This week I came across an interesting blog and one that I will be following with interest - The Leaky B@@b. On Wednesday the author penned a very interesting article Breastfeeding = Breastfeeding which describes how I feel about my parenting style and breastfeeding so succinctly that I could have written it  - but not quite so eloquently. It perfectly sums up how I imagine many 'green' living parents feel and just goes to show that parenting is about personal decisions and what works best for your family.

I encourage you to go and have a read!

I will admit that there may be a few posts in the future that discuss breastfeeding as I go through my studies and find things that I feel as though are worth sharing.
post signature

6 comments:

  1. I'm pro breastfeeding too Andrea - might have something to do with the fact that it was the only thing in motherhood I think I did well at :)

    ReplyDelete
  2. PS - there are always going to be some women that have trouble with breastfeeding and that bottle feeding may need to be the choice - not knocking them - goodness knows we all need as much support as we can when we become mums!

    ReplyDelete
  3. wow, sounds like we are totally on the same page with all of the above :) good for you re IBLC....good luck!

    ReplyDelete
  4. BTW, I LOVE that pic of you BFing your LO. Beautiful :)

    ReplyDelete
  5. Hi Liz,

    I don't deny that Breastfeeding is a large physical and emotional commitment and that some women do have difficulty. I do however think that education, attitudes and unwavering support in the home (as well as from oganisations such as ABA and La Leche League) are underestimated in just how much of a difference they can make to a successful breastfeeding outcome. I don't want people who are reading my blog and who may have chosen (or been unable to) breastfeed to feel like they are a bad parent because of that. Breastfed or not - all babies are loved equally.
    Andjxx

    ReplyDelete
  6. OMG!! I just wrote like the longest post ever and then it didn't work! Arrrgggh

    ReplyDelete