LEIF Therapies

Gentle care results in smiles all around :)

LLL Mama Spotlight - Yashibel

I’m so appreciative of La Leche League. When I was 19 and pregnant the last thing I was planning on doing was nursing my baby. It just was not the norm in my family. However after reluctantly attending a meeting in my last trimester, I had a complete change of heart. They provided the education necessary for me to make the best informed decision and maximize my potential as a mother. Not only that, they also provided long term support and friendship. I believe firmly that, that fateful encounter planted the seed that has now grown into my passion for helping mothers and babies. 11 years later I can now proudly say that I have successfully breastfed 2 children exclusively: one for 5 years and the other 4 and I am currently nursing my 6 month old. I now work as a health educator providing breastfeeding support and education for at risk mothers and received my certification in lactation counseling almost 2 years ago. None of this would have been possible without LLL all those years ago. I am proud to be a member of LLL of Gainesville and I look forward to being able to provide the support that was provided to me at such a crucial time in my mothering experience. Thank you Justine for your selflessness and dedication for leading this chapter.

Photo credit: Rebecca Carol Photography

9 Beautiful Photos Of Black Moms Proudly Breastfeeding They spoke about the importance of seeing black women nurturing their children.

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❤️🧡💛💚💙💜

.wana
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My name is Wetalu and we are Nimiipuu and Warm Springs Paiute.


I choose to continue what my mothers before me demonstrated. I feel this is the responsibility handed to us Indigenous women as we focus on reclaiming our healing for our babies after lapsed years of historical trauma and colonization; women and children were ripped from each other’s arms in attempt to sever their connection and dismantle our tribes. Not to mention, years to follow, assimilation health policies kept our families divided.


My journey started in 2014 with my first-born daughter and I am now well on my way breastfeeding my second daughter. I am blessed to reclaim this healing once again. I have become more intuitive and aware of my decisions and the importance on why I’ve decided to make it my goal to be exclusive. Not to mention, I'm setting the standard as my first-born watches what I do. Mother’s milk is more than nourishment. It is baby’s first sacred food, it is nurturing their mind, body, and spirit creating a bond that conveys a mother’s life narrative and prepares baby to encounter trials and tribulations of tomorrow’s life.


It has been a challenging and invigorating experience reconnecting once again. Im proud to say we are officially exclusively breastfed.


This week is a time to celebrate our mother’s past, present, and future that are ignited with inspiration and filled with comfort knowing we can reclaim this cultural shift and watch as Indigenous women all over NDN country uphold the same energy, which is to reclaim and normalize breastfeeding once again.


This is why I choose to breastfeed.


📸: .wana
Models: and her two daughters

Learn about the events taking place today - 15 August as a part of Native Breastfeeding Week:

https://www.facebook.com/pg/NativeBreastfeedingWeek/events

📝How are you preparing to breastfeed your newborn? Here are some ideas to ensure your reach your personal feeding goals:
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🎯Sign up for an online lactation class
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🎯Sign up for an online childbirth education class for help with the birthing experience as that can often affect your initial feeding experience
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🎯Make a postpartum feeding and a contingency (backup covid_19) plan
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🎯Set a feeding goal, but know that pursuing the goal wholeheartedly is the actual mark of success, not reaching the goal!
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🎯Find ways to creatively deal with life's ups and downs as you navigate your baby's own sleep (or lack of sleep) cycle
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🎯Use your support people when you need to call in for reinforcements
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🎯Have a breastfriend or a provider on speed dial in case of mental exhaustion.
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🎯Give your other children tons of extra loving as your due date quickly approaches. Their lives will never be the same again!
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