LLLC Blog's blog

“Mommy, why are all the pictures of other mommies all white?” This was one of the 1st times my daughter (a vibrant, intelligent, sassy, 4 year old) initiated a conversation about race.  As a Black woman I noticed.  I notice every time I walk into a room and notice I’m the only Black woman in the room, I notice when anyone talks about race in front of me the discomfort white folks have , I notice when my Black babies are the only ones in the playgroup, so yes, I notice when all the books on Breastfeeding have majority white babies.

Happy Canada Day, to those who celebrate! 

Here’s a photo of my daughter and I on her first Canada Day, seven years ago today. My husband was away for the week-end celebrating a soon-to-be groom, so we joined my sister and brother-in-law at the Waterloo Regional Museum (now the Ken Seiling Waterloo Regional Museum) for their free Canada Day admission and celebrations.

(*Trigger Warning* - description and experience of misscarriage, loss and milk coming in after loss).

“It’s too late, Ms. Gauvin... we can only wait now.”

This past Monday, I had oral surgery. I had thought, like most of us do, that I’d be fine and be able to at least keep up with 50-75% of my plate load of things. Wow, was I ever wrong, and instead, I’ve spent most of the week on my couch.  I found myself reminded of the wise words many LLLC leaders shared with me when I had my first newborn: If you find yourself standing, sit down, and if you’re sitting on the couch, consider laying down. Your body needs rest.

This past Monday, I had oral surgery. I had thought, like most of us do, that I’d be fine and be able to at least keep up with 50-75% of my plate load of things. Wow, was I ever wrong, and instead, I’ve spent most of the week on my couch.  I found myself reminded of the wise words many LLLC leaders shared with me when I had my first newborn: If you find yourself standing, sit down, and if you’re sitting on the couch, consider laying down. Your body needs rest.

This past Monday, I had oral surgery. I had thought, like most of us do, that I’d be fine and be able to at least keep up with 50-75% of my plate load of things. Wow, was I ever wrong, and instead, I’ve spent most of the week on my couch.  I found myself reminded of the wise words many LLLC leaders shared with me when I had my first newborn: If you find yourself standing, sit down, and if you’re sitting on the couch, consider laying down. Your body needs rest.

As June marks pride month, it is a very special one to me. I’ll explain why!

As an organization, we support families in their journeys through lactation. In this way, our goals and values are inseparably tied to the rights of all persons to security, health and freedom. La Leche League Canada stands in solidarity with the fight against systemic racism, white supremacy and historical oppression faced by the Black community. We are not immune in Canada and we have a responsibility to speak in solidarity with Black Leaders and families that we work with and provide concrete support however we can.

Black Lives Matter.

Despite what some people may tell you, you can expect your milk supply to stay about the same, when you are feeling stressed. If your baby is acting fussy, and hungry, try nursing more often. Your baby will get more to eat by feeding more often, today and tomorrow, and after that you should be making more milk for each feeding. It's supply and demand! The more milk the baby drinks from you (or you take out with a pump), the more you make. The "making more" usually happens after 48-72 hours.

La Leche League Canada's statement on finding support during COVID-19 can be found HERE