I was in my 3rd year of nursing school, completing my community placement at an Early Years Centre. My Monday mornings were spent with breastfeeding Moms, and somewhere between the infant massage classes, the endless studying and thanksgiving celebrations I had… CONCIEVED?!!! I was going to be a mother. This was it. How exciting! How scary!! I wasn’t finished school.
The 1st month of breastfeeding my baby gave to me: a warm cuddly baby to hold!
The 2nd month of breastfeeding my baby gave to me: Two nursing bras and a warm cuddly baby to hold!
The 3rd month of breastfeeding my baby gave to me: Three diaper bags, Two nursing bras and a warm cuddly baby to hold!
**Content Warning: Adoption, Loss, Separation**
With Remembrance Day fast approaching, I'm reminded of those in the military service who are away from their families. I served in the Coast Guard for 15 years. As a paramilitary member, we could be called into service for Canada if needed.
A very dear Leche League Leader and friend asked me to share something. Typically, I would decline such invitations, however, I thought this would be a great opportunity to share something that I have been thinking about a lot recently. As is customary, I will share who I am, where I come, in order to position myself in relation to this breastfeeding story. My name is Ashley Day, and I have both Dene and English ancestries.
• Get off to a good start with skin-to-skin care and early, frequent “boob” feedings.
• If it hurts, seek help from La Leche League before the gremlins arrive.
• Don’t miss ghostly outings with friends or family, take baby with you.
• Lack of sleep makes us ghoulish. Sleep when your baby sleeps.
• Witches know the importance of support from other witches. Seek support from others: mothers, parents, La Leche League, family, friends and healthcare professionals.
This is us right now. Our days our busy; sometimes chaotic, always loud. There are six of us in a small rented house we’ve made our home. We’re always on top of each other, limbs tangled in a pile on the floor. We talk over each other. We never agree on dinner.
“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.”
To encourage, promote and provide breastfeeding, chest feeding and human milk feeding support and educational opportunities as an important contribution to the health of children, families and society