Stephanie Anderson is a certified birth and postpartum doula, childbirth educator, IBCLC and Breastfeeding USA peer counselor from Olympia Washington. She shares her HUG Your Baby experience with us.
I am also a mother of 4 children who have all been breastfed well over a year. I have used so many of the techniques I’ve learned from Hug Your Baby when working with parents and find all of them so helpful!
Showing the Hug Your Baby DVD in my prenatal classes helps parents to understand ways their babies are communicating with them, ways they can respond and support their babies, and signs of effective feeding. Getting the opportunity to see video images of deep and light sleep states, feeding cues, and SOSs and to learn about peak crying periods and ways they can soothe their babies prior to birth is so beneficial and helps parents to feel more confident in welcoming their new addition.
When working with postpartum families, whether it be in the hospital or a home visit later with an older baby, I find broadcasting and commentating to be so helpful with empowering parents to see all that their babies are capable of and allowing those lightbulb moments of understanding when parents grasp what their babies are saying and they know how to respond effectively!
I also love that the course stresses the importance of meeting parents where they are, and listening to their needs and concerns before diving into information that may be on a consultant’s agenda. The saying, “They don’t care how much you know, until they know how much you care” is never more true than when working with postpartum parents. Listening first, giving parents space to grow and learn with their babies is absolutely the best way for them to hear and absorb teaching and support. I’m excited to continue working with parents and to further incorporate all that I’ve learned from Hug Your Baby!
© HUG Your Baby 2020