Giveaway: Breastfeeding Online Classes from Lactation Link

Today I have an amazing giveaway from Lactation Link over on my Instagram account! Lactation Link is a small breastfeeding support practice run by Lindsey Shipley. Lindsey is a nurse, mother, childbirth educator and lactation coach, and a really nice person too! Through Lactation Link Lindsey works to empower women through education to reach their goals, whatever they may be.

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When I had my first child I knew that I wanted to breastfeed and like so many women I assumed that labour and childbirth would be the biggest challenge. I took natural birthing classes, read some books and spoke with women about child birth. I studied up and looked for support – I prepared myself as best as I could. But, in contrast, breastfeeding appeared so simple, so straightforward that I didn’t at all prepare myself for it. Three weeks postpartum with terrible mastitis and never-ending nipple pain I sobbed that “Childbirth was way easier than breastfeeding! Why didn’t anyone warn me?” And I meant it: breastfeeding was way harder. But that was because I didn’t know what I was doing! Fortunately, with help from my midwife and a lactation consultant I easily learned what I was doing wrong and how to get on track to loving breastfeeding. I’m so thankful for those women, for the knowledge and gentle encouragement they gave me. Lactation consultants and coaches are amazing, empathetic people. I went on to nurse my children for over 8 years (put together, not each!). Now when women ask me about natural child birth and home birth I share my experience and tips, but I always make sure to spend time telling them that they need to equally prepare and educate themselves about breastfeeding, to find a coach and support network, and to believe in themselves and what their bodies can do.

{GIVEAWAY details BELOW}

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Lindsey wants to give 3 of my Instagram followers a free online breastfeeding class. Lindsey’s classes are super popular, if you are a mama-to-be or a breastfeeding mother these classes are great. You can learn in the comfort of your own home and on your own schedule. Lindsey also offers all kinds of other great free resources through her website so check it out (here)! A great place to get started is with Lindsey’s ‘Top Ten Tips for Breastfeeding Success’.

To enter the giveaway, visit my Instagram account (rules are explained there too) and make sure to:

  • Follow @lactationlink
  • Like and comment on the giveaway photo
  • Tag at least one mama or mama-to-be in the comments. Each tagged friend counts as a separate entry, so more tags=more entries! Please tag each friend in a separate comment so that it is easier for me to make the ballots 🙂
  • No limit to the number of friends tagged.

Giveaway closes Sunday February 28 at midnight and is open worldwide. Good luck friends!

{ Photography in this post by Janae Kristen Photography } www.janaekristen.com

 

Empowering Motherhood: Inspiring Mother Tiff

It’s been a while since I’ve shared an inspiring mother. Tiff is a stay at home mother, yoga instructor and birth doula. I started following her because I loved how she incorporated yoga into her everyday life with a toddler. I’ve personally struggled with getting more than a few sun salutations done while my children are around. Sen loves yoga, don’t get me wrong, but it’s all partner yoga or him leading the practice. Somedays I just want to flow through 20 salutations without interruption.

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When Tiff started sharing her second pregnancy on Instagram I was totally inspired by how she shared, in a very humble way, the beauty of pregnancy and how deeply empowering it can be to carry and birth a baby. I never expected the birth of my own children to be transformational or empowering but they were; however, I never figured out a good way to share my story. Tiff shares in an natural, inspiring, yet humble, everyday way. She doesn’t present herself as superhuman. She puts forth a vision of birth and mothering that is both aspirational and very attainable by reminding herself and women of what we’ve always been capable of. Thank you, Tiff, for sharing, you’ve no doubt inspired many women to trust in themselves, not only to birth and mother a baby, but to trust themselves, period.

What part of the world do you live in?

Southern California

How many children do you have and how would you describe them?  

Two daughters – Nora Jane (3 yrs) my bright, wild, spirited one, & Violet Lu (born Oct 28) sweet, cuddly little darling.

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What are your core family values?

Love Yourself. Love others. Have patience. Notice the beauty in each moment. Be grateful for all of life’s abundance. Take every life experience as an opportunity for learning and growth.

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How do you spend most of your days?

Our little family is happiest when we are playing in the waves, so we spend most of our days at the beach; soaking up the sunshine and salty air. I really feel connected with the water and swimming in the ocean has always felt like a spiritual experience for me. My girls were both born in water, so I think it’s safe to say they feel the same.

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What is your favourite thing to do as a family?

Get out into nature, explore new places.

What are you passionate about? 

I am passionate about yoga- practice & philosophy. When training to become an instructor (while pregnant with my first daughter), the natural lifestyle really resonated with me which is why I chose to have a natural home water birth with my daughters. After having my first beautiful birth experience, I became inspired to share what I felt so deeply to be true: pregnancy is a sacred and beautiful privilege, and birth can be a wonderful and enjoyable experience as our bodies are made for it!

What inspires you?

I am inspired by others who follow their passions and have the courage to share their gifts with the world.

Did your dreams change once you had a child?

Absolutely. Giving birth changed me and empowered me to embrace motherhood in a way I hadn’t ever imagined for myself. I became very passionate about the birth process and our body’s natural, innate abilities and felt called to help empower other women and mothers in their own pregnancy and birth journeys.

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Photo by @tophography_

What are your dreams for motherhood?

I want my girls to know just how much they are loved and to teach them to truly love and accept their authentic selves, as well as others. And that life can be anything they wish to make it.

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Thank you so much, Tiff! Friends and readers: you can follow Tiff on Instagram @namastetiff and watch the most beautiful, empowering birth video ever here (outside USA) or here (USA).

You might also like my post:

Yoga Retreat in Costa Rica May 2016

Sa Ta Na Ma Meditation for Children

Thoughtful Guide to Gifts for Children