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.

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}

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