The Nursling – Breastfeeding + Bonding
Most women are given strong messages about the importance of breastfeeding for her baby’s health. Some expect it to be a natural and easy process that just happens. Others have heard all kinds of horror stories about the difficulties that can occur. Others feel pressured to try, but uncomfortable and uneasy about the idea of it. Not many of us are told that it is a joint effort between us, our body and our baby, and that like any new skill, it can take time and effort to learn and succeed at.
Join us as we explore the wide range of experiences different mothers can have. Learn about the ways we can support the breastfeeding relationship and baby’s health beginning immediately after birth and in the first days and weeks. Explore both benefits and challenges to the newborn and the mother and how and where to reach out for additional help when it’s needed. Class will provide information on: skin-to-skin after birth, the breast-crawl, establishing breastfeeding, understanding the hormones of bonding, milk production and milk release, nursing positions, and breast health. Resources for support with pumping, latch issues, formula feeding and going back to work with be provided.
Below you will find a sample class meditation audio recording as well as a video about Choices In Birth that we encourage families to watch as early in pregnancy as possible. (This topic is explored in more depth in the Informed Choices workshop.

SYLLABUS
- The Awareness Scan (birth meditation)
- The Power of LOVE + SAFETY in Birth
- Supporting the hormones of Labor
- Understanding the role of birth support
- Breath for Birth
- Understanding Breath as a Superpower
- Belly Breathing (exercise)
- The Transforming Body
- The Changing Structures of Birth
- The Changing Structures of Birth
- The Labor Process
- Pre-labor and Early Labor
- Active Labor
- Transition
- Pushing + Birth
- Delivery of the Placenta
- Recognizing Preterm Labor
- When to call your Practitioner/Go to the Hospital
- The Mental + Emotional Journey of Birth
Class Resources

Can’t thank you enough for your classes on labor/delivery. I was able to deliver him lying down on my side. Your pushing info along laboring techniques all came in very handy. [Our doctor] said we had done our homework!