Breastfeeding, Chestfeeding, Lactation, and Consent

Did you know that the best lactation support is verbal support? Someone to teach you how to learn the art of bringing your baby to latch or get your milk flowing is best learned if it's something you learn experimentally with verbal guidance!

When it's comes to lactation support, you have a voice in communicating your needs for body autonomy.

It’s ok to....

• Ask for verbal support vs hands on support

• Say “stop” when someone is putting their hands on you to help

• Ask that your partner be shown how to offer hands on support

• Trust your baby

• Trust yourself

• Trust that most of the time Breastfeeding works

• Know that you are still an amazing parent when it doesn’t

• Ask for help

• Ask for help again

• Ask for help again

• Cry

• Tell people supporting you how the experience feels

• Ask someone to leave the room because you are going to breastfeed

• Excuse yourself to breastfeed somewhere private

• Breastfeed in Public

• Breastfeed at the table in a restaurant

• Cover up

• Stay uncovered

• Lift your shit up

• Pull your shirt down

• Nurse a kid who’s walking and talking….a lot.

• It’s ok to decide to stop breastfeeding.

• It’s ok to breastfeed more than one child.

The world of Breastfeeding or Chestfeeding or Nursing can feel complicated yet simple. Only you know what’s best for you and your family. Enjoy the ride! It’s one of a kind!

- Margaret Romano, Birth Doula

For more info on lactation support provided by Madison Doula Collective, please visit our Lactation Support page.