Do I Need An Advocate?

This episode was inspired by the volume of parents who was shouting the words Fed is Best on World Breastfeeding Week. The mothers that shouted that there should not be a World Breastfeeding Week and if so why not a bottle feeding week. Learn more about Ruth at www.121doula.co.uk

Doula Ruth Dennison answers the question of the week. Please do listen and learn how you can prepare for breastfeeding. Not breastfeeding?...this podcast can help you be good support to new parents who choose to. Below you will find some useful resources. The Virtual Breastfeeding Cafe with Carmelle Gentle & Ruth Dennison - for all New and Expectant parents: https://www.121doula.co.uk/workshops/virtualbreastfeedingcafe/ Facebook Groups: 1) The Virtual Breastfeeding Cafe with Carmelle Gentle & Ruth Dennison - https://www.facebook.com/groups/2246297342339797/?ref=share 2) Breastfeeding Women with Children of colour: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1276809082390871/?ref=share Breaking Breastfeeding Barriers & Uplifting Education (fundraiser): https://www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/121doula Breastfeeding e-learning Course for Parents: https://www.121doula.co.uk/product/breastfeeding-e-learning-course-for-parents/ Breastfeeding Culture Safety Course for Practitioners: https://www.121doula.co.uk/product/breastfeeding-culture-safety-online-course-for-practitioners/ Email your question of the week here: [email protected] Learn more about Ruth here: www.121doula.co.uk

This week 14th-20th June 2020, is Black Babywearing Week. Doula Ruth Dennison talks about the reasons why black babywearing week is needed. Black Babywearing Week US website: http://blackbabywearingweek.org/ Black Babywearing Week UK Instagram: https://instagram.com/blackbabywearingweekuk?igshid=1awo61hufig0z 1-2-1 Doula’s Etsy shop: https://www.etsy.com/uk/shop/121Doula 1-2-1 Doula’s website shop: https://www.121doula.co.uk/product-category/adama-slings/ School of Babywearing (where I did my training): https://www.schoolofbabywearing.com/ There is over 150 sling libraries in the UK, if you would like to gain guidance on how to wear your baby, do a google search to find a sling library local to you or online.

Ruth talks about the benefits of having an advocate through pregnancy and birth. If you are worried or unsure about your Birth Rights, please check this website here: https://www.birthrights.org.uk/ Learn more about Ruth here: https://www.121doula.co.uk/about-me/

Being in a pandemic, undergoing worldwide lockdown, which then switched to protests around the world due to a black man named George Floyd being murdered on camera by US police has brought trauma and outrage throughout the black community. Ruth speaks to Carmelle Gentle about her work as a Black Independent Midwife, Infant Feeding Specialists and Tongue-Tie Practitioner on how she is managing supporting families in a time of crisis. Learn more about Carmelle here: www.gentlebirthsandbeyond.co.uk Free Virtual Breastfeeding Cafe for expectant and new parents, learn more here: https://www.121doula.co.uk/workshops/virtualbreastfeedingcafe/ Breaking Breastfeeding Barriers & Uplifting Education, learn more here: https://www.121doula.co.uk/services/breaking-breastfeeding-barriers-uplifting-education/. Anti-Racism online course with Nova Reid: https://novareid.com/services/anti-racism-white-privilege-course/. Below you can find a list of links containing great information and people to assist you with healing through trauma: • The Black, African and Asian Therapy Network: https://www.baatn.org.uk/how-therapy-can-help/ • HQ Therapy Rooms: https://www.hqtherapy.com/ If you have any questions or comments you would like to share with Ruth, please forward an email to [email protected] alternatively visit her website at www.121doula.co.uk.

⚠️Trigger Warning/very sensitive topic ⚠️ Ruth speaks with Stacey Anderson about the loss of her son. Stacey and her partner Anthony birthed baby Kiyan at 27 weeks Gestation. After 21 days care in NICU, baby Kiyan sadly passed away. Stacey is a wonderful women, amazing mother with a beautiful family. Preterm birth and Infant loss is traumatic and heart breaking for any parent, but when you feel like you have not been taken seriously from your first point of contact, it makes your experience much harder. After listening to this podcast, you can watch video of Stacey revisiting the NICU where her son passed: https://youtu.be/mOPQI5jfTuE Stacey’s is now running a spoke word program to help young people articulating their feelings and emotions, you can learn more here: https://www.spititout.vip/ If you have experienced infant loss and think you may benefit in having additional therapy or support, you can find information here: The Black, African and Asian Therapy Network: https://www.baatn.org.uk/ Lullaby: https://www.lullabytrust.org.uk/ SANDS: http://www.sands.org.uk/.

Many expectant parents wonder if a birth plan is necessary, what they should include in a birth plan and will they get to have exactly what the want. This podcast will give you a good insight to help you decide if a birth plan/preferences is for you.