Late Night Latch

The weather is beautiful, and I couldn't be more excited to fly to California tomorrow for some work skills training. It's a two day intensive workshop on therapeutic techniques for areas like engorgement management and optimizing baby's oral function. Excited to return and incorporate these tools into my practice!

One of my favorite aspects of breastfeeding are the beautiful connections. A latch, a fl**ge fit, a little hand wrapped around mom's finger, Dads doing skin to skin. I love the physical and emotional connections.

A lot of clients are often surprised when we chat and they find that my college degree wasn't in a health field. It was actually a BFA in blacksmithing. I was particularly enamored with with the simple connections of hand tools, like a hammer. And that theme was a common thread in a lot of the works I made.

So it was very serendipitous, when perinatal mental health therapist, Betty Barratta, messaged me and asked if I wanted to meet up at a coffee house called "The Forge". The interior decor was inspired by blacksmithing tools. We knew of each other through mutual clients, but had never met.

It was really fortuitous. I was having several consults where I needed help troubleshooting psycho somatic connections to breastfeeding outcomes. I was hearing from my clients that Betty was a knowledgeable and empathetic clinician that helped them with those connections.

I was curious this morning, when I started this post, if The Forge bakery where we met, was the site of an old blacksmith shop. I found that the owners actually liked the theme of forging connections and friendships with people. And I love that too!

I will put Betty's business website in the first comment, if anyone needs a great perinatal mental health therapist!

I have a confession. Breastfeeding was easy for me. I didn't have to think twice about it. When to start or wean. I just followed what felt right- day to day. But I know that looks different for every family out there. Sometimes women call me and ask for help weaning at one week. And you know, weaning consults are some of my favorites. Because I truly believe in my clients when they ask me to help guide them in the way that is right for them. I believe in parental love and instincts. 💛