Mamas, Find Your Village!

When Vincent was about a month old, I signed up for a New Mama Class and Amma Parenting Center where we had taken some prenatal classes. Brian and I thought it would be a great thing for me to do and a good reason for Vincent and I to get out of the house at least one day a week. Because, let’s be honest, it is very easy, and comfortable, to not get dressed or leave the house with a newborn. It can be scary and overwhelming. But, mamas, it is so necessary for our sanity and our wellbeing.

I signed up for the New Mama class, a class specifically for new and first-time moms. It is a baby-friendly environment where we talk about all topic’s new moms: feeding, sleep, soothing, vaccinations, pediatric visits, postpartum adjustments, emotions, returning to work, and so much more! It is honestly the most welcoming place a new mom could be in.

I walked into our first class a little nervous and overwhelmed. Vincent was about 6 weeks old and it was really my first major outing just the two of us by ourselves. Plus, he was nursing ALL the time and both him and I were still finding our rhythm in our breastfeeding journey. So, my major concern was what would happen if I needed to feed him? It was also one of the first times I would be breastfeeding in public.

I was met with the most caring, warmhearted, kind teacher and 7 kind, funny, and down-to-earth new mamas, who were all experiencing the same things. AND all my fears about breastfeeding melted away as all our little babes would scream and one by one our boobs would come out and we would just feed. Nobody cared. Breastfeeding is hard enough without the added pressure of trying to cover up, conceal, or stress about what others think.

“It takes a village to raise a child! Find a village. Encourage one another. Open your village to others! ”

Godspeed, Mamas!