My intention in going to this has been for some time. I wanted to be able to extend my understanding of the importance of skin to skin contact between Parents and Babies beyond the hours and days following birth. I have both felt and witnessed the profound impact that close physical contact can have on the Mama's state just following a birth. When they can see, touch, smell and even taste each other immediately following and for the first few hours, both adjust to everything more quickly. I have also felt and witnessed the profound impact of not having contact at all or of it being very limited.
Having sold a number of baby wearing products over a few years, I always felt so incompetent about trying to teach the parents how to use them. In my own babies early years, they were tied to me with the antique snugli, half a twin sheet, a MEC back pack and a ring sling. In addition to all of this, they endured being carried around in a bucket and strollers. Every day in my life now, I see how resourceful the women around me are and when I look back, realize how very little I knew as a young Mom. Each of my births empowered me in various ways and having started out as someone who was very much dis-empowered and uninformed, I sometimes wish I could go back.
I remember bringing Emily home from the hospital. I don't remember why but my parents picked us up from the hospital to drive us back to Athabasca. My Father muttered under his breath as he watched me struggling with the car seat "we didn't need these when you were babies...mutter mutter." I argued that I was not prepared to risk my daughter's safety because he was choosing to be a curmudgeon. In the same way as I found myself thinking yesterday "why no strollers? why no bucket?" Then it struck me that many of the women I serve tend to wear their babes with them.
I was really pleased with many of the connections Arie makes between our culture and breastfeeding and that the extension to this is baby wearing. For me, wearing my babies close to me was pure intuition. I had no idea about the physiology of the baby, the hormonal connections, etc. It was just that when I buckled to the "norms" of the bucket and that separation, something in me always ached to have them close to me. Everything else was counter-intuitive. My only do-over if I could go back would be to go back as empowered as I am now. Luckily (and luck is a big factor), my kids seem to be okay. I am not a fan of getting stuck in guilt over what I would do differently. But I am a fan of having a little glimpse now and then. Pausing to reflect on what I would do differently and how I can be a part of empowering this and the next generation. I can do so by learning as much as I can so that I can competently teach in a way that is correct. For this reason, I am loving on this teacher. It helps that she is a horse woman and that she has some good Celtic guts.
There is enough scientific research to say that there are real, short and long term benefits. If we can teach parents how to wear their babies with them more of the time, this is one more step to healing the world. I believe healing the world must start with pregnancy and birth. I am inspired by this belief. http://vimeo.com/13332305
In the mid-afternoon, I slipped out with my friend, Grace. http://www.touchofgrace.info/Touch_of_Grace/Welcome.html - If I was birthing again, I would want Grace and Christine http://www.freshjoy.ca/birthexperience by my side. Grace suggested we go to the Midwifery Clinic to celebrate International Day of the Midwife. I was reluctant because I am struggling with the impact that regulation is having on the outcomes of students in my community. I have spent so much of the past year feeling on the fringes as a student and was having a bit of a sulk over it. But I knew I should go. I just knew I needed to gentle up, that I could move forward more easily if I went with a little 'Grace.' As it turned out, it was a good decision. Thanks Grace :)
Now, onto more learning!
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