Breastfeeding Support in Tampa Bay
Let’s just start this conversation by saying if you don’t want to breastfeed, that is OKAY. It is your body and you get to make the choice about everything that happens to it.
If you want to breastfeed and then change your mind, that is OKAY too. You don’t need to defend that choice to anyone.
If you want to breastfeed and can’t make it work because you don’t have support or help, that is not okay.
If an “expert” tells you your baby’s latch is “good” and it hurts, it is not good. If an “expert” tells you your latch isn’t good, but it doesn’t hurt and your baby is getting plenty to eat, it is fine. There is no such thing as a “perfect” latch.
A small number of women physically cannot or should not breastfeed. If you’re in this category, please know that an experienced lactation professional can help you feed your baby in a way that will be rewarding.
The Tampa Bay community is filled with resources for breast/chestfeeders across every spectrum. A great place to start looking for support is your birth facility, LaLecheLeague USA, The Center for Breastfeeding, a certified lactation counselor or an internationally board certified lactation consultant.
“Everything will work out okay in the end. If it’s not okay, then it’s not the end.” – John Lennon
Christie Rinder is the founder of Buddha Belly Doulas, Tampa Bay's original and largest doula agency. Supporting families since 2009, she's passionate about ensuring every family has the support they need during pregnancy, birth, and postpartum. She believes in helping women recognize their own inner wisdom, strength and power.
Having served as President of the Tampa Bay Birth Network for six years and 17 years serving families as a birth doula, she has a reputation for leadership, dedication and compassion. A childbirth educator, certified lactation counselor as well as a certified doula, she makes a point of ensuring mothers and their partners understand all their birthing options and what to expect on their journey. > learn more about Christie
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