As a NICU nurse, I am constantly assisting moms with breastfeeding. Not only do I have my personal experience with this, but since the start of my company, I have been reading, watching videos and speaking with many lactation consultants, doctors and nurses on the subject of breastfeeding. The more I expand my knowledge, the more I can help guide parents on this subject.
Last week I attended THE BEST breastfeeding class that I have ever seen! About a month ago, I heard about Shari Criso, a midwife/lactation consultant in Denville, NJ. Not only did I hear that Shari was a wonderful person with a FANTASTIC baby boutique, but she has also launched her own breastfeeding DVD: Simply Breastfeeding. After watching the promo of the video, I knew I had to attend this class. Of course being the researcher that I am, I looked up Shari Criso and The Birthing Boutique to learn more. Then I decided to take a ride to Denville and meet her for myself. Of course, her and her husband Joe are just the nicest people, whose mission is simple: to educate and support parents throughout the breastfeeding process.
Joe and Shari host the classes together, and they were so generous in inviting me to sit in on one. Shari pointed out something very important: nurses and doctors were never taught breastfeeding in nursing/medical school. Instead, we learned from other nurses and lactation consultants, some good and some not so good. Giving parents the tools and the encouragement that they need to succeed in breastfeeding is key! Shari and Joe have accomplished this in their Simply Breastfeeding class and DVD. Shari clearly explains the benefits, the challenges, and demonstrates how to breastfeed successfully. I learned more in this 3 hour breastfeeding class than I have in the past 11 years!
I really hope that healthcare professionals watch this video. The way Shari explains breastfeeding to new moms and dads is the way that we should all be teaching them. I believe that if the educators were shown a video like this one, we could support new parents with this simple yet challenging gift. Traveling from hospital to hospital has been a privilege for me and has opened my eyes to the conflicting information given to new parents. And although more and more hospitals are becoming breast friendly, there is still a lack of support in some hospitals. Providing new parents with a simple and encouraging method to breastfeeding is key in promoting breastfeeding to new mothers, and although I believe it is a personal choice, the benefits of breastfeeding should definitely be emphasized for every new mom.
As Shari says in her class and on her DVD, the material that she presents is her professional opinion from her years of practice as a nurse, midwife and lactation consultant. And in my expert opinion, this Simply Breastfeeding DVD is a must-have for any mom who desires to breastfeed. Shari will give you the tools that you need to boost your confidence as a mother and help you succeed in breastfeeding! To learn more about Shari Criso, visit her website My Baby Experts and The Birthing Boutique.
Babies 411 – Babies Are Our Business
Babies 411 is an on-line information and resource center for parents. This site has been developed by a neonatal intensive care nurse with the sole purpose of promoting the health, safety, an well-being of all babies.
Author : Diba Tillery RN, BSN, IBCLC, CPST
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