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You are here: Home / Feeding Babies / Boob, Bottle, or Both: Why Non-Judgmental Support is an Essential Part of Doula Certification

Boob, Bottle, or Both: Why Non-Judgmental Support is an Essential Part of Doula Certification

August 30, 2016

Boob, Bottle, or Both: Why Non-Judgmental Support is an Essential Part of Doula Certification

Breastmilk is the optimal food for babies, but there are many reasons a mother may choose not to breastfeed. During your doula certification, you’ll learn to support moms no matter what decision they make.

The Center for Disease Control recently published its Breastfeeding Report Card for 2016. It states that breastfeeding is a “key strategy to improve public health” due to its known health benefits for babies as well as mothers.

The current recommendation from the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) is that:

  • Infants be breastfed exclusively for the first six months of life.
  • Infants continue to breastfeed for at least one year with the addition of complimentary foods.

The bi-annual report compiles national data on breastfeeding rates from all US states, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico with the goal of analyzing how our nation is progressing to meet the breastfeeding objectives set by Healthy People (HP2020).

In summary, the HP2020 objectives include:

  • Increase breastfeeding initiation.
  • Increase worksite support for breastfeeding mothers.
  • Reduce formula supplementation within the first two days of life.
  • Increase number of births that occur in “baby friendly” hospitals.

This year’s report found that breastfeeding rates are continuing to rise. Over half the states already meet the goal of 81.9% for breastfeeding initiation. Fewer states are meeting the goals of breastfeeding duration and exclusivity.

The writers of the report surmise that although mothers seem to be motivated to breastfeed early on, they may not be receiving the right kind of support from health care providers, family, and employers, which is why rates decline as babies get older. They note that the “early postpartum period is critical for establishing and supporting breastfeeding.”

This is great information to keep in mind during your doula certification and beyond.

You’ll learn during your doula certification that both birth and postpartum doulas can be a key part of the equation in the early postpartum period. As a birth doula, you will likely be there the first time your client nurses their newborn. You can help guide the process as the mother learns to positon and latch her baby. As a postpartum doula, you can help in a variety of ways once your client settles in at home.

It’s crucial that doulas:

  • Be educated on breastfeeding basics and common problems.
  • Have resources for local lactation consultants and know when to refer a client out if a problem arises.

Boob, Bottle, or Both: Why Non-Judgmental Support is an Essential Part of Doula Certification

However, learning about breastfeeding during your doula certification is only part of the equation. In addition to breastfeeding basics, you will also learn the proper way to prepare bottles and support formula feeding families.

On the heels of such an important report, talking about formula feeding can seem like a tricky topic. Breastfeeding is important for public health, but a mother’s postpartum emotional health may hinge the support receives in her early days with her new baby.

There are a variety of reasons that a mother may choose not to breastfeed. These reasons can range from supply issues, to a mother who is taking medication that is incompatible with breastfeeding, to a mother who has a past history of abuse.

No matter the reason, choosing whether or not to breastfeed is often an emotional decision.

Additionally, feeding a baby is not necessarily a dichotomy. New mothers have the option of exclusively breastfeeding, pumping milk to feed to from a bottle, exclusively formula feeding, or any combination of the three. After earning your doula certification, you will have the knowledge to guide and support mothers in any of these situations.

This is why we always talk about remaining non-judgmental and unbiased. IDI’s doula certification program covers all aspects of baby care so that you can confidently, and compassionately support your clients and meet them where they are.

The bottom line is that the early days with a baby are challenging. New mothers deserve someone who is 100% on their side no matter how they choose to feed their baby.

Aliza Juliette Bancoff
Author: Aliza Juliette Bancoff

Aliza Juliette Bancoff is a well-known doula and doula trainer who has been providing doula services to families for over a decade. She is the founder of Main Line Doulas, a doula group providing doula support in the great Philadelphia area for the last decade, the International Doula Institute, which provides online doula training and lactation training and certification programs and  the International Breastfeeding Institute which provides lactation training and certification.   She is the co-founder of United Birth, a company devoted to increasing access to doulas across the country to make the perinatal time safer both physically and emotionally. “Every birthing person deserves access to quality doula support. And we are working to make that a reality across the country. The work we are doing to get doulas to every birthing person will decrease the black infant and maternal mortality rate significantly by 2030.” Says Bancoff. Aliza is known for her compassionate and empowering approach to doula work, and she has been featured in numerous media outlets, including United Nations Maternal Health Report,  Parent Magazine, CafeMom, theBump and many more. Aliza's journey into doula work began when she gave birth to her first child and felt a strong calling...

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Tracy tells us,
“This course was informative and educational. I enjoyed learning how to become a doula.”

Patricia shared, 
“This course was great. I loved how easy it is to use, as someone who is not very technologically inclined. The coursework was challenging and I learned so much. My instructor was always very easy to reach and very responsive to any issues I had. I loved being able to work at my own pace and skip around a bit. Videos are hard for me as I am very self-conscious so it was nice to be able to postpone them for a bit until I could really practice and feel my best. ”

Judith shared, 
“The instructors and course materials/videos were all so wonderful and informative. I truly feel very well equipped with all the knowledge and tools I now have to start as a full spectrum doula with multiple certifications under my belt. Thank you, IDI, from the bottom of my heart. My true passion is blossoming before my very eyes!”

Miranda tells us, 
“I started my training at IDI almost a year ago. The courses have given me exactly what I needed to become a confident doula! After looking at several different doula training programs I decided on IDI because I have two young children and could work at my own pace online. I also really liked that the curriculum was contributed to by different backgrounds and trainings, not only from one perspective. This program has offered more to me than I ever could have thought! Not only have I learned how to support Moms and families through pregnancy, birth, and postpartum but I’ve been given tools in growing my reach and communication… just to name a few. There’s also huge support from other doulas in the program. I recommend this program to future doulas!”

Mary says, 
“Started my journey (with admitted fear) only a month ago and felt immediately at ease! This program is very fluid. Work at your own pace. Easy to reach help and support the whole way through. Everything you need to know to hit the ground running with confidence once certified.”

Brenda tells us, 
“My name is Brenda and I have been studying with IDI for a while now, looking forward to the Postpartum course also. I have found the studies, books, and information to feel well rounded in information and comprehensive. I love all the books they have chosen for my studies. Also, the opportunity to be hands-on with the additional class, interviews, videos, and Moms-to-be. This is a part of the program that brings all the reading, studying…everything to light! The teachers are kind, understanding and obviously VERY experienced and can guide and support me throughout this wonderful journey of certification to be a “Doula” I’m so happy I chose IDI to be my training! Thank you!!!! I look forward to the future!♡”

Joyce says, 
“I love being a student with IDI!”

Laura tells us,
” Easy to do at my own pace, good supplemental readings. ”

Hannah tells us,
” Hey this is Hannah! I’m SOO excited to have finished my courses & have become a CERTIFIED DOULA! I almost can’t believe I have that title, with my name!!! This has been a lifelong dream. I’m very grateful to have been able to do it online, as I am a stay-at-home mom to 7 amazing children. It was very convenient for me to work on, as I had quiet time, during my little’s naps. Having been through labor, birth & breastfeeding stages of my life, helped tremendously. However, it was a very practical course & easy to understand the instructions. I highly recommend IDI to anyone who is interested in becoming a doula!! Thank you, IDI!!! ”

Tatyana says,
“I enjoyed everything about this course. Very informative and detailed.”

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