On April 11, 2023, Breastfeed Durham hosted a presentation and discussion on how one’s birth experience intersects with breastfeeding by Tonya Daniel, MHL, LCCE, FACCE, CD/BDT(DONA), IBCLC as part of our First Food Equity Webinar Series. We invite you to view this transformative presentation and discussion from our First Food Equity Webinar Series.
Often people focus on breastfeeding education & support as the primary drivers for improving feeding rates. We tend to make sure in those final weeks of pregnancy that we talk about its benefits and where to find support. However, have you ever thought about the impact reframing this conversation WAY before the last weeks of pregnancy? Maybe even shifting the conversation from just feeding to birth options and birthing processes? While breastfeeding education and support are often the focal points in improving feeding rates, this session encourages us to reframe the conversation much earlier, even before the final weeks of pregnancy. This session discusses how common practices, medical interventions, and birth choices play a pivotal role in breastfeeding initiation and how, if not discussed appropriately can derail breastfeeding experiences. Gain some practical tips to help build a person’s confidence and strengthen their ability to provide their milk for babies.
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Tonya Daniel has always been interested in how societal practices impact people living “their best life.” She is a graduate of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and where she earned a Bachelor’s degree in Sociology, with a concentration in the health of women and children, and a Master of Health Leadership degree focusing on program innovation from Western Governors University. Having a diverse career background, from being a middle and high school teacher to working the past 15+ years in the field of public health, Tonya has pulled from those various experiences to influence the lives of people she encounters. Tonya is a DONA certified birth doula, birth doula trainer, Lamaze Certified Childbirth Educator, Lamaze program trainer, and International Board Certified Lactation Consultant. She’s been working with expectant and parenting families for more than 20 years and she’s passionate about providing labor support, childbirth education, and lactation services to families in her North Carolina community, especially those in areas of limited resources or access. She has had the honor of joining other birth workers to train healthcare staff and community workers in the United States, Kenya, and Kuwait with the hopes of improving pregnancies, births, and maternal/child health globally. She continues to partner with like-minded individuals and local health departments, hospitals, and community organizations to increase the number of doulas and breastfeeding advocates in areas at risk for high maternal and infant mortality.