August is National Breastfeeding Month.
At the Visitation, the Blessed Virgin Mary serves as a witness to the importance of accompanying women during pregnancy and postpartum. Inspired by this example, Alyssa Thooft, through her business “Lactation with Alyssa,” strives to provide encouragement, education and support for mothers, especially in their breastfeeding journey.
“Mothers thrive when they are surrounded by support,” Thooft said. “The postpartum period can be physically, emotionally and spiritually demanding and no family is meant to navigate it alone.”
Thooft, a member of Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary Parish in Morris, first had an interest in infant nutrition when she studied dietetics in college. She was amazed by how women’s bodies were designed to provide nutrition.
Despite the body’s design, often mothers feel discouraged, ill equipped or have a lack of support when their baby arrives.
Thooft encountered mothers who believe they don’t have enough milk, experience latching problems, feel pain breastfeeding or their baby may refuse to nurse altogether. Even if it’s not the mother’s first child, new challenges may arrive.
“One piece of advice I often give new parents is to avoid comparing their baby to anyone else’s. Every baby is unique, and every family has its own story. God created each of us as individuals, with different personalities, needs and timelines for growth and development,” Thooft said.
“Comparison can easily steal joy during a season that is already filled with many emotions and adjustments. It can lead to unnecessary worry, dissatisfaction or feelings of failure.”
Thooft experienced first-hand some of these same challenges and was grateful for the support of a lactation consultant after each of her three children were born.
“It was very reassuring and she helped me know if I was [breastfeeding] right,” Thooft said.
After her own experience and witnessing needs of other women, she was moved to revisit her initial interest in infant nutrition and become a lactation consultant herself.
Through the coursework required to earn her international certificate, Thooft began seeing breastfeeding not only as a nutrition-focused practice but as a “relationship that fosters connection, comfort and growth” and looked forward to supporting not only the infant’s health, but the mother’s, too.
“I have the unique privilege of caring for both the mother and the baby. Unlike many healthcare professionals who focus primarily on one or the other, I view them as two individuals engaged in a beautiful and interconnected relationship.”
Through her business, she provides in-person, virtual and phone consultations.
To have her assistance reach as many people as possible she partners with The Lactation Network who connects with commercial insurance companies to determine if Thooft’s services are available free of charge.
Repeatedly, Thooft has witnessed mothers feel empowered and grow in confidence while feeding and caring for their babies, which brings her joy in her work.
One of her clients shared, “Alyssa took the time to get to know my baby and me and made us feel comfortable. I never felt rushed or that I was not going to get all my questions answered. She eased my anxiety and concerns with being a new mom.”
Seeing her impact, Thooft developed a desire to share her knowledge even more widely by creating an online course. The seven 15-minute sections, which launched last April, are available through her website, lactationwithalyssa.com.
Thooft hopes the course will allow new parents to feel less panic and stress after the baby arrives and looks forward to seeing how this platform will empower mothers.
She said, “It’s amazing what a little education and confidence can do to help new parents! I love having a front row seat to this important stage of life.”
As August, which is recognized as Breastfeeding Awareness Month, comes to a close, Thooft hopes all members of parish communities feel encouraged to accompany breastfeeding mothers.
Here are ways she suggests providing support:
- Set up a meal delivery schedule with parishioners to bring meals to the new parents’ home.
- Offer a warm smile and welcome when they attend church with their newborn regardless of whether the baby is crying or sleeping quietly.
- “A reassuring smile can go a long way.”
- Welcome breastfeeding in the pews.
- Have a private place the mother can go to feed or use a breast pump if she prefers.
- Offer to help open doors, carry bags, get the mother a drink of water.
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“A newborn is most comfortable in their mother’s or father’s arms, so anything we can do to support that and prevent the spread of germs to the new baby is helpful.”
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- Connect the parents with local resources.
- Introduce the couple to other new parents in the parish.
- Invite them to events taking place at the parish.
- “They may not know they are welcome to come with their baby.”