Many parents experience significant pressure and responsibility when it comes to feeding their new child, particularly around breastfeeding. This is especially true for the individual providing nourishment and nutrition through breastfeeding.
Today on Yoga|Birth|Babies I haveChana Topek Diamond. Chana is a licensed clinical social worker, doula, lactation/feeding counselor and childbirth educator. She earned Masters in Social Work from Yeshiva University and worked for many years in both clinical and administrative roles at NY’s largest health and human service agency. Chana works with Helping Hands Psychotherapy, a group psychotherapy practice based on Long Island that specializes in working with folks in the perinatal community.
With her multifaceted background in social work, lactation consulting, and doula services, Chana brings a unique and holistic perspective to this conversation. Her insights, affirmations, and empathy are incredibly valuable for anyone navigating the challenges of feeding a new baby. If you’re feeling the mental load and overwhelm that often accompany this stage, remember—you’re not alone!
In this episode, you will learn:
- About Chana and what led her to birth work and focusing on the perinatal community in her work as a clinical social worker
- About the complexities of choosing to breastfeed or not to breastfeed
- Chana’s definition of what the mental load of breastfeeding is
- The impact infant feeding can have on a new parent
- The challenges Chana sees with your clients, as a certified lactation consultant, when it comes to breastfeeding
- How societal pressure to breastfeed impacts the mental overwhelm new parents often feel
- Some ways to lessen the mental load of breastfeeding
- The link between breastfeeding and anxiety
- How Chana, an LCSW specializing in postpartum care, supports individuals who initially planned to breastfeed but later realized it wasn’t a viable option for them
- One final tip or piece of advice Chana would like to offer new and expectant parents
- Where you can find her work
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About Chana:
Chana is a licensed clinical social worker, doula, lactation/feeding counselor and childbirth educator. She earned Masters in Social Work from Yeshiva University and worked for many years in both clinical and administrative roles at NY’s largest health and human service agency serving some of NY’s most vulnerable and at risk people.
A passion for individual connection and commitment to the resilience of all people brought her into private practice. Chana works with Helping Hands Psychotherapy, a group psychotherapy practice based on Long Island that specializes in working with folks across the reproductive/perinatal spectrum.
Becoming a birthworker found Chana after starting her formal social work career and what began as an interest has grown into a small business and true heart work. Chana became a labor and birth doula in 2011 and has been supporting families since then as they grow their families and become parents. Chana now works as a private labor and birth doula, lactation/feeding counselor and childbirth educator.
Chana approaches pregnancy, labor, birth, feeding and parenting from a realistic and compassionate perspective. She offers empathetic and unconditional support for pregnant people and their families as they grow. The belief that birth and parenthood are chances and spaces in which to grow, explore and gain a sense of self is one that guides Chana’s practice.
Chana lives on Long Island with her family. In addition to talking about anything perinatal all day, every day, she volunteers at her synagogue and at her children’s Jewish day school. Chana loves listening to podcasts, building community and finding anything that will make her laugh.
Connect with Chana:
IG: @doulachana
www.doulachana.com
www.hhptherapy.com
Check out similar Yoga| Birth| Babies episodes:
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