Your Blooming Breastfeeding Journey

Some of these questions may require difficult and deep reflection. You are not alone! A list of suggestions will be provided at the end of the questionnaire to guide you in next steps you may want to take! Remember this form is confidential and for you to share per your discretion. Please grab a pen and paper.

Think about your closest influences (grandma, mom, sister, friends, social media), how did or do they feed their babies? If they didn’t/do not breastfeed, what are some of the reasons why?

How were you fed as an infant? How did your mom or guardian describe food as you grew up (ex: nourishing, bad, scarce, fatty, delicious, forced to finish)? 

How has the way you were raised to view food influenced the way you interact with food today? What habits may you have formed that might not be serving you? 

Write down any of the options below that you have struggled with:

 Dieting Restricting   Throwing up Binge Eating

  Surgery to change body image      Excessive negative self talk about body 

Cutting                Body dysmorphia             Over exercising 

If you already have children, how did you feed them when they were infants? What went well? What was difficult? 

How does this previous experience influence the way you feel about the journey ahead? If this is your first baby, what thoughts are you having regarding the reflection you’ve written out above?

How do you desire to feed the baby you are currently carrying? If you are planning to breastfeed, for how long do you see yourself breastfeeding?

What emotions do you have around the anticipated journey of feeding your new baby? Make a list and write out what is coming up for you in this reflection. 

How confident do you feel about your body being able to provide all the food your baby needs? 

 Not confident at all                 Fairly Confident                 I am SO confident!    

How confident do you feel about being able to meet your feeding goals?  

 Doubting I can do it             It might be possible       No doubt, it’ll be great!   

Pause here and take a deep breath. You are doing important work. 

 You are brave and on the path to a holistic breastfeeding journey!

Below are some suggested ways you can continue on this journey of exploration!

Pray about things that have come up for you. Ask God to heal wounds, shift your perspective, and give grace where needed. 

Share your answers with someone you trust and love. Being open and vulnerable is a great step toward healing and being ready to give your baby a wonderful breastfeeding experience. 

If on question 9 you circled you are not feeling confident, I invite you to study the bible verses below- Underlining God’s promises to you or what stands out.  

For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago.

Ephesians 2:10

For you created my inmost being;

you knit me together in my mother’s womb.

I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made;

your works are wonderful,

I know that full well.

Psalm 139:13-14

And God is able to bless you abundantly, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work.

2 Corinthians 9:8

Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.

James 1:17

On Question 10 if you are not so sure about meeting your goals–  Feel free to reach out to Kaitlyn for support, or find a friend who has successfully breastfed, a local IBCLC, or woman knowledgeable in the breastfeeding journey! You can write out a solid postpartum plan, including who is going to be in your corner to cheer you on to meet your goals! 

Lastly, if you underlined any of the options on Question 4 and need more support, please reach out to Alisha or Kaitlyn. We are happy to discuss further or help find you the right resources to support you on the path towards healing.