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Date: | Wed, 2 Feb 2005 10:08:29 EST |
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About a year and half ago I was given a grant from the Miccouskee Indians
here in South Florida to go do a class on Lamaze and breastfeeding. I learned
probably more than they did. I found out that it was a good idea to have an
elder present who could explain tribal customs. After a baby is born
breastfeeding is encouraged but there are many foods and customs that each tribe has so it
is important to know where you are going before you get there.
The tribe had a social worker who gave me many guidelines and liked the idea
that the elder woman who also happened to be a grandmother of several of the
attendees would be encouraged to come and share tribal and Indian medicine. I
bought evidence based information on how breastfeeding would help in
prevention of diabetes which is prevalent in Native Americans.
After a baby is born Indian medicine seems to prevail and then the clinic on
the reservation and finally going to the pediatrician.
In some cultures a woman has limited support because she is deemed "unclean"
until the baby is 2 moons old. The baby doesn't even get a name that is
spoken in some societies.
The most important thing is to find out specifics of your tribe regarding
birth and early parenting and respect them...they are fascinating. Find out if
eye to eye contact is offensive in the tribe I worked with it was...they sit at
angles so as not to look into the other person's eyes. Touching is also
something to investigate.
Good Luck and enjoy the adventure.
Leanne Jewell, RNC, LCCE, FACCE, IBCLC
SFL
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