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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