Welcome to Galactablog.
Hi! I’m Tamara. I’m an Internationally Board Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC) and also an accredited La Leche League International Leader. After spending the past decade in the Middle East, my family and I have recently resettled in Ireland.
I founded Galactablog when I was living in Beirut, Lebanon where I was a breastfeeding mother working as a Certified Breastfeeding Specialist. In Lebanon, initiation rates are high and nearly all new mothers attempt to breastfeed, however, very few continue to exclusively breastfeed and even fewer persist for the WHO recommended 6 month period. Mixed feeding is not only common but a pervasive public health issue as nearly all water sources are contaminated and poverty has forced many to “stretch” and water-down formula.
In Lebanon, like the rest of the Middle Eastern region, women WANT to breastfeed, but breastfeeding information, encouragement and support is sorely lacking, as are resources. This phenomenon is not just pertinent to the Middle East, but in many other parts of the world, where Lactation Specialists and mothers have to make do with what we have, or even “MacGyver” our own breastfeeding aids in times of need – particularly when we don’t have Amazon or Target to fall back on.
This is how the idea of Galactablog was born. I know Lactation Professionals all over the world have knowledge, information and tricks of the trade to share. Galactablog was created as a venue for Lactation Professionals and those aspiring-to-be to share their information, resources, recommendations, and tricks and tips. For those just beginning their lactation training (or even just considering it), Galactablog was established as a forum where one could obtain objective information and reviews about different lactation training programs.
The goal is that together we can create a wide array of breastfeeding support and resources that are accessible in many different capacities and to diverse populations worldwide. Through this, we can not only help each other grow as professionals, we can also form a community that will help families across the globe obtain their breastfeeding goals.
Thank you for sharing your website with me! I have been a volunteer breastfeeding community support resource since the late 1980’s. My helping style tends to be more like a village auntie folksy because I am not a healthcare worker. I have helped thousands of mothers reach their breastfeeding goals. I do not charge money for my knowledge.
LikeLike
Welcome to Galactablog Elly! You’ve been helping breastfeeding mothers and families for over 30+ years – that’s amazing and such an inspiration! That’s the goal of this blog, to share information that is relevant to healthcare workers, lactation specialists and those aspiring to be and those who just want to help others breastfeed. Where I am living now, we have a dearth of resources, so I’m trying to create a venue where we can all share and learn from each other. Frequently, we learn more from the comments on the posts (and shared experiences) than we do from the original post. That’s what I’m trying to do, is to create a dialogue for all of us all over the world. Thank you so much for following and commenting. I look forward to getting to know you better.
LikeLike
Hello
I’m so lucky to find your page !
How I can contact you please ?
I’m living in Kuwait and want to take your consaltation please for my baby’s health issues .
LikeLike
Dear Reem,
Thanks for contacting me. I sent you a private email message. Please check your email. I hope you find it helpful. Good luck!
LikeLike
Hi Tamara,
My name is Anna Sadovnikova. I study mammary gland biology and breastfeeding Medicine in the MD/PhD program at UC Davis in California.
I am interested in collaborating with you on a few educational resources and to get your opinion on my work in breastfeeding education, especially as it may pertain to health provider and patient education in Muslim-majority countries.
You can find more info about my work at http://www.liquidgoldconcept.com
Thanks!
I look forward to speaking with you. Usually, I am available on m/w/f after 12 PM PST.
LikeLike