BIPOC IBCLC, Tina Pangelinan, Reclaiming A Role
I was telling the Moms in the (fAMILIES of color) group meeting how you really changed breastfeeding for me. Like coming into my home - nonjudgemental. And, literally showing me step by step. Plain and simple it (breastfeeding) became. It was what I needed that lactation consultants and counselors don’t do - being personable! - Tina’s Client’s commentary
Introduction
We’re so glad to be in this space with you again virtually. This week we have our very own IBCLC and our Families of Color support group facilitator, Tina Pangelinan. She has practiced in the District for over 10 years since relocating from the Northern California Bay Area. As an instructor, has taught hundreds of families childbirth and postpartum baby care in addition to one on one lactation consultation. She serves as DONA international facilitator and has instructed hundreds of doulas Breastfeeding Basics. She partnered with The District of Columbia Breastfeeding Coalition in their Lactation Certification Preparation Course. In quarantine, she is working on being the best single mama she can be, practicing mindful self care, nurturing a new love, and staying active. Tina takes some time to reflect on her journey to The Breastfeeding Center and impact that the Families of Color group continues to have on herself and the clients. Her post comes at no better than time than the celebration of Black Breastfeeding Week 2020. Enjoy!
I am a fiercely proud Mama of 2 Afronesian(West African/ Micronesian) youth and I was entirely supported in my birth experience with both of them. I came to birthwork as a birth center patient myself and I continue to hold space with the families I met when I was pregnant. Prenatal group care has evidenced better outcomes for delivery as well as breastfeeding initiation. And, I will always be an advocate for perinatal group care. We are comforted by folks sharing and identifying with our experiences. The Families of Color support group offered at the Breastfeeding Center shares that same sentiment. We want to share with families that look like us and can appreciate our unique experience as folks of color in this country especially during this time. If I am able to guide you during the prenatal period, I believe the postpartum period can be less challenging. If I can support any family to initiate breastfeeding more comfortably, I have improved their chance to meet breastfeeding goals. If I can bring families closer during the precious earliest days, there are less stressors in the new world of parenting.
I have been privileged to work with birthing families from all over the world. I worked for 10 years in a freestanding birth center supporting nursing families and teaching childbirth, I am committed to the health and wellness of families and particularly BIPOC. Clinically I served under resourced families as well as immigrant populations.For years I shared the company of strong, beautiful, resilient families. We raised ourselves and our children in a special community of black and brown providers and educators. I was inspired by the extraordinary midwives I worked with and their passionate fight for reproductive justice ”Black Birth Matters.” Our collective mission is to strengthen knowledge of self, community, and hold each other, literally and figuratively! We strived to advocate for all the parents of color who, all too often, are seen and not heard..
I came to the Breastfeeding Center to start this group for “Families of Color” as a collaboration with Nova Birth Partners. The group is designed to build community support for families of color across the DMV, and because we meet virtually, the group has had folks come from across the country. It is beautiful to have the community create their own thread and talk to each other at all hours, they have each other in the middle of the night. The overnight feeds can be isolating and they can talk to each other knowing they are in similar places. Knowing the families have embraced each other and organically created their own space of support is why we believe in group care. These lovely parents have made the overwhelming work of a new baby just a little bit lighter by supporting each other.
We recognize and celebrate Black Breastfeeding Week 2020. Reclaim, Revive, Restore is this year’s theme and it couldn’t be more evident the healing that is happening for Black families through this work. Through their work to reclaim their right to breast/chest/bodyfeed when and how they choose, they pave the way for further generations. Families of Color, I thank you for supporting the space and supporting each other. I am grateful for each and everyone of you. I hope to shift the culture of diversity here in my role and bring as many families as I can the support they deserve.
