Natural Parenting and Childbirth Educator Louise James is a passionate advocate of natural childbirth, breastfeeding and raising children in a natural environment. She has put together a series of documentary style videos covering all the basics of natural childbirth, breastfeeding and newborn care. The view2parent series provides evidenced-based information for those starting out on their parenting journey, as well as serving as a helpful refresher for parents.
The passion: What inspired you to set up your business?
It had been over 30 years since having my first child and I had gained too much knowledge and experience, through years of being a qualified childbirth educator, not to share the beauty of natural childbirth and breastfeeding in a more accessible way. As a hobby, I had been developing my skills with videographer and editing, to the point where I felt confident to produce an antenatal video series.
To turn the once important face-to-face classes of childbirth education into a video series was to meet a new generation’s need for information in the popular video format. This has now proven to be important in these days of isolation.
Aware of how the medicalisation of both childbirth and breastfeeding had developed over the years, I saw a need to be an advocate for mothers and babies. I stand in a unique position between the health professional and the parents. I believe in, practise and advocate for natural parenting, through generational knowledge, listening to our instincts and credible research. There is a lot of conflicting advice out there. I support parents building confidence in themselves and enabling them to make informed decisions for their own parenting journey.
The launch: How did you start out in the beginning?
World Breastfeeding Week was always important to me. I was employed by Women’s Health Action in 2005 as the Breastfeeding Advocate when we initiated ‘The Big Latch On’ that continues today. In New Plymouth, where I now live, I took the opportunity to premiere the breastfeeding episode of view2parent‘s antenatal video series, one evening during the week celebrating breastfeeding.
