Greetings!
This week, we kick off National Breastfeeding Awareness Month, with World Breastfeeding Week happening now. We are appreciative of how more widespread bodyfeeding education has brought this practice to the forefront of the perinatal experience. However, we often get panicked calls from parents who are unable to bodyfeed and are wracked with guilt, shame, disappointment, or fear that they are endangering their baby's health. Not everyone will be able to bodyfeed for reasons that may be physical, emotional, logistical, or related to trauma or mental health. This month we begin with an essay about the inability of Gazan mothers to bodyfeed due to all of these reasons, and how during World Breastfeeding Week, access and ability to feed are not equal the world over.
| Reflections on World Breastfeeding Week | |
We wanted to share a heartfelt essay from our Parent Resilience Program Manager, Elizabeth, reflecting on the many factors that influence infant feeding. "This World Breastfeeding Week, I explore my own feeding relationships with my babies and contend with the responsibility of reproductive justice advocates, birth professionals, and parents alike to engage with our responsibility to the mothers and their starving infants in Gaza. This is all influenced by the intersection of my identities as a parent, a perinatal therapist, and a Jewish person. And my experiences living and traveling in the West Bank, and practicing as a doula for Palestinian babies born in the diaspora."
| Navigating Anxiety, Motherhood, and the Power of Perinatal Mental Health Care | |
Maggie Meyers, board member and former PS-WA board chair, shares a powerful reflection in our blog on her journey through anxiety, pregnancy, and early parenthood. Her story underscores the importance of trauma-informed, culturally attuned care during the perinatal period, and highlights how connection to specialized providers, peer support, and ongoing mental health care helped her move from crisis to healing. Maggie’s experience is a reminder that no one should have to navigate the emotional challenges of new parenthood alone—and that healing starts with being seen, heard, and supported.
| For a complete list of qualified PS-WA member providers, like those that helped Maggie, please visit our Directory. | |
We're excited to announce that although Mom Prom founder Myla Rugge has stepped down from organizing the event, three amazing moms have stepped up to take her place in executing it. Event fans Sam, Alena, and Joscelyn are excited to keep the Mom Prom spirit alive and continue to donate proceeds back to PS-WA! As they explained, "Mom Prom is the ultimate night off. You're invited to come as you are - dance, or don't, dress to the nines, or roll out of bed. Parenthood is change, sacrifice, and growth — but Mom Prom is just for you. And we're so excited we get to carry this meaningful event forward. We're not here to change the vibe, but carry the torch: embracing inclusivity, making space for moms to feel celebrated, and throwing a kick ass party." Save the date for May 16th 2026!
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Are you pregnant or have a baby under 6 months old?
You may be eligible to join the IMAGINE Study — a University of Washington research project exploring how support groups via phone messaging apps can help prevent postpartum depression. All information is confidential.
What’s involved?
- Join an online support group led by a Perinatal Support Washington therapist
- Learn tools to support your mental health and well-being
- Complete surveys online or by phone
- Receive gift cards for participating!
You may qualify if you:
- Are 16 or older
- Have your own mobile phone
- Understand English or Spanish
- Live in Washington State
To learn more:
Call or text the PS-WA Warm Line at 1-888-404-7763
Email warmline@perinatalsupport.org
Or fill out this quick form: https://redcap.link/imagineuw
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