What is your name? What is the name of your book and what is it about?
I am Ashley Kusi and my book is titled, My Tandem Nursing Journey: Breastfeeding Through Pregnancy, Labor, Nursing Aversion and Beyond. The book is my story about how I chose to continue breastfeeding my first child while I was pregnant for my second, how I dealt with my nursing aversion, losing my milk, nursing during labor and how tandem nursing my children affected my family. I also include a handful of other mama’s stories about gentle weaning, DMER (Dysphoric Milk Ejection Reflex) and their bonding stories. This book is a compilation of everything I wish I could have read when I began my tandem nursing journey, it covers all my struggles and the possible struggles when tandem nursing.
What is your background?
I am actually a stay at home mom for my two daughters, which is my dream job. I blog and co-host a podcast with my husband for newlyweds called The First Year Marriage Show. I also co-authored another book with my husband titled, Communication in Marriage: How to Communicate with Your Spouse Without Fighting. I am in the process of starting my personal website where I intend to blog about all the things that are important to me as a mom: Breastfeeding, tandem nursing, attachment parenting, empowering women, and healthy living.
What inspired you to write this book?
The inspiration for this book actually came from my husband. He was and is my biggest supporter when it comes to breastfeeding. My husband knew the struggles I have with my nursing aversion and asked how common it was, he was very intrigued. He suggested I write my story out for other women since there isn’t much out there that is an easier read with a low price point.
Who is this book written for?
This book is written for all my sisters of motherhood out there that are playing with the idea of nursing two children and mamas who tandem nurse. For the woman who just found out she is expecting her next child, but wants to continue nursing her older child. For the mama who is dealing with a nursing aversion and needs the resources to help support her with her decision to gently wean or continue nursing. This book is out there to help other women to feel empowered in their decision to tandem nurse in a society that is not generally supportive of breastfeeding let alone tandem nursing.
What can someone expect to gain from reading this book?
Anyone who reads this book will learn about:
*My personal journey through tandem nursing.
*Personal stories from other tandem nursing moms
*Links to support groups and other helpful resources
*Advice on deciding to gently wean or not, and how to do it with a personal story from one mama
*Different ways to help your milk supply in pregnancy, as well as information on how breastmilk changes during pregnancy
*What is nursing aversion and nursing agitation, as well as how to deal with it
*What DMER is, and other challenges you may face while tandem nursing
*What to expect when nursing and pregnant, how it can be beneficial to keep going
*Preparation tips fro tandem nursing, positions, and frequently asked questions
What do you want people to know about this book?
I want people to know I am not in any way an expert. I am simply a mother who wishes to share my journey of tandem nursing to help other mothers on their nursing journeys. Motherhood is about community and I wish to share the knowledge I gathered together with the resources I had.
Where can we read/see more from you?
You can find me at my website www.mamabearkusi.com (I just set it up so there is not much on there yet) or you can reach me by email [email protected].
