Our team member spotlight of the week is of Natasha. She is our breastfeeding peer counselor here at the NEMS Birthing Project. She supports and educates mothers in their choice to breastfeed their babies and is there with them every step of the way. Here is what she has to say:
“My name is Natasha Long and I am a breastfeeding peer counselor at the Northeast Mississippi Birthing Project. I have a college degree in computer programming as well as I have my certification as a breastfeeding peer counselor. I have five children, and it’s three girls and two boys. What I love most about being a part of the NEMS Birthing Project is the fact that I have met an awesome group of women that are great to be around as well as they show everyone love and respect. Great women to get advice from. I love the support and education that I am sharing with the women in my community. My biggest accomplishment is seeing how I have the opportunity to encourage women to have their own voice. They have learned to ask questions about what they don’t know or understand as well. Also, I am getting more women to breastfeed for longer periods of time then they originally planned, and educating the family about breastfeeding. The one thing that I would have in my bag are the balls that shows the size of a baby stomach and the reason is because most people are visual learners and when you can show them what you are talking about then you can get them to understand. My goals as a breastfeeding peer counselor is to improve my communities premature birth rate, breastfeeding rate, to educate them with the knowledge and information, truths and myths about breastfeeding, and share my breastfeeding experience with them.
My goals in life are: to become financially stable, to show people in the community that you can do anything that you can put your mind to as long as you are willing to put in the work, to show my community to never give up and to continue to fight for what they believe in. In my free time I enjoy reading, playing softball, going to church, and spending time with my family and friends. My favorite quote is: “The first to apologize is the bravest. The first to forgive is the strongest. And the first to forget is the happiest.” My favorite scripture is: ” I can do all things through Christ that strengthens me.” The last thing that I want anyone to know about me is I am a loving, honest, trustworthy, loyal, straight to the point, caring person that believes in helping anyone that wants to help themselves.”
Interested in working with Natasha towards your breastfeeding goals? Feel free to contact us at 662-269-3123 or instantly on Facebook.
Northeast Mississippi Birthing Project 
Fantastic to hear from you, Natasha – Thank you for the work you do every day! .