Isolated New Moms Now Rely On Online Village After Childbirth

KUT 90.5 | By Joy Diaz

Published April 23, 2020 at 3:35 PM CDT

Austin-based lactation consultant Ann Bennett.

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For new parent Tracy Franklin Squires, her first take on motherhood echoed that of most moms, during this time of isolation because of the coronavirus pandemic.

鈥淚 have an infant at home,鈥� Franklin Squires said. 鈥淪o, I鈥檓 terrified.鈥�

The 41-year-old Seguin woman gave birth in mid-February after years of in vitro fertilization treatments. Her baby was born premature mere weeks before COVID-19 began killing people in Texas and, right before Texas officials issued social distancing orders.

Before the coronavirus, new parents often turned to family and friends for expert advice in those first wary days after coming home from the hospital.

But now, they鈥檙e having to turn to Zoom or Skype.

And new parents are looking for ways to learn even the most basic skills like breastfeeding, turning to people like in Austin, a lactation consultant and author of the book 鈥� .鈥�

With clients connecting exclusively through screens because of COVID -19, Bennett said she鈥檚 visiting with moms all over the country.

鈥淚鈥檝e seen the background of New York and San Francisco," Bennett said.

Guiding new moms online is all about giving new moms specific verbal cues, she said.

After 15 years in the field, Bennett knows what correct breast feeding looks like, even if it is through a screen.

鈥淪o, when it鈥檚 wrong, it stands out like an elephant in the room with a lampshade on [and] wearing pajamas.鈥� Bennett said. 鈥淚t鈥檚 not like you walk in and say 鈥業s that an elephant?鈥� You go, 鈥榃hoa! That鈥檚 not right!鈥欌€�

Franklin Squires鈥� baby is now eight weeks old and some things are getting easier.

She鈥檚 still seeking the wisdom of her own online village. From tips on how to prevent postpartum depression, to when a fever is just a fever, Franklin Squires is not alone on her searches. She said 鈥渉undreds and hundreds and hundreds of people鈥� sign in to each Zoom session. She sees 鈥渁ll of these women in little squares popping up holding a little tiny baby鈥ust by themselves.鈥�

And there are new challenges ahead. Soon, she will go back to work as an assistant prosecutor with Bexar County. If orders are not lifted soon, she will be working from home with her new baby on her lap.