Welcome to Women Who Empower, a new monthly series that celebrates women who use their online presence to empower others. The Women Who Empower series was born out of a desire to use my blog for more than just a few good laughs. I want to make a difference; to effect some kind of change in our world. And I want to support, encourage and celebrate women.

Everyday women like Dagmar Bleasdale.

Dagmar is a wife and mother who lives in Katonah, New York with her husband Don and their sweet little boy, Landon.  A writer, editor and social media consultant, she’s also the beautiful face behind Dagmar’s momsense – her wonderful blog about natural childbirth, breastfeeding and attachment parenting. Filled to the brim with resources and firsthand experience, time and time again the breastfeeding posts at Dagmar’s momsense have been an amazing source of support and encouragement throughout my breastfeeding journey.

Dagmar is passionate about encouraging, educating and empowering women to achieve their breastfeeding, natural childbirth and attachment parenting goals. And I’m excited to announce that I’ve chose Dagmar as the first woman in my Women Who Empower series.

Here’s what she had to say about breastfeeding, natural childbirth and empowering women:

You blog about motherhood, frugal and green living, and your life in Katonah (Westchester), NY, but your passion for breastfeeding, attachment parenting and natural birth is inspirational. Where does that passion come from?

Before I answer that, I have to tell you what an honor it is to be featured as the first Woman Who Empowers. This is such a thrill and I really appreciate you inviting me.

I want as many women as possible to have the same amazing, empowering experience I had with natural birth and breastfeeding. I want to inspire women to have the confidence to believe in their bodies and the knowledge and tenacity to say no to unnecessary interventions. But for that you need education first — I went to a 12-week Bradley course and ate and exercised specifically to be ready for the birth. Know what happens during the birth, know what the signs are of being in transition, for example. Then you can make informed decisions. I’m not superwoman and if I can have a wonderful, drug-free birth, I believe many more women can. Don’t think of contractions as pain, that was the key for me. Giving birth to my son was the most empowering thing I’ve ever done.

Breastfeeding was the thing I was looking forward to the most. I went to a breastfeeding support group before I gave birth and learned that it often isn’t easy at first, so I wasn’t surprised when it wasn’t. Breastfeeding is bliss to me, and I want to educate people about the amazing health benefits that come with it for child AND mother. I started writing Dagmar’s momsense when I found myself listening to mom after mom being sad that she didn’t succeed with breastfeeding or was afraid to nurse in public. I was always telling moms about the same free resources — that’s when I knew there was a huge need for more education and support. I never expected to be breastfeeding a 4-year-old, but I’m gladly taking on the role of poster child for extended breastfeeding to promote the benefits of that as well.

I didn’t even know I was practicing attachment parenting — I just did what felt natural. I believe we know what is best for our family and we just need to have the guts to tune out the people who tell us to do things differently. L has been co-sleeping with us since day one. It felt completely unnatural to have him lying in a crib, and nursing him at night was a breeze since I had him right next to me. I wish I would have taken advantage of  baby-wearing more, but I loved wearing him in our Maya wrap, especially when traveling.

You have a strong following and you’ve used that influence to reach out to women, empowering them in their breastfeeding and attachment parenting journey and you’ve certainly made a difference in many lives. What’s one piece of empowering advice that you could offer to women who are breastfeeding or passionate about attachment parenting and natural birth?

I believe in following your intuition. We usually have a sense about what is best for us or if something is wrong — we just have to have the guts to act on that. As mothers, we have great instincts, and they are usually right.

You know what also empowers? To be informed, to be prepared, to learn as much as you can about what you are passionate about. I’m a big believer in taking responsibility for your own and your child’s health — no one else is going to care about it as much as you do. You want to breastfeed? Line up your support system before the birth. Have the number of your local La Leche League mom on the fridge for when you run into problems at 3 a.m., for example. Your child is gluten intolerant? Get educated via the Internet and bombard the doctor with questions.

And find a support group of like-minded women — on Twitter, BlogFrog, or blogs — and reach out when you need help. The online community of women is amazingly supportive and knowledgeable.

How would you personally define the term “empowering women”?

To me, empowering women is about inspiring and encouraging them to follow their instincts and passions. We all know what is best for us, but too often fear of the unknown holds us back. Just go for it! What’s the worst thing that can happen?

I knew in my heart that coming to America with just two suitcases was the right decision. I had a gut feeling that breastfeeding would be this amazing experience, and it is. And if you have that kind of positive, hopeful attitude, doors open and things fall into place. Life is too short to live by what we think other people expect from you.

My life is more hectic and sleep-deprived than ever before, but I have never been more fulfilled because I followed my dream and found what I was meant to do: to be a mom and a blogger who writes about what she is passionate about and reaches out via social media to entertain, inform, and help others. People are responding to that enthusiasm and that is so rewarding.

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Dagmar is truly inspiring and I’m so proud to have her as a friend. Do you have an amazing woman you’d like to nominate for the Women Who Empower series? I’d love to hear from you. Click on over to the Women Who Empower page and share with me today.

*Photo credit, first image: Brannon Conza Photography.

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