My year in review

Hi there!

Yes, the clock is ticking down to 2024!? I love the idea of using New Year's Eve as a moment of reflection and growth. Reviewing the past year with gratitude and learning from our experiences are vital for setting meaningful goals for the future.

This is how my 2023 went:

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After co-founding Baby Miracles Ghana, I felt passionate about contributing to policy research around maternal and child health. This motivated me to set ambitious goals for 2023, including completing a lactation training course, launching a Public health LinkedIn newsletter, and applying for a PhD program.

Becoming a Certified Breastfeeding Specialist

My journey to becoming a CBS was an unexpected one motivated by my? breastfeeding challenges as a preterm mother. I connected with Albertine Visbeek of Leaf Africa in 2019 when she told me about taking an online course on lactation management. I was grateful for a subsidy awarded in paying for the course due to my lower income country status as a Ghanaian. Armed with laser focus and detailed notes, I completed the LER lactation training course this year, ready to level up my support game especially for other preterm moms.??

The NICU to Home project

I didn't reach my target of supporting 200 preterm mothers through the NICU to home project. While securing the grant funding proved elusive, our team didn't let that dim our spirits. We stepped up with virtual support, reaching 30 mothers (including full-term moms) on their breastfeeding journeys. Every latch was a victory!

Amplifying voices through a newsletter

My newsletter on LinkedIn, with its 460 plus subscribers, became a platform for valuable discussions and led to unexpected opportunities like teaching breastfeeding classes at the Talkative Mom Studios. I'm grateful for your readership and engagement since this newsletter began.

My educational pursuit

After years of stalling, I finally took the plunge and enrolled in a Public Health PhD program. While balancing studies with other commitments has been challenging, it's already enriching my understanding of public health issues.

Looking Ahead: 2024

In the coming year, I plan to leverage my PhD research to inform the development of evidence-based policy for breastfeeding support. I'll also focus on scaling up the virtual support program for preterm mothers and refining my video content strategy for greater reach and impact. If 2023 taught me one thing, it was about making meaningful connections and not shying away from collaborations. In the coming year I intend to do more of these.?

The journey towards a healthier world through public health, maternal and child health, and empowered breastfeeding is a collective one. I invite you to join me in 2024! Share your stories, insights, and challenges in the comments below. Let's build a vibrant community where knowledge flows freely, empowering mothers, nurturing children, and shaping a healthier future for all.

Now, I'm eager to hear about your own year! What were some of your biggest triumphs and moments of learning in 2023? What aspects are you hoping to focus on and improve in the coming year?

Warmest thoughts and prayers for a Happy New Year!

Naadu Hazel