SDBFC is Opening a Second Location!

The San Diego Breastfeeding Center is thrilled to announce that we are opening up a second location!!!!  

Starting Wed, September 5th, we will be offering in-office breastfeeding consultations at the Tree of Life Birth Center in Encinitas.  It’s no secret that we often get booked up sometimes a week in advance, which breaks our hearts knowing that there are families who have to wait so long for a lactation appointment.  So we thought we’d try to add a few more appointments per day and Tree of Life had the space and the perfect location. Right off the freeway. Plenty of parking. Positive birthy vibes.  Awesome Parent and Baby classes. What more could you ask for?

We will start accepting appointments at the Tree of Life location the week before we open, so stay tuned if you are interested in being one of our first clients up there!  We will definitely miss Debbie and Michelle at our San Diego location, but know that they will make our Encinitas location just as cozy and welcoming!

For more information about booking breastfeeding consultations with us, please check out the consultation page on our website!

2018 Ultimate World Breastfeeding Week Giveaway!

The theme of World Breastfeeding Week 2018 is Breastfeeding: Foundation of Life.  In the spirit of helping families provide as much breast milk to their children as possible, these wonderful companies listed below do all that they can to support, guide, and protect a family’s ability to meet their personal breastfeeding and pumping goals. We are thrilled to partner up with them this year for our 2018 Ultimate World Breastfeeding Week Giveaway!

To celebrate World Breastfeeding Week 2018, 16 breastfeeding and pumping-supportive companies have donated items for an enormous Breastfeeding Mom Prize Package, valued at over $2000!  First we’d like to introduce you to the co-hosts of the 2018 Ultimate World Breastfeeding Week giveaway. Then, we’ll share all of the goodies that have been so graciously donated.

San Diego Breastfeeding Center:  A judgment-free online and in-person resource for evidence-based breastfeeding information and personalized assistance for mothers facing breastfeeding challenges.  Founded by Robin Kaplan, M.Ed., IBCLC in 2009, SDBFC offers private breastfeeding consultations, classes, free support groups, and an extensive blog. In August 2016, Robin started the San Diego Breastfeeding Center Foundation, a 501(c)3 non-profit organization which offers reduced-rate lactation consultations to families with financial need.  In 2018, Robin published her first book, Latch: A Handbook for Breastfeeding with Confidence at Every Stage.

The Badass Breastfeeder: The Badass Breastfeeder is a blog written by Abby Theuring, a social worker, writer, public speaker, activist, wife and mother of 2 who lives in Chicago, IL. The blog empowers mothers to breastfeed in public, and to breastfeed beyond infancy. It encourages moms and dads to trust their parenting instincts and helps parents develop the confidence to make important decisions for their families. It’s also the personal story of one family’s struggles through the ups and downs of attachment parenting. Unlike many parenting blogs, it paints an honest, authentic picture of the stressful moments that come along with being a parent. The Badass Breastfeeder is a global community of moms and dads who share their experiences so that we know we are not alone.

How to Enter the 2018 Ultimate World Breastfeeding Week Giveaway

You may enter the giveaway from August 1, 2018 - August 8, 2017.  On August 8, 2017, we will announce 1 lucky winner of the Breastfeeding Mom Prize Package.  Winners must live in the United States or Canada.  Enter from the Rafflecopter below.  (If you are seeing this blog post from our newsletter email, click through to go to our website to enter the Rafflecopter)

Check out these year's prizes!

One Calypso To Go pump from Ardo. The Calypso-To-Go is the ultimate collection with all you need to be totally mobile when you are expressing. The collection includes a double breastpump plus a complete selection of breastfeeding accessories, easy to transport in a stylish breastfeeding bag. Accessories also include: cool bag and cooling elements for storing breast milk.

One Pippa All In One Nursing and Handsfree Pumping Bra from Dairy Fairy.  It lets you nurse, handsfree, pump and adjust to your constantly fluctuating size.

One item from GlamourMom. The original expert in full support nursing bras built into stylish tanks and tops.

One Milk-Saver. One Milk Tray, one Nursing Blend, one Nursing Time Tea, one Softies Nursing Pads, and  one Nipple Nurture Balm all from Fairhaven Health. Milkies by Fairhaven Health is a line of innovative breastfeeding products to help moms reach their breastfeeding goals! Products include breast milk collection and storage solutions to help moms returning to work, as well as supplements, teas, nipple balm, nursing pads, and much more!

Freemie Closed System Collection Cup Set.  Pump with your shirt on—anytime, anywhere, with Freemie!

One $50 gift certificate for Lactation Granola Bars from Oat Mama.  Undeniably delicious and packed with brewer's yeast and healthy fats from nuts and seeds, Oat Mama lactation granola bars are lovingly crafted by breastfeeding mamas for breastfeeding mamas.

One $50 gift certificate from Momzelle.  Momzelle's mission is to help mothers feel comfortable and confident breastfeeding in public by designing high quality, affordable and super cute nursing wear.

One Breastfeeding/Nursing Necklace from Wee Kings.  Wee Kings nursing necklaces are the perfect distraction for baby's hands while being fed, and are a stylish, practical accessory for mom to wear.

One $100 gift certificate from Vida Leche Amor. Vida Leche Amor is a collection of fashionable tops and dresses designed to be worn during the full-term breastfeeding relationship and beyond.

$45 gift card from Udderly Hot Mama.  You'll feel so stylish and enjoy the quick access to nursing so much that you'll want to wear this shirt all year round. The patent-pending inside flap, included in every Udderly Hot Mama® nursing garment, provides extra privacy during a feeding. When baby's weaned, you can easily remove it and add your top to your everyday wardrobe.

One $75 gift certificate from Milk Nursingwear.  Milk Nursingwear designs chic nursing tops, nursing dresses and nursing sleepwear that feature hidden openings making breastfeeding anywhere, anytime both convenient and discreet.

LatchPal and a Little Zip Pocket Blanket from LatchPal.  LatchPal is the only breastfeeding clip of its kind; the one-handed, patented, quick fastening method makes it easy for postpartum and pumping mothers to secure their shirts and nurse in comfort.  It also doubles as a nursing reminder clip! Little Zip Pocket Blanket is a fashionable and functional blanket that can be used for cuddling, nursing, and carrying your parenting necessities. This innovative blanket has a hidden zipper pocket that stores diapers, wipes, breastfeeding accessories, and more.

One Prenatal Bundle from Rumina Naturals.  Our Prenatal bundle includes three of our best selling products.  Our Womb to Grow complete prenatal vitamin,with Methylated folate, will nourish mom and baby from the inside out while our Totally Tallow skin cream will provide soothing moisture to a growing, glorious belly! Our Baby Rump Rub is a must-have for all new Mommas to help heal and protect those tiny bums from diaper rash right from the start and a jar of our Ouchie Momma nipple cream A soothing balm to accelerate the healing of sore, cracked nursing nipples.

Set of Visy bras from Nurse Me Mama.  Its soft cotton & stretch frame assists in cupping around breast. The visual graphics on frame helps  baby focus and latch!

Breastfeeding Friendly Seed Tee from Cuarto Creciente.  Designed for functional nursing without having to lose style, comfort and most importantly without feeling exposed when nursing in public. Seed t-shirts are locally made in Vancouver by a lovely couple who has been in business for over 30 years.

Brand New Forward-Facing Carrier by Tula.  Baby Tula JUST introduced their new Tula Explore Baby Carrier. This stylish carrier not only offers a fully adjustable panel to help you keep baby close from early infancy but, for curious babies, the Explore Baby Carrier lets your baby face out and see their little world.

Latch: A Handbook for Breastfeeding with Confidence at Every Stage by Robin Kaplan. Latch is a judgment-free guide to breastfeeding that will teach you exactly what you need to know to meet your own personal breastfeeding goals.

Enter NOW and best of luck!!!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

 

Tulas, nursing bras, free classes, Oh My!

So you thought you were just coming to the Big Latch On event to hang out with friends and latch on your kiddo, right?  Well, wait until you see all of the fantastic breastfeeding and pumping swag you have the opportunity to win at our drawing on Saturday!  

We feel incredibly fortunate to have the support of so many local businesses and national breastfeeding-friendly companies.  These businesses have graciously donated goods and services to help raise money for the San Diego Breastfeeding Center Foundation, our non-profit organization which offers reduced-fee private breastfeeding consultations for local low-income families.  Last year we raised about $2500 for our foundation at the Big Latch On event and we are hoping to DOUBLE that this year!  

After you register at the Big Latch On, you will have a chance to purchase opportunity drawing tickets.  You will receive one free ticket with registration and the rest can be purchased for:

$1 - 1 ticket

$5 - 6 tickets

$10 - 12 tickets

$20 - 25 tickets

ALL proceeds will be donated to the San Diego Breastfeeding Center Foundation

At 10:45am, we will begin to announce the winners of each prize.  You must be present to win the prize.

Ready to see what you have the chance to win????

Nature’s Whisper - 3 yoga class package

Gymboree - Gymboree gift basket with toys and free month of classes

Rumina - several Pump&Nurse bras and tanks

Tula - Standard Canvas Carrier, Toddler Canvas Carrier, Free to Grow Carrier, 2 sets of 3-pack blankets

Dairy Fairy - nursing and pumping bras

Kid Ventures - 5 free passes (worth $90)

Becoming Peaceful - Free parent coaching session and free parenting workshop

Freemie - Liberty pump with deluxe cup

Ardo - Calypso Double Plus pump

Nutrition in Bloom - free classes and free private nutrition counseling session

Sugar Night Night - Two Sleep Coaching Starter Bundles

Deanna Honda - 60-minute massage

Ashlee Hayden - Family photography package

Whole Family Wellness - Free New Patient Acupuncture visit

Whole Heart Photography - 2 mini photo sessions with 10 images

Milestone Mommy and Me - Milestone Mommy and Me class series

Dr. Rachel Hamel - New patient chiropractic exam and treatment

Voila Montessori - A Montessori Personalized Home Assessment

Nourish Medical Center - New Patient Consult

Nursing Noah - Teething necklace

Belmont Park - 4 unlimited ride tickets

Amorini - Silver Nipple Soothers

Glamourmom - Nursing tanks

Baby Garten Studio - Free baby sign class series

Songbirds Music - Music class gift certificate

Madri Collection - Tunic nursing top

Mamas and Milk - 5-pass yoga series

Sacred Healing Collective - set of lactation tea and a relaxing herbal bath soak tea blend

If you are unable to attend the Big Latch On this year, but would still like to donate to the SDBFC Foundation, you may do so through our website at anytime.  You can also choose us as your charitable recipient through Amazon smile.  Just one click and .5% of every Amazon purchase you make will be donated to our Foundation!

Meet the Sponsors of the San Diego Big Latch On 2018!

Grateful.  Honored. Humbled.  These are just a few of the words that come to mind when I think about the support system we have in San Diego for breastfeeding families.  When we started the San Diego Breastfeeding Center Foundation in 2016, we had no idea how we would fund our nonprofit. We just knew that we had to start minimizing barriers that prevented low-income families from accessing critical breastfeeding support.  We hit up our friends and family, who graciously donated enough money to get us started. Going forward, colleagues (many in the birth and postpartum community), patients, passionate breastfeeding families, and local businesses have joined to support our cause.  To date, we have offered 141 reduced-rate breastfeeding consultations and there is no way that we could have ever gotten this far without our community’s support.

Which takes me to our sponsors of this year’s Big Latch On event.  This event is our biggest fundraiser of the year and these sponsors have helped us already raise $2500, which is halfway to our event goal!  So, it is my extreme pleasure to introduce you to this year’s Big Latch On sponsors.

 

Co-Sponsor: Kid Ventures

‘Kid Ventures is leading the way in children’s enrichment and “edutainment” which is evident from the moment you step foot inside our warm and inviting Kid Ventures facilities. From the friendly and caring greeting provided by our team to the highly engaging, entertaining and educational activities & STEAM classes facilitated by our very own “Edutainment Coordinator”, your visit will be an enriching and memorable experience. With so much to discover, our focus is help children develop a life-long love of learning and creative exploration through fulfilling many social, physical and emotional needs.  

We are so excited to be co-hosting the Big Latch on this year because we are a home away from home for so many new moms and families providing a safe and comfortable environment to nurture and grow.  We're also lucky to be located at one of San Diego's most vibrant and family-friendly neighborhoods--Liberty Station--which makes it the perfect location for the Big Latch On.'
 

Diamond Sponsor: Future Generations

‘Future Generations is one of the top clinical chiropractic practices in the country. Our focus is three main areas of life: preconception, pregnancy and pediatric chiropractic care. Our patients come to us because of our level of commitment and accountability to their health improvements. This is possible because we focus on Corrective care (fixing the problems) so that their ultimate goal is wellness care (ensuring their health).  We envision an empowered community who have full confidence in their ability to self-heal. We see our role in the community to grow as our patients continue to be a beacon for what’s possible with health and healing.

We're so ecstatic to be a part of The Big Latch on again because we know the San Diego Breastfeeding Center Foundation is changing the world by empowering and educating women, and by helping normalize breastfeeding.’

Diamond Sponsor: Little Star Pediatric Dentistry

‘We are a pediatric dental office that takes an innovative, comprehensive and compassionate to providing care to children of all ages and abilities.  As a pediatric dentist, I have the opportunity to use my skills, to make each child feel secure and comfortable in their dental home. My practice philosophy is to provide the same care that I would want my own child to receive.  I believe patient and parent education to be of utmost importance.’ - Dr. Najmeh Hannanvash

Platinum Sponsor: Nature’s Whisper Yoga

‘Nature's Whisper is the guiding force for new families in San Diego. We offer classes and workshops to balance the mind, body and soul in your pregnancy, birth and postpartum journey. From yoga, mom and babe classes, breastfeeding, postpartum support to core classes, we have it all. We invite you into the Nature's Whisper Hive. At Nature's Whisper we understand the journey breastfeeding can take you on. We support you from day one and love every opportunity we are given to educate and provide a welcome space for you to find your way on this journey. Having the opportunity to meet with you in person outside of the big tech world is the biggest reason we are so excited to be out here with you at The Big Latch On!’  

Platinum Sponsor: Gymboree

‘Gymboree Play & Music has been fostering creativity and confidence in children ages 0-5 for over 40 years. Today there are over 700 locations in 40+ countries, making us the global leader in early childhood development programs. Designed by experts in both education and in play, our age-appropriate activities help develop the cognitive, physical and social skills of children as they play. Our programs are also recognized for their unique approach to parent involvement—which encourages participation in and understanding of each child’s development.   

Our class curriculum is developed by our experienced child development program directors and incorporate a balanced whole-child approach with activities to support what your child is mastering right now and what he or she will aspire to later. Classes are designed in 6-month increments to continue to meet a child’s growing interests and abilities. From birth to age 5, there’s always something special awaiting you and your child at Gymboree Play & Music.’

Gold Sponsor: Sakura Bloom

CRAFTED IN CALIFORNIA

Small batch, ethical production.

The softest hand-dyed linens, hand-loomed silks, coziest bamboos, and locally tanned leathers.

Newborns. Toddlers.

On your front. On your back.

Three carrier styles, covering every stage. 7-45lb.

Gold Sponsor: Dairy Fairy

'Mommy-ing is hard. So many tasks to juggle but nourishing your little one should not feel like a chore.  Providing breastmilk (from the bottle or the breast) is easier and more attractive in our magical bras. All-in-one Nursing and Handsfree Pumping bras, in an assortment of styles that are beautiful, comfortable, and functional.  So your bra can multi-task as much as you do.'

Gold Sponsor: Center for Better Beginnings at UC San Diego

'The Center for Better Beginnings at UC San Diego is dedicated to improving maternal health and child development, with a focus on better understanding, preventing, and treating birth defects. Only in partnership with moms, dads, health care providers, and community leaders can we improve the health of our future generations. Our Center acts as a central hub to bring these key players together. Our focus is on a woman’s health before she becomes pregnant, during pregnancy and childbirth, and during lactation to explore how maternal and other environmental exposures impact a baby’s development.

The Center for Better Beginnings at UC San Diego is excited to be a part of this year’s Big Latch On event at Liberty Station! We are looking forward meeting all the amazing breastfeeding moms who will take part in attempting to break a world record! Stop by our Center’s booth to learn about our no-cost services aimed at supporting moms in their journey toward healthy, happy babies!'

Silver Sponsor: Best Start Birth Center

'Best Start provides a space where the beauty of natural birth can be experienced. Natural (physiologic) birth with a midwife provides good outcomes with a low rate of cesarean section, high rate of successful breastfeeding, low rate of interventions and satisfied, informed, and empowered moms and families. A beautiful memory for mom and her dear ones. Best Start Birth Center has been a model of good outcomes for decades and expects to provide this option to San Diego into the future. Good short and long term outcomes reduce the costs of childbirth thus giving a direct financial benefit to the community as well as enhancing family life.'

Silver Sponsor: Becoming Peaceful

'Becoming Peaceful is so honored to be a continuing sponsor for San Diego Breastfeeding Center’s The Big Latch On 2018. Lisa Howe, MSW, of Becoming Peaceful provides peaceful parenting workshops and one-on-one private parenting coaching to help parents become their best selves. Parenting, just like breastfeeding, can be so hard and so isolating. Reaching out for support helps each of us learn from one another and grow into the parents we want to be. Lisa received support and services from the San Diego Breastfeeding Center when her daughter was born and is grateful for the opportunity to assist other women in receiving that much needed support.'

San Diego Big Latch On 2018 T-shirts - One More Week of Sales!

Who wants an awesome Big Latch On 2018 T-Shirt???

We are so excited to partner up with Heart and Soul Printing, one of our favorite local designers and screenprinters, to offer you a San Diego Big Latch On 2018 t-shirt or tank top.  

Because you loved these shirts so much, we have extended the sale on these shirts from August 4-August 12 and they are still $15.  

All shirts can be picked up at the San Diego Breastfeeding Center - we will email you with the exact date.

All proceeds will be donated to the San Diego Breastfeeding Center Foundation to help pay for lactation consultations for local low-income families.  

Ready to see the awesome T-shirts????

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Dark Gray Ladies Racerback Tank - Available in XS, S, M, L, XL, and 2XL

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Mauve Ladies Slouchy Tank - Available in S, M, L, XL, 2XL

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Heather Gray Ladies Crew Cut Tshirt - Available in S, M, L, XL, 2XL

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For more details about the Big Latch On Event, check out our FB event page: 

https://www.facebook.com/events/2163609553861993/ 

As, well as our blog: 

https://www.sdbfc.com/blog/2018/5/22/save-the-date-big-latch-on-san-diego-2018

Breastfeeding After Exclusive Pumping

A few months ago, we sent out a Call for Breastfeeding Stories.  Our desire was to flood the Internet with beautiful breastfeeding and pumping stories of triumph, overcoming challenges and struggles, and positive outcomes, regardless of the total amount of milk a mom was producing.  We are thrilled to share these stories with you, our readers, and hope that they offer support and inspiration for you, wherever you are in your breastfeeding or pumping journey. 

Thank you to all of the mothers who submitted their stories!  If after you read these memoirs you are inspired to submit your story, feel free to send it to RobinKaplan@sdbfc.com.    

This memoir is from Amanda, from https://exclusivepumping.com/

When I was pregnant with my second child, I was planning to breastfeed her. I was also really nervous about it because of my experience with my first child.

After my son was born, we struggled with nursing while we were in the hospital. Each nurse suggested that I hold him a different way, and it always worked when they were standing right there. However, after they left and I tried to nurse again on my own, I could never get him to latch. I remember being so sleep deprived from labor that I couldn't really listen to what they were telling me and have it sink in.

Additionally, the hospital had a lactation consultant, but there had a been a huge snowstorm a few days earlier, and she "hadn't been seen since the blizzard." So that form of assistance wasn't available, unfortunately.

(After my nurse told me that, I had this mental image of the lactation consultant getting lost on her way to the hospital in a sleigh or something. Hopefully, she eventually made it back.)

After three weeks of struggling and my son still not being back up to his birth weight, I ended up deciding to exclusively pump for him. I had a lot of complicated emotions around this - guilt for not trying harder to nurse, inadequacy for not being able to make nursing work, pride in myself for managing to breastfeed by pumping only. As a Type A person, I became pretty obsessed with it - how much I was pumping, how much he was eating, how much my stash was, etc. Exclusively pumping became such a big part of my identity as a new mom that I started an entire website about it. 

So, when I was pregnant with my daughter, I wanted to make sure that she got breast milk, too, just like my son did. At the same time, I knew how hard it was to exclusively pump, and I was already terrified of having two kids under two years old. Exclusively pumping with a toddler and baby seemed impossible to me, and I wasn't sure if I could manage it again.

As soon as she was born, though, it was obvious that this baby had a completely different temperament than my son. While he had screamed for his entire first hour of life outside the womb, she just cried a little and then latched on like a champ.

There were definitely some bumps in the road over the first few days - again, I struggled a bit with latch in the hospital - but we moved past them pretty quickly, and she was back up to her birth weight after a little over week.

I have such great memories of nursing my daughter while on maternity leave. Some days (instead of going to Stroller Strides or trying to run errands) I would just decide to be lazy and spend the whole day on the couch with her - snuggling, switching to the other breast from time to time, and watching entire seasons of Game of Thrones.

I ended up nursing my daughter until she was 18 months old. I don't think I had much milk left at that point, and it was just part of her bedtime routine. When I ended up needing to go on a trip without her, my husband to put her to bed, and that was the end. I was sad to be done with nursing her, but it also felt like it was time.

Being able to nurse my daughter really helped me heal from the feelings of guilt and inadequacy I had felt after not being able to with my son. I'm so grateful for both breastfeeding relationships, though, because they taught me different things - my son taught me that I could figure things out as a mom even when things didn't go the way I'd planned, while my daughter taught me the importance of being in the moment and savoring time together.

So Your Kiddo Hates Tummy Time…. What Can You Do?

In 1992, the American Academy of Pediatrics started the Back To Sleep campaign.  The hope was that placing babies on their backs to sleep would reduce the amount of infants who succumbed to Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS.)  The second component of this Back to Sleep campaign was Tummy To Play; doctors knew if babies were going to be spending so much time sleeping on their backs that they had to counterbalance that with time on their tummies while awake.  Yet, somehow Tummy to Play has really taken a back seat, which has led to a significant increase in head molding, head flattening, and developmental delays.

Why is Tummy Time so Important?

• Improves motor milestone achievement

• Helps prevent skull deformities and helps round out a baby’s head

• Helps remedy torticollis

• Improves head control

• Decreases reflux

• Helps with digestion and gastric emptying

• Helps improve range of motion in a infant’s tongue

• Provides fantastic interaction between parent and infant

So, your kiddo hates tummy time…. What can you do??????

It’s all about how you do it!  Want to know the secret???

In late April 2018, our SDBFC staff attended the Tummy Time Method training.  Up until then, many of us were just placing our infants on their tummies, directly from holding them upright on our chests.  Then our infants would start to fuss almost immediately, so we thought that they hated tummy time. In all actuality, it was the transition to tummy time they hated, or better said…. The lack of easy transition into tummy time.  We were initiating their fight or flight reflex from the drastic movement from upright to tummy. In our training, we were taught that rolling an infant onto his tummy actually limits stress or overstimulation for the infant, making tummy time much more enjoyable.

So check this out!  We have been demonstrating this new rolling method to our patients and their babies are LOVING it!  Like full 180 from hating tummy time to totally digging it!

Here is a video, created by our awesome instructor, Michelle Emanuel, on how to roll your baby into tummy time.  

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pgeJM3u3_Tw&list=PL9hKPtJid7hRIlxJXwzmLXikP0DXCXjDi

Components of an super fun tummy time routine:

• Designate a tummy time area on your home - should be on the floor (with carpet or blanket)

• Roll your infant (2 weeks old - crawling) into tummy time 4 times per session, about 4-5 sessions per day. For reference, the video shows the baby rolled into tummy time once.

• Make sure to get down on the floor and interact with your baby.  Have older siblings join in on the fun, as well!

• As soon as your kiddo starts to fuss, roll her out of tummy time, pick her up and hug her close.  Then start again, if the session isn’t complete.

• Choose times when your infant is calm and relaxed, like right after a feeding session.  Tummy Time shouldn’t cause him to spit up more.

 

Are you excited to join us in the Tummy Time revolution?

Stay tuned for more information about our Tummy Time class series!  Starting in July, SDBFC will offer 2 Tummy Time 4-class series per month…. Perfect for infants who need a bit more hand-holding and for parents looking for more support (and a reason to get out of the house!)

Save the Date - Big Latch On San Diego 2018!

We can barely contain our excitement! 

Are you ready to find out the details for the Big Latch On San Diego 2018???

This year’s Big Latch On San Diego event will be co-hosted with Kid Ventures in Liberty Station!

All participants will have exclusive, free access to Kid Ventures for the entire morning! So, while you wait for the actual Latch On to occur, you can grab some coffee/breakfast at one of the many delicious restaurants, hang out in Kid Ventures, peruse the vendor booths (something totally new this year!), and bid on our awesome opportunity drawing items!

If you are a new to the breastfeeding world, you might be wondering what the heck is the Big Latch On?  The Big Latch On, is an event that started in New Zealand in 2005 during World Breastfeeding Week.  The mission of the Big Latch On is to protect, promote, and support breastfeeding women and each year groups of breastfeeding women come together at locations all around the world to latch on their children at a designated time and day in honor of this mission and to attempt to set a new record!  Our Big Latch On event will also serve as a major fundraiser for our non-profit organization, the San Diego Breastfeeding Center Foundation.

Here are the preliminary details.  We will begin to share more about the event over the next few weeks!

When is the Big Latch On?

The Big Latch On event will take place on Saturday, August 4, 2018 from 8:30am-noon.  The actual Latch On (children latching on to set a world record) will take place at exactly 10:30am, so don’t be late!  

Where will the Big Latch On take place?

At Kid Ventures.  The address is: 2865 Sims Rd, San Diego, CA 92106.

Is there a charge to participate?

Not at all!  This event is totally FREE!

Please stay tuned for registration and agenda details!

Wondering how you and your business can get involved?

Since the Big Latch On event is THE major fundraiser for our nonprofit organization, we rely heavily on event sponsors and opportunity drawing donations.  It you are interested in becoming a sponsor or have a service/item to donate for our opportunity drawing, please send an email to our event coordinator, Liz Bradshaw, at LizBradshaw@sdbfc.com

Get Ready for the Biggest Breastfeeding Event in San Diego!

Meet SDBFC's Newest Lactation Consultant - Michelle Clookie!

We are so thrilled to introduce you to our newest lactation consultant at SDBFC! Michelle Clookie joined our team in September 2017, as a lactation consultant intern.  Since then, she has joined our SDBFC Foundation Board, is one of our support group leaders, and started to see her own patients on May 7th. Here is my interview with Michelle.  We can't wait for you all to meet her!

Michelle, tell us about yourself! 

I grew up in Southern California, and moved to San Diego 11 years ago after living in Austin, TX for 2 years. I met my husband, Jeremy, shortly after moving to San Diego and we have been married for 7 years. After 8 years in non-profit, where I focused on training, development and content writing, I decided to stay home with our little girl Charlotte when she turned 1. I fell in love with all things motherhood: the community, the support, and soon starting working for the Postpartum Health Alliance part time to help support Mamas. After having our son, Beckett, who is now two, I realized I wanted to go even further into supporting families. I decided I could combine my love for training, and supporting families, by becoming a lactation consultant. Supporting people through empowerment has always been my passion and my work, and this has by far been the most fulfilling. I work part time and then spend as much time as I can with my kids and husband at the beach! 

What inspired you to become a lactation consultant?

I had breastfeeding challenges with both of my children, and because it was so unexpected with my first baby, it took a long time for me to accept the situation. I tapped into a lot of support, and these struggles allowed me to see an incredibly supportive side of the San Diego mom community.  I quickly began doing all that I could to help normalize breastfeeding and motherhood challenges. This just feels like the most natural next step in my support of all things mom/baby/family. 

What are you most excited about working with SDBFC? 

I have been a patient of the SDBFC two different times, and I am most excited to offer the same quality care I received to the families I work with. I am also really proud that SDBFC supports so many military families. I have a deep respect for the sacrifices military families make on a daily basis, and I feel honored to be able give back to their families anyway I can. 

What are your top 3 tips for a brand new breastfeeding family? 

1. Surround yourself with people who have similar goals. There are many different ways to parent a child, and I have found it easier to achieve my parenting goals when I surround myself with others who share my same vision. Breastfeeding can bring on unexpected challenges, but when you are surrounded by people that understand your goal, it will be much easier to reach it! 
2. Have a plan, but keep your expectations flexible. I LOVE planning, and learned within the first 24hrs of parenthood (actually birth) that sometimes your kids have other plans. That’s ok. I have found it much easier to offer myself grace (and others grace) when I am flexible with my expectations. Things may not look the way you wanted them to, but there is still beauty there! 
3. Ask for help! There is a running joke not to ask me if I need anything, because I will gladly tell you my Costco shopping list. Motherhood wasn’t meant to be done alone, ask for help without shame. San Diego has the most incredible resources for families, if you are in need of support in any way, I can almost guarantee you that there is a loving person waiting to help you! A great place to start making those connections is in Breastfeeding support groups, baby classes (sign language, tummy time etc.), and baby wearing groups! 

WELCOME TO THE SDBFC TEAM, MICHELLE!