Robin Wrote a Breastfeeding Book!
One thing that many people don’t know about me is that I have always had a passion for writing. Before becoming a lactation consultant, I wrote curriculum for local museums and websites and wrote two unpublished children’s books. So when I was approached to write this breastfeeding book I knew that there was no way I could pass up this amazing opportunity.
Supporting new families through their breastfeeding journeys has truly been my calling. I love my job and the adrenaline rush I feel when I have empowered a family and helped them to meet their breastfeeding goals. There is so much more to breastfeeding than just latching a baby to a breast. There are nuances, both simple and challenging, that help make this process enjoyable and seamless. We, as lactation consultants, have the honor to facilitate this breastfeeding process, when needed, and this book is just one step in that journey. Latch: A Handbook to Breastfeeding with Confidence at Every Stage provides families with the supportive and educational basics they need while breastfeeding their children, from pregnancy to weaning.
Over the next few weeks, I will be sharing some content you will find in Latch. This book is a great baby shower gift, for even the most seasoned-breastfeeding parent, as well as something you will want to buy even if you have already started breastfeeding. Latch is already available for presale on Amazon at: bit.ly/LatchBook and can be in your hands as early as March 13, 2018!
Thank you for following along and I look forward to sharing more details about Latch over the next few weeks!
Iron Rich Foods for Infants and Toddlers
One of the most important nutrients for older babies, especially breastfed babies, is iron. Learn more about the best iron-rich foods for infants and toddlers.
Rachel is a pediatric dietitian and mom to an infant and toddler. She is the instructor of the “Introduction to Solids” at the San Diego Breastfeeding Center. Join us for the next Introduction to Solids class on February 17th at 10:00am. More information and registration can be found here.
At your baby’s 4 or 6 month checkup, your doctor may discuss starting your baby on solid foods. It is an exciting time – up until this point your baby has been taking in all of his nutrition from breast milk or formula, and you get to shape his palate with new flavors and textures over the next 6 months and beyond. Your doctor may have talked to you about introducing iron rich foods early on. This is because iron stores in your baby typically start to become depleted around 6 months of age. I typically recommend families wait until 6 months of age to start solids (although I have heard pediatricians recommend between 4-6 months).
It is common to hear that infant fortified cereals are a good first food. Why? Infant cereals are typically fortified with iron and lots of other vitamins and minerals, which is why foods like rice cereal have historically been discussed as a good first food. BUT now we know that iron fortified cereals are not the only option, and many parents skip them altogether to start on solid foods. Another benefit of skipping these cereals is that early exposure to more tastes and flavors has been shown to increase baby’s interest in the tastes and textures of new foods in the future. Here are some great iron rich foods to offer right from the start:
Meats: meats can be a great food to introduce early on. Try stewing meats or using a slow cooker to allow for a softer texture. If you are introducing pureed foods, you may need to add a bit of water with meats to allow the food to blend or try blending with other great first foods like avocado and sweet potato. If you are using a baby led weaning approach, try soft meatballs with minced chicken or beef. Make chili and soup with chicken, beef, turkey and lamb.
Lentils and beans: I love these as dips, added to a sauce or as finger foods for a bit older baby. Beans and lentils are super easy to make. Mash on their own or add to a sauce. And if you take my introduction to solids class, I always bring in a sample that’s parent and baby approved, such as my green pea hummus or lentils - you can use these interchangeably as a puree for baby or a great dip for a slightly older toddler or an adult.
Greens: spinach, chard and kale are a few food sources of iron. Saute them with other vegetables or combine them in a puree with meats. As your baby learns to drink out of a straw or an open cup add greens to a fruit smoothie for some added nutrition.
Eggs: Eggs are a good source of iron. An egg scramble with veggies is a great way to get in some iron, and lots of vitamins and minerals.
Grains: Often overlooked, but some grains are high in iron. Some of my favorites include teff, amaranth, quinoa and millet. Make cereals with these grains, use in chili or stew, or make muffins or bread.
These are only a few great sources of iron. Although breastmilk is typically thought of as a poor iron source, the iron in breastmilk is absorbed very well by baby and is still an excellent source of iron for your growing child.
And one more tip – iron is better absorbed with a source of vitamin C. So for better absorption of iron pair an iron rich food with something like citrus fruits, berries, broccoli, apples or tomatoes. Also- breastmilk is an excellent source of vitamin C!
And remember that providing a balance of nutrients is important – iron is one of several important nutrients once baby starts solids.
Want to learn more? Join me at my upcoming Introduction to Solids class at The San Diego Breastfeeding Center on February 17th. Click here to register and for more information.
Only a few more days to reach our fundraising goal - Will You Help?
Thank you for helping us raise $1900 during our fundraising campaign!
This month we had an enormous goal… to raise $10,000. While we didn’t meet our ultimate goal, we are so pleased with how much we raised, as this gives us a launching off point for the beginning of the year!
Thank you for helping us raise $1900 during our fundraising campaign!
This month we had an enormous goal… to raise $10,000. While we didn’t meet our ultimate goal, we are so pleased with how much we raised, as this gives us a launching off point for the beginning of the year!
Our Goals for 2018:
We hope to double the number of breastfeeding consultations for low income families from 52 to 100.
We hope to continue to collaborate with Project Concern International on trainings for their home health patient navigators, as well as provide home visits for their families in City Heights.
We hope to collaborate with additional local nonprofits who serve pregnant and newly postpartum women to provide breastfeeding education and support.
How you can help us reach these goals:
Make a last minute donation so that you get the 2017 tax write off!
Consider making a monthly recurring donation - A recurring donation of $7 per month will cover one consultation in 2018.... that's the minimal cost of 2 Starbucks coffees per month!
This will be the last email you will receive from us until 2018. Starting in January, we plan to send quarterly emails, just to keep you updated on all of our accomplishments. We hope you will continue to follow along with us on this incredible journey.
Thank you for your support and your donations! You are truly the heart and soul of our Foundation!
SDBFC’s help and support are the reason I am still able to breastfeed today. Without their assistance, I would have given up. I was hit with hurdle after hurdle with breastfeeding, and they've been by my side since my daughter was 2 days old. They've spent hours helping me whether it be home visits, office visits, emails, texts, phone calls, or the support group they run- they were always there and willing to help. I am beyond grateful for their knowledge and endless support.
- Amanda
Breastfeeding Truly Takes a Village!
A few months ago, we sent out a Call for Breastfeeding Stories. Our desire was to flood the Internet with beautiful breastfeeding 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 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.
A few months ago, we sent out a Call for Breastfeeding Stories. Our desire was to flood the Internet with beautiful breastfeeding 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 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 Breastfeeding Memoir is from Natalie
Before my son was even born, I knew I wanted to breastfeed him. I attended multiple classes on breastfeeding, stocked up on nursing pads, nipple butter, and felt as prepared as I could be prior to his arrival. After a precipitous labor/delivery, he ended up being born in front of the hospital! One benefit was that I got to hold him immediately, so we had lots of skin to skin time which was emphasized in the classes. We tried breastfeeding within one hour of his birth, and he immediately latched! We had a lactation consultant visit at the hospital, and she said everything looked great! I even scheduled my first lactation appointment at SD Breastfeeding Center when my son was 4 days old. We weren't having issues, but I quickly learned that breastfeeding my son was way different than the practice doll we used in the class! During that visit, I learned my son had lip and tongue ties. Nobody else evaluated him for these, but being tongue tied myself it didn't come as much of a surprise. Fortunately, he was transferring well and the ties did not seem to be interfering with his feeding.
Fast forward 2 weeks, and my son was not at his birth weight. He was feeding for over an hour, falling asleep, and seemed very irritable and unhappy. As a new mom, I assumed this was normal. I pushed on for another week and then decided to schedule another visit with the LC for an evaluation. There, I did a weighted feed and learned that he wasn't transferring effectively. The LC explained how he was being restricted by his lip and tongue ties, and this could potentially decrease my supply. She recommended I consider a release of his ties, so I immediately called a provider and had them addressed the next day.
I read how many mothers noticed instant results and symptom relief post release. I didn't notice immediate results, but was confident that things would improve over the next few weeks. When they didn't, I followed up with Melanie, our LC. She assessed him and noticed that he still seemed restricted, wasn't transferring adequately, and recommended we take him for body work. Due to his poor weight gain (6 oz in 2 weeks) she taught me how to use my breast pump and implement an SNS (supplemental nursing system). She also recommended a galactagogue supplement. Things weren't moving in the direction I wanted, but I was committed to do everything I could to continue breastfeeding.
At this point, I was feeling very defeated and inadequate. I felt like I was doing everything I could, and was so sad that my little baby was not growing at the rate he should. My pregnancy and delivery were so natural and without issue that I naively thought breastfeeding would follow. I called my sister in law, who happens to be a breastfeeding mother. She immediately came over with galactagogue-rich foods and tea, and even pumped for my son while I built up my supply!
After additional LC visits, support groups, and the implementation of bodywork, I made the decision to have a second release for my son. Even though we are still post op and performing stretches, I already am seeing results. My son is happier, and I no longer have to use the SNS system. I have a nice freezer stash of my milk, and he is thriving with weight gain. He's not even three months old, so I don't know how this journey will end. I do know, however, that I'll do everything I can to preserve our nursing relationship. Without the help of multiple providers, I'm not sure where we would be. "It takes a village" is such an appropriate phrase for this season of my life. I am so thankful to live in a community that has SO much support for breastfeeding mothers.
Help Us Make A Difference on Giving Tuesday!
Happy #GivingTuesday!
Breastfeeding is not always easy! Having personally experienced breastfeeding challenges with both of my kids, I know firsthand how critical breastfeeding support is for a mom in those first few weeks after her baby is born. Critical, both physically and emotionally.
Join me in helping local low-income women gain access to critical breastfeeding support on this #GivingTuesday.
Happy #GivingTuesday!
Breastfeeding is not always easy! Having personally experienced breastfeeding challenges with both of my kids, I know firsthand how critical breastfeeding support is for a mom in those first few weeks after her baby is born. Critical, both physically and emotionally.
Join me in helping local low-income women gain access to critical breastfeeding support on this #GivingTuesday.
Wondering how to do this?
We are asking you to help us #SupportSDMoms by donating your weekly coffee money! It’s that simple! If everyone on this email list donated $10-$20 today, the amount they would spend at a coffee shop this week, we would be able to raise over $40,000 on #GivingTuesday.
Can you help us reach this goal?
All you have to do is click on this Paypal link to donate this week’s coffee allowance and help bring affordable breastfeeding support to hundreds of local low-income moms.
After a fairly smooth pregnancy and birth, breastfeeding presented me with the greatest challenges in my journey to motherhood. Tula had a tongue tie that caused her latch to be shallow and excruciatingly painful for me. After the revision, she had trouble re-learning how to latch with the new mobility and ended up losing nearly a whole pound one week postpartum. That's when robin and the team at the San Diego Breastfeeding Center swooped in to the rescue.
Realizing our baby had been starving, we were wrought with concern and exhaustion. Robin was kind, supportive, and professional. She came to our home and was affordable, which was such a relief! She created a plan with us and she reassured us that we could reach our goals and get our baby healthy.
Five months later and we are going strong halfway towards our goal! Robin remains an essential source of support and guidance. Having access to these invaluable services, at the incredibly reasonable price point of $25, made all the difference.
- Lauren
DID YOU KNOW….
While 93% of moms start breastfeeding exclusively at birth in San Diego, only 56% continue doing so at 3 months, largely due to a lack of access to ongoing lactation support.
Lack of financial resources is reported as one of the main barriers for women to receive qualified breastfeeding support to help feed their babies.
Please join us today, on Giving Tuesday, to help more local families like Lauren's gain access to critical breastfeeding support!
To donate to the San Diego Breastfeeding Center Foundation, please send checks to:
San Diego Breastfeeding Center Foundation (3355 4th Ave., San Diego, CA 92103)
Read this before you shop on Amazon for the holidays!
Did you know that you can donate to the San Diego Breastfeeding Center Foundation with every purchase you make through Amazon?
You can help low-income women gain access to critical breastfeeding support just by purchasing Amazon items online, just by shopping through smile.amazon.com instead of amazon.com!
Did you know that you can donate to the San Diego Breastfeeding Center Foundation with every purchase you make through Amazon?
You can help low-income women gain access to critical breastfeeding support just by purchasing Amazon items online, just by shopping through smile.amazon.com instead of amazon.com!
We are asking you to take 60 seconds of your time today to designate the San Diego Breastfeeding Center Foundation as your charitable recipient for Amazon Smile. All you have to do is go to their website (smile.amazon.com) and choose the San Diego Breastfeeding Center Foundation as your Amazon Smile recipient. Or you can click on our direct charity link (https://smile.amazon.com/ch/81-1935497) Then as you make your holiday purchases through the Amazon Smile website (as well as your staples of diapers, nipple cream, baby toys, book, etc), the SDBFC Foundation will receive 0.5% of every purchase, at no extra cost to you. This money will go directly to paying for lactation consultations for families in need.
My baby boy was not able to nurse so I chose to exclusively pump for him. I was struggling with it and Robin came highly recommended to me. Our consultation was great! She really listened to my concerns and was so kind and gentle. She has supported us on our pumping journey and baby has only had breastmilk for 7 months now! Giving my baby the best nutrition was my #1 goal as a new mom and with the help of San Diego Breastfeeding Center it was possible!!! The reduced-rate consultation program they have in place made it very affordable for us. If it wasn't for this program, I'm sure we would not have made it this far. I'm so grateful to be nourishing my child and helping him be incredibly healthy!
- Janis
Amazon Smile Details:
AmazonSmile is a simple and automatic way for you to support your favorite charitable organization every time you shop, at no cost to you. When you shop at smile.amazon.com, you’ll find the exact same low prices, vast selection and convenient shopping experience as Amazon.com, with the added bonus that Amazon will donate a portion of the purchase price to your favorite charitable organization.
To donate to the San Diego Breastfeeding Center Foundation directly, you can send a check to:
San Diego Breastfeeding Center Foundation
3355 4th Ave., San Diego, CA 92103
Or donate through paypal.
Breastfeeding After Breast Reduction - A Memoir
A few months ago, we sent out a Call for Breastfeeding Stories. Our desire was to flood the Internet with beautiful breastfeeding 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 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 breastfeeding memoir is from Jenna
Ten years ago, eighteen-year-old Jenna was bouncing between San Diego and Los Angeles counties looking for a plastic surgeon. They had to be willing to do a keyhole incision and leave my nipple attached while they performed a bilateral breast reduction. I was a senior in high school and had my breast reduction surgery during spring break.
Fast forward six years. I find out I'm pregnant the day my boyfriend gets to Djibouti, Africa, where he'll be deployed for the next 7 months. I sought out a natural birth provider in my network after reading the book, Defining your Own Success: Breastfeeding After Breast Reduction Surgery by Diana West. In this book, it encouraged mothers to birth as naturally as possible for the best chance at breastfeeding after a reduction and this book had become like a Bible for me, so I followed its every recommendation.
A few months ago, we sent out a Call for Breastfeeding Stories. Our desire was to flood the Internet with beautiful breastfeeding 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 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 breastfeeding memoir is from Jenna
Ten years ago, eighteen-year-old Jenna was bouncing between San Diego and Los Angeles counties looking for a plastic surgeon. They had to be willing to do a keyhole incision and leave my nipple attached while they performed a bilateral breast reduction. I was a senior in high school and had my breast reduction surgery during spring break.
Fast forward six years. I find out I'm pregnant the day my boyfriend gets to Djibouti, Africa, where he'll be deployed for the next 7 months. I sought out a natural birth provider in my network after reading the book, Defining your Own Success: Breastfeeding After Breast Reduction Surgery by Diana West. In this book, it encouraged mothers to birth as naturally as possible for the best chance at breastfeeding after a reduction and this book had become like a Bible for me, so I followed its every recommendation. After finding midwives, a doula and a baby-friendly hospital, I looked for an IBCLC and a Breastfeeding 101 class. I knew I needed to be prepared or I would succumb to all of the "boobie traps" within the first few days. My daughter was born on the much later end of normal, well past 42 weeks, was 9lbs 11oz at birth, and was born with a tongue tie and upper lip tie. I was given hell at the hospital for not wanting to give her formula, after requesting several times to be seen by the in-house IBCLC. The nurses and pediatricians said they'd never seen a mother be able to exclusively breastfeed after a reduction and feared that I wouldn't feed my baby because of my determination to nurse.
At 6 weeks old, my daughter was diagnosed with life-threatening food allergies making even allergen-free, prescription-only formula not an option. The first six weeks I pumped after every feeding. My husband spoon-fed, finger-fed, syringe-fed, cup-fed, & I used an SNS. At our 2 month pediatrician appointment, our doctor told me to quit trying and that what we were doing wasn't sustainable. I sought out chiropractic care, craniosacral therapy, multiple tongue tie revisions, continuous IBCLC care, breastfeeding support groups, homeopathic remedies, acupuncture, removed all allergens from my diet, quit my job, and somehow decided, breastfeeding was worth it all. From eight weeks old, we exclusively nursed through recurring tongue ties, vasospasms, low milk supply, mastitis, severe food allergies, thrush, and an abscess, for over 3 years, through a pregnancy and tandem nursing for a year and a half. Her younger sister is 28 months and we don't see an end in sight.
We Were Not Meant to Mother Alone
A few months ago, we sent out a Call for Breastfeeding Stories. Our desire was to flood the Internet with beautiful breastfeeding 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 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.
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Our first breastfeeding memoir is from Michelle
I booked at least 2 vacations for my maternity leave, all on airplanes. I was going to wear my baby everywhere, nursing her as we went along. I had the organic breast pads purchased, all the nursing tanks, and the most breastfeeding-friendly bottles, but of course I wouldn’t need those for at least several months. I would see Mamas nursing their babes at the beach and I would find myself staring as I daydreamed about my nursling that was to come. December 2013, my sweet baby girl arrived. She latched and we were a nursing team. 24hrs later I was told she was Coombs positive and her jaundice levels were high. She was sleepy, was losing too much weight and I needed to give her formula in a bottle. I cried lots of tears. "FORMULA? No way!", but I had no other options. Every time I fed her, and I wouldn’t let anyone else feed her. I felt awful and felt like I was letting her down. 7 days later I was told, "your daughter is failure to thrive". Queue more tears, more formula, more guilt, and not a lot of milk being produced from me.
A few months ago, we sent out a Call for Breastfeeding Stories. Our desire was to flood the Internet with beautiful breastfeeding 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 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.
_____
Our first breastfeeding memoir is from Michelle
I booked at least 2 vacations for my maternity leave, all on airplanes. I was going to wear my baby everywhere, nursing her as we went along. I had the organic breast pads purchased, all the nursing tanks, and the most breastfeeding-friendly bottles, but of course I wouldn’t need those for at least several months. I would see Mamas nursing their babes at the beach and I would find myself staring as I daydreamed about my nursling that was to come. December 2013, my sweet baby girl arrived. She latched and we were a nursing team. 24hrs later I was told she was Coombs positive and her jaundice levels were high. She was sleepy, was losing too much weight and I needed to give her formula in a bottle. I cried lots of tears. "FORMULA? No way!", but I had no other options. Every time I fed her, and I wouldn’t let anyone else feed her. I felt awful and felt like I was letting her down. 7 days later I was told, "your daughter is failure to thrive". Queue more tears, more formula, more guilt, and not a lot of milk being produced from me.
Over the next month, my journey consisted of doctors’ visits, pumping 8x a day, a baby screaming at the breast due to bottle preference and low supply, tube feeding, domperidone, and yet my milk never fully came in. 5 weeks in, a friend asked me to go to a breastfeeding support group. I went and hoped no one would notice me feeding formula to my sweet baby who wouldn't latch more than 5 minutes. Everyone noticed, yet no one judged me.
3 months in, at the Breastfeeding Support group that I now attended weekly, a Mama who I hardly knew asked if I wanted her to pump for me, and then another offered to help, as well. This would begin my donor milk journey, and a mental shift in my head that allowed me to stop seeing what I wasn't capable of, and start enjoying the beauty that came from a community that would end up feeding both of my babes! I threw away my pumping and tube feeding schedule right along with the lies that told me I wasn't enough because I couldn't get my body to do what I needed to do to fully feed my baby. We kept nursing as much as possible until 10 months and she got half formula and half donor milk.
A few months later, I was pregnant with my son. After my prenatal appointment at the San Diego Breastfeeding Center, I got permission from my doctor to start hand expressing at 37 weeks to collect colostrum to give my baby in the hospital through syringe feeding at the breast to help flush any jaundice he would have since he would be Coombs positive, as well. I started to collect donor milk and I had a community that donated enough breastmilk to supply him 9 full months as I only provided him about 30% of his needs with my own supply. He was born and I had a tiny bit more milk and a lot more confidence. I knew that no matter what, a nourished baby is a loved baby. I knew now that if I needed to give formula, I wasn't less of a mother. If I fed my baby pumped milk, donated milk, only could nurse a few times a day, used a cover, didn't use a cover, nursed for 3 months or nursed for 3 years, no matter what, I WAS ENOUGH. Even after a 6 day stay in the hospital for his Coombs, a tongue and lip tie revision, and a micro supply, we nursed for 10 months with donor milk through the SNS tube feeding at the breast. We then fed formula in a bottle and nursed as often as he wanted. He nursed until 16 months.
Today I am working towards my IBCLC, because of the non-judgmental support I received from the San Diego Breastfeeding Center community. They didn't sprinkle magic fairy breastfeeding dust on me that fixed all issues, but they gave me a plan that was doable. They gave me tools to accomplish the goals I set for myself. They gave me hope and they provided me with a community that was there to cheer me on. When I think about my breastfeeding journey, it is less about feeding my children, and more about the discovery that we Mamas cannot mother alone; we were never intended to do so. It takes a village to raise a baby, and for me, it took a village to feed mine. I am forever grateful.
Awesome Opportunity Drawing at the San Diego Big Latch On Event!
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!
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!
Leading up to the actual 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. For a full rundown of the entire Big Latch On event, please check out our Facebook event page
Ready to see what you have the chance to win????
Dr. Stanton Hom - New patient chiropractic package
Dr. Karin Nealon - $200 craniosacral package
Rumina - several Pump&Nurse bras and tanks
Tula - Free-to-Grow carrier and blankets
Nature’s Whisper - 3 yoga class package
Deanna Honda - free massage
Morgan Gates - one-on-one makeup lesson
Ashlee Hayden - free photography package
Hands for Life Ocean Beach - Mama and Me chiropractic package
Good Vibrations - Free first chiropractic visit
Micah Arsham - Free Acupuncture visit
Whole Family Wellness - Free Acupuncture visit
Nursing Noah - teething necklace
Becoming Peaceful - Free parent coaching session and free parenting workshop
Emily New - massage
Wholesome Home - Natural product gift basket
Inspire Life Chiropractic - Discounted first exam and book
Nutrition in Bloom - free classes and free private nutrition counseling session
Freemie - Equality pump with deluxe cup
Glamourmom - nursing tanks
Fairhaven - Milk saver and milk tray
Momzelle - $50 gift card
Bamboobies - breastpads and nursing shawl
Ardo - hand pump
Dairy Fairy - bras
Jay Elle - breast pump bag
Mama Magic Birth - free elimination communication class
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!
Call for Your Breastfeeding Stories!
This year’s theme for World Breastfeeding Week is Sustaining Breastfeeding Together, which really brings forth the collaborative nature of breastfeeding. When I think about the components that shape a mother’s breastfeeding experience, the first thing that come to mind is support. Who is part of her ‘Dream Team of Breastfeeding Support’? Her partner? Her family and friends? Her doctors and midwives? Her lactation consultant? Her local and online community? All of these connections shape how we view ourselves as a breastfeeding mother and how successful we feels about ourselves and our experience. Since not all of us are fortunate to have a huge system of in-person breastfeeding support, online support can be critical.
This year’s theme for World Breastfeeding Week is Sustaining Breastfeeding Together, which really brings forth the collaborative nature of breastfeeding. When I think about the components that shape a mother’s breastfeeding experience, the first thing that come to mind is support. Who is part of her ‘Dream Team of Breastfeeding Support’? Her partner? Her family and friends? Her doctors and midwives? Her lactation consultant? Her local and online community? All of these connections shape how we view ourselves as a breastfeeding mother and how successful we feels about ourselves and our experience. Since not all of us are fortunate to have a huge system of in-person breastfeeding support, online support can be critical.
Over the years we have collected breastfeeding memoirs from our readers. Our goal is to share the many different ways that mothers breastfeed, each story highlighting different challenges that may arise and how mothers are resilient and determined to find success, whatever that may look like to them.
This August, in honor of the 2017 World Breastfeeding Week’s theme, we are sending out a call for YOUR breastfeeding memoir. Would you like to share your story so that another mother may find support from and connection to your experience? Did you overcome a challenge? Did the support of another person help shape your breastfeeding experience?
Details:
- We will be collecting breastfeeding memoirs from August 1 - September 15, 2017.
- Each memoir should be between 150-250 words and include a photo
- Each memoir must be original content
- All selected memoirs will be posted on the SDBFC website’s blog and be considered for inclusion in an upcoming breastfeeding book!
Possible topics, but not limited to:
Increasing milk supply
- Going back to work
- Overcoming breastfeeding challenges
- Breastfeeding after a NICU stay
- Breastfeeding after breast surgery
- Tongue tie
- Breastfeeding twins
- Positive nursing in public experience
- Full term breastfeeding
- Tandem nursing
Feel free to post any questions in the comments.
Please email your original breastfeeding memoir and photo(s) to Robin Kaplan (robinkaplan@sdbfc.com)