Your One Stop Shop for Breastfeeding Support

 

Like any other expecting mom, my mother had to decide how she was going to feed me once I was born.  She told me that it was an extremely difficult decision to make because she worked full-time and didn’t know how she was going to balance everything. However, her provider explained that breastfeeding was not only a bonding experience but also the perfect balance of nutrients that her body would make specifically for me, her baby.

Nature's Way Baby Cafe (R)

With the support of my father, she made the decision to start exclusively breastfeeding.  A couple months
into our breastfeeding journey, I proved to be a very fussy baby.  My mother recalled how frustrating it sometimes was to have to reposition every time I was feeding or how expressing milk was difficult without a pump.  Through all the hurdles she faced, she continued to breastfeed until I was 18 months old.  And let me tell you, she would do it all again if she could.

If you are a breastfeeding mother, odds are you have found yourself in similar situations to what my mother had to face.  With access to the internet and an increasing number of community resources it is easier to search for information. But, sometimes you still cannot find what you are looking for and don’t know where to ask for help. That is where the Clinton County Breastfeeding Coalition comes in!

The Clinton County Breastfeeding Coalition is comprised of community organizations and local moms and meets once a month to promote and advocate for breastfeeding in our area. The coalition created and maintains the Clinton County Breastfeeding Referral Guide which is your one stop shop for evidenced based breastfeeding related help. They are also spearheading a social media campaign aimed to normalize breastfeeding while highlighting the ‘realness’ because, let’s be honest, it isn’t always rainbows and butterflies. You can expect to see one post per month on CCHD’s social media platforms from June through November 2021. You will be able to interact by posting pictures of you and your nursling(s) with #ThisIsHowWeNurse.

Example of the Clinton County Breastfeeding Coalition's Social Media Campaign 

Chances are, at some point each of us will know a mom who wants to breastfeed. Just like my mom’s doctor and my father did, I am challenging each of you to support and encourage that mom to reach her goals. Sharing this campaign on your social media is one small way you can contribute to a cultural shift in which we all view breastfeeding as normal, accepted and welcomed.

 

Alexandra Mesick

Public Health Educator

Division of Health Planning and Promotion 

You Don’t Have to Breastfeed to Support Breastfeeding



2017 marks the 25^th year that the World Alliance for Breastfeeding Action (WABA) is celebrating World Breastfeeding Week. This year’s theme is ‘Sustaining Breastfeeding Together’, reminding us that we all have a role to play in creating a community supportive of breastfeeding families.  We all win when we protect and promote breastfeeding.  Breastmilk provides a host of health benefits for both children and their mothers, protects our environment, creates food security, and saves the United States upwards of $13 billion.

In celebration of World Breastfeeding Week, partners of the Clinton County Breastfeeding Coalition will be hosting family friendly events and we encourage you to show your support.

• Tuesday, August 1^st – Tune into WIRY 1340 AM or 100.7 FM at 11:00am to hear what is happening around breastfeeding in our community.
• Friday, August 4^th – Stop by the Breastfeeding Block Party at the US Oval in Plattsburgh between 5:00pm-7:00pm. The whole family is invited to attend. There will be outdoor play, snacks and giveaways. In the event of rain the Block Party will be moved inside at Family Connections on the Oval. This event is hosted by the Child Care Coordinating Council of the North Country and WIC. For more information call 518-561-4999.

• Saturday, August 5^th – Be a part of the 2017 Big Latch On. Registration begins at 9:00am on Champlain Valley Physician’s Hospital (CVPH) front lawn with the ‘latch’ taking place at 10:30am, sharp! There will be light refreshments, information, prizes, a Baby & Me Demo and a free 5x7 family photo! This event is hosted by the University of Vermont Health Network CVPH. For more information: http://bit.ly/2us0NkQ 

You don’t have to breastfeed to be an advocate for breastfeeding, let’s support mothers to breastfeed anytime, anywhere.



The 2017 World Breastfeeding Week theme is 'Sustaining Breastfeeding Together'.