Photo contest open to San Joaquin County Moms

It's time to enter our county's 2nd Annual Breastfeeding Photography Contest!   Win great prizes, plus promote the wonderful benefits of breastfeeding in our community! 

The mom in the winning photo will recieve:

• $100 from the Breastfeeding Coalition of San Joaquin County
• Custom-framed enlargement of winning photo from The Galeria
• Free photo session with 16" x 20" print from Elaine Begley Photography

Moms who live in San Joaquin County can submit either their own photos or those taken by a professional photographer. Deadline to enter is June 30th.  Visit www.bfcsj.org/photocontest.html for complete contest rules and entry form.

*Special Offer* Elaine Begley Photography is offering a free mini photo session for moms who want to enter the contest. One day only: Wednesday, June 29th. Space is limited. Call Elaine at: 209-403-0932 to schedule today!

The Breastfeeding Coalition of San Joaquin County
http://www.bfcsj.org/

Speaking up for Breastfeeding Support

Recently, I had the opportunity to exercise my lactivist "title" by giving public testimony at a Sacramento County Board of Supervisors meeting.  As part of my clinical internship, I attended the meeting with my mentor lactation consultant on April 4, 2011.  With very short notice, I scratched out a 2 minute speech (the normal allotted time of 3 minutes was cut to 2 because there were so many people who wanted to speak.)

I was one of numerous individuals (the most of any agenda item) who got up to give testimony in support of Sacramento County WIC's breastfeeding support programs funded by First 5.  We were all there to urge the Board to re-prioritize the breastfeeding programs as "high priority" and reconsider the proposed 50% cuts to the much needed and utilized programs serving the county's most at-risk children.

Energized and a bit nervous, I walked up to the podium and shared my observations and opinion.  It was a daunting moment, standing in front of the microphone speaking to the Board with a room full of people listening.  It had been over 10 years, while as a student at UC San Diego, since I had spoken publicly in support of a cause I cared deeply about.  In college, I was the Executive Director of the student volunteer center and sole speaker asking the associated student government to re-consider proposed cuts.  This time I was a mom and intern urging funds for breastfeeding support to be continued.  My testimony at UCSD worked and we received the funding.  I can only hope this time around my decision to speak up for breastfeeding along with the voice of many others may have a positive impact as well.

You can watch all the testimony (including Laurie True from CWA at 2:35:30 and mine at 2:38:05) here:  http://www.first5sacramento.net/First5SacramentoCommissionMeetings/default.htm  and click on "View Video" for FIRST 5 - 4/4/2011

Lastly, I urge you as a member of our great democracy to use your voice to speak up for the causes you care about.  Breastfeeding is truly a public health issue which affects us all.  And as a community of lactivists, with our voices joined together we can help to ensure better health for all moms and babies.

What can YOU Do?  
Keep up with the latest breastfeeding-related legislation and happenings in your community:

1) Become a member of your local Breastfeeding Coalition.  Find yours here: http://www.californiabreastfeeding.org/members.html

2) Sign up for the California WIC Association FLASH e-newsletter here: http://www.calwic.org/

3) Sign up for the U.S. Breastfeeding Committee Action Alerts here:  http://org2.democracyinaction.org/o/5162/signUp.jsp?key=394

If you have other "lactivist" suggestions, please share with a comment on my blog.  And...

Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it's the only thing that ever has.
-Margaret Mead

The Beginning

Becoming a mother for the first time was a transformative experience.  Carrying a life for 40 weeks and then giving birth was the most gratifying and amazing moment of my life.  I was a mom!?  Unbelievable.  Surreal. 

And not only did my body give this little boy life, it could also sustain his life with my own milk.  Absolutely amazing.  Our breastfeeding experience was not without challenges, however our family traveled a pretty smooth road thanks to the supportive and resource-rich environment of Santa Monica, California where my son was born. 

We were fortunate to start our journey with our doula, Heike, who was present at his birth and helped make sure we got our first chance to breastfeed in the delivery room shortly after he entered the world.  Plus, her gentle wisdom and guidance during those crucial first few days and weeks at home gave me the confidence that I could do this.  In addition, the breastfeeding support groups I attended connected me with other moms and showed me that I wasn't the only one who was wondering: "Am I doing this right?"

Before having my son, I had never really been around women that breastfed and didn't know much more than what I had learned in my childbirth classes and a few suggested books on the subject.  Yet, I knew my own milk was the best for my baby and I was determined he would only get breastmilk.  As our breastfeeding relationship developed, the more in awe I was of this amazing gift only I could give my son.  For me, breastfeeding helped  me create a beautiful bond with my son that I can already tell will last his lifetime.

This is the nurturing, loving, bond I want to help other moms experience with their children.