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| Little one made me a Lego trophy for "producing world's best milk." |
The season of Thanksgiving is upon us. I am especially in the mood of gratitude these days because my youngest child turned three years old in late October and weaned himself in early November. With that being said, I have completed my breastfeeding mission—a mission that I once considered impossible!
I credit my success to the support from family, friends, and community organizations. Between my two children I have breastfed for more than five years, but I once decided to and almost did stop breastfeeding for non-supportive, hostile workplace policies. Luckily, my local breastfeeding coalition—I lived in Los Angeles at that time—put me in touch with a pro bono legal organization that settled my breastfeeding discrimination claim against my previous employer. That’s the major reason I could continue to breastfeed.
And I am not alone. While women may not breastfeed to or stop breastfeeding early for a variety of reasons, one thing is for sure—most of them know that breastfeeding is beneficial and a little support can change everything!
This is why I choose to write for the San Diego County Breastfeeding Coalition as a volunteer blogger. After my case was settled, I separated from my employer in Los Angeles and moved down to San Diego. I immediately contacted the coalition and offered to write for them, because I want to give back to the local organizations that support breastfeeding moms!
People contribute to the community in different ways—I am a seasoned health reporter and I write. You don’t have to do what I do, but I invite you to join me today and invest in breastfeeding by supporting your local breastfeeding coalition.
Breastfeeding is not just about babies. It benefits everybody, including strengthening the economy—The findings from WHO and partners estimate that global economic losses from lower cognition associated with not breastfeeding reached more than US$ 300 billion in 2012, equivalent to 0.49% of the world’s gross national income.
My local breastfeeding coalition--San Diego County Breastfeeding Coalition--has been addressing breastfeeding barriers by producing and distributing breastfeeding resource guide and breastfeeding rights cards, providing personal protective equipment for child care providers during the COVID-19 crisis, and maintains a breastfeeding warm-line (response within 24 hours). I'm sure your local breastfeeding coalition is doing the same thing and your contribution will help them continue this very important work.
Together, we can shape a future that breastfeeding support is accessible for all families in our community. Be part of that future by finding your local breastfeeding coalition here>>>US Breastfeeding Commission Coalitions Directory
**An original version of this post was published on San Diego County Breastfeeding Coalition's Newsletter on November 16, 2020. This is an updated version. Photo credit to Mu-huan Chiang.
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