We're Kicking Off WBW in a BIG WAY

by Glenni Lorick, IBCLC
World Breastfeeding Week begins August 1! This annual celebration sponsored by the World Alliance for Breastfeeding Action (WABA) focuses on carrying forward the advances that have been made in breastfeeding support and promotion over the last 15 years. In 1990 the United Nations together with member nations set forth 8 Millenium Development Goals. Goal 4, To Reduce Child Mortality, is tied in very closely with promoting and supporting breastfeeding. We are excited to celebrate this year's World Breastfeeding Week - Breastfeeding: A Winning Goal for Life.

We have several really exciting events planned locally for this week. I hope you will be able to be part of each one!

The Big Latch On

This year's event has been organized by Brittany Campbell who has marshalled an incredible group of volunteers to make this the biggest breastfeeding event Huntsville has ever seen! Join nearly 100 nursing (and pumping) mothers on Saturday, August 2, at 9:30 at Kid's Space to be part of the excitement. The first 25 moms to register will receive swag bags chock-full of fun goodies! At 10:30 sharp we will count every baby who is latched on and nursing. Moms who are exclusively pumping or expressing milk will also be included in the count. There are some terrific door prizes, too! A Nurturing Moment has donated a lactation consultation, a set of Babee Greens wool nursing pads, and a box of Milkscreen test strips (just in case you want to enjoy more than one celebratory drink...). Lots of other local vendors as well as several national vendors have donated amazing door prizes as well!

A Nurturing Moment won't open until 11:00 am on Saturday because we will be at the Big Latch On!!

Give a High 5

Throughout the summer we have been celebrating the babies who are part of the ANM family! This Saturday, August 2, from 11-3 you will have the opportunity to put your child's handprint on a canvas that will be displayed on our wall for years to come! We love our mamas and babies...and we love seeing those babies grow into toddlers, pre-schoolers and older children. It is such a privilege for us to be part of your family's life, so this project is especially dear to my heart!

Breastmilk, The Movie

This movie follows real people through their breastfeeding journeys, showing what breastfeeding is really like. It shows success and it shows failure...and it shows the middle ground, too. Chatty Claire  is bringing this movie to Huntsville on Saturday, August 2, at 7:00 pm at the Chan Auditorium at UAH. Tickets are just $10, and you can get your ticket online in advance. Following the movie there will be a panel discussion that you won't want to miss. There will also be some terrific door prizes! A Nurturing Moment has donated a lactation consultation, a nursing scarf, and a custom bib that says "Silly Daddy, Boobs are for Babies." 

You actually have the opportunity to WIN a pair of tickets TODAY ONLY! Happy Papoose is giving away a two pack of tickets here.

Mommy Milk Meet-up

Join other breastfeeding moms Monday, August 4, at 10:00 am at A Nurturing Moment as we have the monthly meeting of our breastfeeding support group, Mommy Milk Meet-up. We will be talking about breastfeeding promotion and support. We'll also be asking moms to share about their breastfeeding goals and how breastfeeding has impacted their lives. In celebration of World Breastfeeding Week, we will have healthy snacks and maybe even some lactation cookies! This is a wonderful opportunity to be around other nursing mothers, to enjoy some fun fellowship and to get lots of encouragement. Of course, if you need professional breastfeeding help, I will be there, too.

I look forward to seeing each of you a lot over the next few days. This is going to be ONE AMAZING WEEK!!