Happy World Breastfeeding Month
In honor of World Breastfeeding Month, I’ve been reflecting on my breastfeeding journey with Eleanor.
In February of last year, I joined my first La Leche League meeting in Alameda and became a LLL member shortly following. At my first meeting, I was very pregnant, surrounded by mamas holding babies in their arms, and overwhelmed with an immediate sense of belonging. I’d like to think of it as a connection to something much bigger than I was, like a lineage of birth warriors and lactating champions, as I had been frustrated first by how much effort it took to get pregnant and then by the pain of pregnancy. It's hard to explain, but I could tell right away that, for me, breastfeeding was an opportunity to bring me closer not only to Eleanor, but also to my lactating friends, and the many who defended my rights to care for my daughter in such a way.
As the next monthly meeting approached, I was eager to return with my babe and husband to share with them the calming environment that had already taught me so much in just the couple hours I spent there. I attended monthly LLL Alameda meetings for just over a year, then every week with LLL San Francisco online starting in April, and as of this month, I am now a LLL Leader and preparing to move LLL Alameda online as well!
La Leche League of Alameda is planning to meet over Zoom just in time for the year’s final set of series meetings. With this new beginning, I’m hopeful that the online space we’re creating will allow our local parents to share their stories and empower one another, just as we were able in the meetings prior.
This stage of life is difficult, beautiful, and fleeting.
Together, we can Live, Love, Latch!®
📖: Mothering Your Nursing Toddler by Norma Jane Bumgarner
📺: Chocolate Milk®: The Documentary, a film by Elizabeth Bayne
🧒: Who in the World Likes to Nurse? by Cristie Henry
