Grateful. Honored. Humbled. These are just a few of the words that come to mind when I think about the support system we have in San Diego for breastfeeding families. When we started the San Diego Breastfeeding Center Foundation in 2016, we had no idea how we would fund our nonprofit. We just knew that we had to start minimizing barriers that prevented low-income families from accessing critical breastfeeding support. We hit up our friends and family, who graciously donated enough money to get us started. Going forward, colleagues (many in the birth and postpartum community), patients, passionate breastfeeding families, and local businesses have joined to support our cause. To date, we have offered 141 reduced-rate breastfeeding consultations and there is no way that we could have ever gotten this far without our community’s support.
Which takes me to our sponsors of this year’s Big Latch On event. This event is our biggest fundraiser of the year and these sponsors have helped us already raise $2500, which is halfway to our event goal! So, it is my extreme pleasure to introduce you to this year’s Big Latch On sponsors.
Co-Sponsor: Kid Ventures
‘Kid Ventures is leading the way in children’s enrichment and “edutainment” which is evident from the moment you step foot inside our warm and inviting Kid Ventures facilities. From the friendly and caring greeting provided by our team to the highly engaging, entertaining and educational activities & STEAM classes facilitated by our very own “Edutainment Coordinator”, your visit will be an enriching and memorable experience. With so much to discover, our focus is help children develop a life-long love of learning and creative exploration through fulfilling many social, physical and emotional needs.
We are so excited to be co-hosting the Big Latch on this year because we are a home away from home for so many new moms and families providing a safe and comfortable environment to nurture and grow. We're also lucky to be located at one of San Diego's most vibrant and family-friendly neighborhoods--Liberty Station--which makes it the perfect location for the Big Latch On.'
Diamond Sponsor: Future Generations
‘Future Generations is one of the top clinical chiropractic practices in the country. Our focus is three main areas of life: preconception, pregnancy and pediatric chiropractic care. Our patients come to us because of our level of commitment and accountability to their health improvements. This is possible because we focus on Corrective care (fixing the problems) so that their ultimate goal is wellness care (ensuring their health). We envision an empowered community who have full confidence in their ability to self-heal. We see our role in the community to grow as our patients continue to be a beacon for what’s possible with health and healing.
We're so ecstatic to be a part of The Big Latch on again because we know the San Diego Breastfeeding Center Foundation is changing the world by empowering and educating women, and by helping normalize breastfeeding.’
Diamond Sponsor: Little Star Pediatric Dentistry
‘We are a pediatric dental office that takes an innovative, comprehensive and compassionate to providing care to children of all ages and abilities. As a pediatric dentist, I have the opportunity to use my skills, to make each child feel secure and comfortable in their dental home. My practice philosophy is to provide the same care that I would want my own child to receive. I believe patient and parent education to be of utmost importance.’ - Dr. Najmeh Hannanvash
Platinum Sponsor: Nature’s Whisper Yoga
‘Nature's Whisper is the guiding force for new families in San Diego. We offer classes and workshops to balance the mind, body and soul in your pregnancy, birth and postpartum journey. From yoga, mom and babe classes, breastfeeding, postpartum support to core classes, we have it all. We invite you into the Nature's Whisper Hive. At Nature's Whisper we understand the journey breastfeeding can take you on. We support you from day one and love every opportunity we are given to educate and provide a welcome space for you to find your way on this journey. Having the opportunity to meet with you in person outside of the big tech world is the biggest reason we are so excited to be out here with you at The Big Latch On!’
Platinum Sponsor: Gymboree
‘Gymboree Play & Music has been fostering creativity and confidence in children ages 0-5 for over 40 years. Today there are over 700 locations in 40+ countries, making us the global leader in early childhood development programs. Designed by experts in both education and in play, our age-appropriate activities help develop the cognitive, physical and social skills of children as they play. Our programs are also recognized for their unique approach to parent involvement—which encourages participation in and understanding of each child’s development.
Our class curriculum is developed by our experienced child development program directors and incorporate a balanced whole-child approach with activities to support what your child is mastering right now and what he or she will aspire to later. Classes are designed in 6-month increments to continue to meet a child’s growing interests and abilities. From birth to age 5, there’s always something special awaiting you and your child at Gymboree Play & Music.’
Gold Sponsor: Sakura Bloom
CRAFTED IN CALIFORNIA
Small batch, ethical production.
The softest hand-dyed linens, hand-loomed silks, coziest bamboos, and locally tanned leathers.
Newborns. Toddlers.
On your front. On your back.
Three carrier styles, covering every stage. 7-45lb.
Gold Sponsor: Dairy Fairy
'Mommy-ing is hard. So many tasks to juggle but nourishing your little one should not feel like a chore. Providing breastmilk (from the bottle or the breast) is easier and more attractive in our magical bras. All-in-one Nursing and Handsfree Pumping bras, in an assortment of styles that are beautiful, comfortable, and functional. So your bra can multi-task as much as you do.'
Gold Sponsor: Center for Better Beginnings at UC San Diego
'The Center for Better Beginnings at UC San Diego is dedicated to improving maternal health and child development, with a focus on better understanding, preventing, and treating birth defects. Only in partnership with moms, dads, health care providers, and community leaders can we improve the health of our future generations. Our Center acts as a central hub to bring these key players together. Our focus is on a woman’s health before she becomes pregnant, during pregnancy and childbirth, and during lactation to explore how maternal and other environmental exposures impact a baby’s development.
The Center for Better Beginnings at UC San Diego is excited to be a part of this year’s Big Latch On event at Liberty Station! We are looking forward meeting all the amazing breastfeeding moms who will take part in attempting to break a world record! Stop by our Center’s booth to learn about our no-cost services aimed at supporting moms in their journey toward healthy, happy babies!'
Silver Sponsor: Best Start Birth Center
'Best Start provides a space where the beauty of natural birth can be experienced. Natural (physiologic) birth with a midwife provides good outcomes with a low rate of cesarean section, high rate of successful breastfeeding, low rate of interventions and satisfied, informed, and empowered moms and families. A beautiful memory for mom and her dear ones. Best Start Birth Center has been a model of good outcomes for decades and expects to provide this option to San Diego into the future. Good short and long term outcomes reduce the costs of childbirth thus giving a direct financial benefit to the community as well as enhancing family life.'
Silver Sponsor: Becoming Peaceful
'Becoming Peaceful is so honored to be a continuing sponsor for San Diego Breastfeeding Center’s The Big Latch On 2018. Lisa Howe, MSW, of Becoming Peaceful provides peaceful parenting workshops and one-on-one private parenting coaching to help parents become their best selves. Parenting, just like breastfeeding, can be so hard and so isolating. Reaching out for support helps each of us learn from one another and grow into the parents we want to be. Lisa received support and services from the San Diego Breastfeeding Center when her daughter was born and is grateful for the opportunity to assist other women in receiving that much needed support.'