FIRST LOOK AT THE NEW SDBFCF CLINIC IN SOUTHEAST SAN DIEGO!

Last week we celebrated a MAJOR MILESTONE as part of our Foundation’s Three Year Strategic Growth Plan! In an effort to INCREASE ACCESS to equitable and affordable lactation support in San Diego’s “first food deserts,” it has been our mission to expand our services to Southeast San Diego. On Tuesday December 13th, we did just that!! We welcomed friends, colleagues and community members into our newest Foundation clinic space in Southeast San Diego during a lovely open house! Located inside Access Youth Academy and led by the incredible Chardá Bell, IBCLC, CBE, CD, this clinic will offer a FREE weekly chest/breastfeeding support group that starts on Jan. 3rd, 2023 and, starting in February 2023, FREE or low-cost private lactation consultations!

Here are some thoughts from Chardá:

“Last year I wrote about how Black families, particularly in Southeast San Diego, often do not have access to breastfeeding support when they are struggling with challenges. Well thanks to some major work in the community, things have changed. In a collaborative effort, the San Diego Breastfeeding Center Foundation and Global Communities have now created a weekly breastfeeding support group to fill this gap and reduce disparities through increased ease of access. But that’s not the best part, keep reading!

“Healthy Start contracts with the San Diego Breastfeeding Center Foundation to provide amazing FREE lactation consults to its participants and that individualized help is critical. Yet another thing that is just as important is being able to see someone else who looks like you doing the same thing, going through similar situations, so you don’t feel so alone and have the strength to continue. These parents didn’t have a place to go after/between consults where they felt comfortable to share with other peers the struggles and joys of breastfeeding while Black. These struggles are unique barriers experienced most frequently among Black women and are reported to include but not limited to: lack of social, work, and cultural acceptance, language and literacy barriers for our Black diverse populations, and overall lack of access to information that promotes and supports breastfeeding, acculturation, and lifestyle choices. 

Not to mention the disincentive to breastfeed due to the disproportionate rate of infant formula distribution to Black mothers in the hospitals. 

“My goal has always been to get a support group in my hometown of Southeast San Diego, a mid-size area of the county, that is predominantly African American, low income to upper middle class, with some military families. I’m proud to be assisting in the opening of the first breastfeeding support clinic in Southeast San Diego; through steady exposure, easy access to support, and most importantly free support available to those who need it most. These resources will empower Black families and make chest/breastfeeding a traditional norm again. By improving chest/breastfeeding rates within the Black community, we will be achieving better overall health and well-being while reducing racial inequities for our entire community.”

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THIS IS THE WORK we are so excited to be a part of, and it truly wouldn’t be possible without the consistent grassroots support we receive every year from YOU, our community members! If you’re as excited about this clinic as we are - NOW IS THE TIME to help us! Let’s ride this momentum all the way to our $15,000 end of year goal!

Racial Disparities in Healthcare and Breastfeeding Support

We’d like you to meet Chardá Fontenot. She is a Perinatal Navigator with Project Concern International Healthy Start, a Doula, a Certified Lactation Educator & Counselor (CLEC), and one of our board members. She is someone who is truly committed and already making enormous strides to improve health and breastfeeding outcomes for our local African-American and black families. We feel honored to know her and to work with her!

I‘m so excited to be a part of the SDBFC Foundation Board! A personal and professional goal of mine is to increase the breastfeeding rates for all families, but particularly black breastfeeding families due to the low initiation and duration rates. 

The most recent statistics from the CDC show that White and Hispanic families have an 82% breastfeeding initiation rate, with 27-31% breastfeeding at 1 year.  Black families have a 64% breastfeeding initiation rate, with 17% breastfeeding at 1 year.

In order to eliminate that disparity there needs to be a sense of urgency and a group of individuals that are dedicated to helping these families. The SDBFC foundation has the capacity, skill and drive to help break down the barriers that prevent black families from breastfeeding successfully. 

I believe anyone that wants to breast/chest feed, should be able to do so and with proper support. Having access to a lactation professional that is knowledgeable, inclusive and affordable is key. SDBFC Foundation fits that role and fills a gap that needs some focus. 

In my job, I work with many families both prenatally and postpartum. I see the struggles first hand and the first thing I do is offer support as a CLEC, but if it’s something that needs to be addressed by an IBCLC, some families simply can not afford the help they deserve so they quit. The SDBFC foundation is here to prevent families from quitting due to lack of support and assistance. This is why I’m so excited to be a part of the foundation. I want all of those who want breastfeeding help to be able to obtain it. 

For us to continue doing this amazing work, we need your support in order to support those who need it most. Your donation of any amount helps towards our mission and will keep breastfeeding babies and families happy, healthy and thriving!

Chardá Fontenot, SDBFC Foundation Board Member

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Ready to help us reduce racial disparities in breastfeeding?

All is takes is your donation. $5, $50, $500.... it all makes a difference!

Can you help us reach our $10,000 goal?

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For more information about the racial disparities in healthcare and breastfeeding support, particularly for African-American and black families in the United States, please see Chardá’s interview with Robin, by clicking here!

Only a few more days to reach our fundraising goal - Will You Help?

Thank you for helping us raise $1900 during our fundraising campaign!

This month we had an enormous goal… to raise $10,000.  While we didn’t meet our ultimate goal, we are so pleased with how much we raised, as this gives us a launching off point for the beginning of the year!

Our Goals for 2018:

• We hope to double the number of breastfeeding consultations for low income families from 52 to 100.

• We hope to continue to collaborate with Project Concern International on trainings for their home health patient navigators, as well as provide home visits for their families in City Heights.

• We hope to collaborate with additional local nonprofits who serve pregnant and newly postpartum women to provide breastfeeding education and support.

 

How you can help us reach these goals:

• Make a last minute donation so that you get the 2017 tax write off!

• Consider making a monthly recurring donation - A recurring donation of $7 per month will cover one consultation in 2018.... that's the minimal cost of 2 Starbucks coffees per month! 

This will be the last email you will receive from us until 2018.  Starting in January, we plan to send quarterly emails, just to keep you updated on all of our accomplishments.  We hope you will continue to follow along with us on this incredible journey.

Thank you for your support and your donations!  You are truly the heart and soul of our Foundation!

SDBFC’s help and support are the reason I am still able to breastfeed today. Without their assistance, I would have given up. I was hit with hurdle after hurdle with breastfeeding, and they've been by my side since my daughter was 2 days old. They've spent hours helping me whether it be home visits, office visits, emails, texts, phone calls, or the support group they run- they were always there and willing to help. I am beyond grateful for their knowledge and endless support.

- Amanda

Help Us Make A Difference on Giving Tuesday!

Happy #GivingTuesday!

Breastfeeding is not always easy!  Having personally experienced breastfeeding challenges with both of my kids, I know firsthand how critical breastfeeding support is for a mom in those first few weeks after her baby is born.  Critical, both physically and emotionally.

Join me in helping local low-income women gain access to critical breastfeeding support on this #GivingTuesday.

 

Wondering how to do this?

We are asking you to help us #SupportSDMoms by donating your weekly coffee money!  It’s that simple!  If everyone on this email list donated $10-$20 today, the amount they would spend at a coffee shop this week, we would be able to raise over $40,000 on #GivingTuesday.  

 

Can you help us reach this goal?

All you have to do is click on this Paypal link to donate this week’s coffee allowance and help bring affordable breastfeeding support to hundreds of local low-income moms.

After a fairly smooth pregnancy and birth, breastfeeding presented me with the greatest challenges in my journey to motherhood. Tula had a tongue tie that caused her latch to be shallow and excruciatingly painful for me. After the revision, she had trouble re-learning how to latch with the new mobility and ended up losing nearly a whole pound one week postpartum. That's when robin and the team at the San Diego Breastfeeding Center swooped in to the rescue.

Realizing our baby had been starving, we were wrought with concern and exhaustion. Robin was kind, supportive, and professional. She came to our home and was affordable, which was such a relief! She created a plan with us and she reassured us that we could reach our goals and get our baby healthy.

Five months later and we are going strong halfway towards our goal! Robin remains an essential source of support and guidance. Having access to these invaluable services, at the incredibly reasonable price point of $25, made all the difference.

- Lauren

DID YOU KNOW….

• While 93% of moms start breastfeeding exclusively at birth in San Diego, only 56% continue doing so at 3 months, largely due to a lack of access to ongoing lactation support.

• Lack of financial resources is reported as one of the main barriers for women to receive qualified breastfeeding support to help feed their babies.

Please join us today, on Giving Tuesday, to help more local families like Lauren's gain access to critical breastfeeding support!

To donate to the San Diego Breastfeeding Center Foundation, please send checks to:

San Diego Breastfeeding Center Foundation (3355 4th Ave., San Diego, CA 92103)

Read this before you shop on Amazon for the holidays!

Did you know that you can donate to the San Diego Breastfeeding Center Foundation with every purchase you make through Amazon?

You can help low-income women gain access to critical breastfeeding support just by purchasing Amazon items online, just by shopping through smile.amazon.com instead of amazon.com!

We are asking you to take 60 seconds of your time today to designate the San Diego Breastfeeding Center Foundation as your charitable recipient for Amazon Smile.  All you have to do is go to their website (smile.amazon.com) and choose the San Diego Breastfeeding Center Foundation as your Amazon Smile recipient.  Or you can click on our direct charity link (https://smile.amazon.com/ch/81-1935497) Then as you make your holiday purchases through the Amazon Smile website (as well as your staples of diapers, nipple cream, baby toys, book, etc), the SDBFC Foundation will receive 0.5% of every purchase, at no extra cost to you.  This money will go directly to paying for lactation consultations for families in need.

My baby boy was not able to nurse so I chose to exclusively pump for him.  I was struggling with it and Robin came highly recommended to me. Our consultation was great! She really listened to my concerns and was so kind and gentle. She has supported us on our pumping journey and baby has only had breastmilk for 7 months now! Giving my baby the best nutrition was my #1 goal as a new mom and with the help of San Diego Breastfeeding Center it was possible!!! The reduced-rate consultation program they have in place made it very affordable for us. If it wasn't for this program, I'm sure we would not have made it this far. I'm so grateful to be nourishing my child and helping him be incredibly healthy!

- Janis

Amazon Smile Details:

AmazonSmile is a simple and automatic way for you to support your favorite charitable organization every time you shop, at no cost to you. When you shop at smile.amazon.com, you’ll find the exact same low prices, vast selection and convenient shopping experience as Amazon.com, with the added bonus that Amazon will donate a portion of the purchase price to your favorite charitable organization.

To donate to the San Diego Breastfeeding Center Foundation directly, you can send a check to:

San Diego Breastfeeding Center Foundation

3355 4th Ave., San Diego, CA 92103

Or donate through paypal.

Awesome Opportunity Drawing at the San Diego Big Latch On Event!

So you thought you were just coming to the Big Latch On event to hang out with friends and latch on your kiddo, right?  Well, wait until you see all of the fantastic breastfeeding and pumping swag you have the opportunity to win at our drawing on Saturday!  

We feel incredibly fortunate to have the support of so many local businesses and national breastfeeding-friendly companies.  These businesses have graciously donated goods and services to help raise money for the San Diego Breastfeeding Center Foundation, our non-profit organization which offers reduced-fee private breastfeeding consultations for local low-income families.  Last year we raised about $2500 for our foundation at the Big Latch On event and we are hoping to DOUBLE that this year!  

Leading up to the actual Latch On, you will have a chance to purchase opportunity drawing tickets.  You will receive one free ticket with registration and the rest can be purchased for:

$1 - 1 ticket

$5 - 6 tickets

$10 - 12 tickets

$20 - 25 tickets

ALL proceeds will be donated to the San Diego Breastfeeding Center Foundation

At 10:45am, we will begin to announce the winners of each prize.  You must be present to win the prize.  For a full rundown of the entire Big Latch On event, please check out our Facebook event page

Ready to see what you have the chance to win????

Dr. Stanton Hom - New patient chiropractic package

Dr. Karin Nealon - $200 craniosacral package

Rumina - several Pump&Nurse bras and tanks

Tula - Free-to-Grow carrier and blankets

Nature’s Whisper - 3 yoga class package

Deanna Honda - free massage

Morgan Gates - one-on-one makeup lesson

Ashlee Hayden - free photography package

Hands for Life Ocean Beach - Mama and Me chiropractic package

Good Vibrations - Free first chiropractic visit

Micah Arsham - Free Acupuncture visit

Whole Family Wellness - Free Acupuncture visit

Nursing Noah - teething necklace

Becoming Peaceful - Free parent coaching session and free parenting workshop

Emily New - massage

Wholesome Home - Natural product gift basket

Inspire Life Chiropractic - Discounted first exam and book

Nutrition in Bloom - free classes and free private nutrition counseling session

Freemie - Equality pump with deluxe cup

Glamourmom - nursing tanks

Fairhaven - Milk saver and milk tray

Momzelle - $50 gift card

Bamboobies - breastpads and nursing shawl

Ardo - hand pump

Dairy Fairy - bras

Jay Elle  - breast pump bag

Mama Magic Birth - free elimination communication class

If you are unable to attend the Big Latch On this year, but would still like to donate to the SDBFC Foundation, you may do so through our website at anytime.  You can also choose us as your charitable recipient through Amazon smile.  Just one click and .5% of every Amazon purchase you make will be donated to our Foundation!

Global Big Latch On Event 2017

We are so excited to announce that the San Diego Breastfeeding Center and Wonderful and Wild are co-hosting a 2017 Big Latch On event!  For those who are unfamiliar with the Big Latch On, this is an event that started in New Zealand in 2005 during World Breastfeeding Week.  The mission of the Big Latch On is to protect, promote, and support breastfeeding women and each year groups of breastfeeding women come together at locations all around the world to latch on their children at a designated time and day in honor of this mission and to attempt to set a new record!  This year, our Big Latch On event will also serve as a major fundraiser for our non-profit organization, the San Diego Breastfeeding Center Foundation.

So, here are the details:

When is the Big Latch On?

The Big Latch On event will take place on Saturday, August 5, 2017 from 8:30am-11am.  The actual Big Latch On will take place at exactly 10:30am, so don’t be late!  

Where will the Big Latch On take place?

At Wonderful and Wild.  The address is: 1007 University Ave. San Diego,CA 92103.

Do I need to RSVP for the Big Latch On Event?

Yes, please!  Since we need 1 non-breastfeeding witness for every 10 breastfeeding mamas, it would be wonderful if you can RSVP before the event.  If you forget, please come anyway.

What is the agenda for the Big Latch On?

8:30am-10:15am - Registration and mingle.  Purchase tickets for our Opportunity Drawing; proceeds to be donated to the San Diego Breastfeeding Center Foundation.  First 100 attendees will get an awesome Goodie Bag!

10:15am-10:25am - Settle in and get ready to latch on

10:30am-10:31am - Big Latch On!

10:40am-11:00am - Opportunity drawing winners announced

11am - Event ends

What takes place at registration?

Each breastfeeding mom needs to register, with her name and email address, so that she can be counted during the event.  Also, each mom will decide whether she gives her permission to be photographed during the event.

What takes place during the Big Latch On?

8:30am-10:15am: Once moms have registered, there will be plenty of time to relax, mingle, and grab some coffee and breakfast at many of the local restaurants in walking distance.  You will also have time to purchase tickets for the opportunity drawing items.  Definitely bring a water bottle so you can stay hydrated.

From 10:30-10:31am, all of the participants will latch on their child(ren).  Each breastfeeding mom will be counted by one of the non-breastfeeding witnesses so that she can be accounted for in setting the Big Latch On record.

From 10:40-11:00am, opportunity drawing winners will be chosen.  Winners must be present to receive the gift.

What are the opportunity drawing details?

We are in the process of collecting items for our opportunity drawing!  Each Big Latch On participant will be given one ticket to enter the opportunity drawing.  Additional tickets can be purchased at the event: $1 for 1 ticket, $5 for 6 tickets, $10 for 12 tickets.  All money raised will be donated to the San Diego Breastfeeding Center Foundation to help pay for reduced-fee breastfeeding consultations for low-income breastfeeding families in San Diego.  If you have an item or service that you would like to donate for the opportunity drawing, please contact Robin Kaplan, at robinkaplan@sdbfc.com.

Sponsorship opportunities!

This year we are offering Sponsorship Opportunities, at a variety of levels, ranging from Goodie Bag donations to official sponsorship of our event.  If you are interested in sharing your service or product with our local families, please contact our event coordinator, Liz Bradshaw at LizBradshaw@sdbfc.com for more sponsorship information.  So far, we are thrilled to have the following businesses as sponsors: La Luna Health, San Diego County Breastfeeding Coalition, A Wholesome Home, Luludew, and Inspire Life Chiropractic.

How will the photographs be used after the event?

We are so thrilled that Ariel Dolfo, of Ariel Dolfo Photography, will be documenting our Big Latch On event for the fourth year in a row!  Photographs will only be taken of mothers who give permission to be photographed.  Group photos will be taken to document the event and sent with our final number of participating breastfeeding mothers, as well as placed on the San Diego Breastfeeding Center website.  

Looking forward to seeing you all there!  

Donate to the SDBFC Foundation just by shopping on Amazon!

Do You Love Shopping on Amazon?

Did you know that you can donate to the San Diego Breastfeeding Center Foundation with every purchase you make through Amazon?

You can help low-income women gain access to critical breastfeeding support just by purchasing Amazon items online.

Wondering how to do this?

We are asking you to take 60 seconds of your time today to designate the San Diego Breastfeeding Center Foundation as your charitable recipient for Amazon Smile.  All you have to do is go to their website (smile.amazon.com) and choose the San Diego Breastfeeding Center Foundation as your Amazon Smile recipient.  Or you can click on our direct charity link (https://smile.amazon.com/ch/81-1935497) Then as you make your diaper, nipple cream, baby toy, book, etc purchases from this site, the SDBFC Foundation will receive 0.5% of every purchase, at no extra cost to you.  This money will go directly to paying for lactation consultations for families in need.

“I came across the San Diego Breastfeeding Center thanks to Robin Kaplan, who taught my breastfeeding class during my pregnancy. I was worried I was not going to be able to breastfeed when I had my baby, and shared with her my questions and concerns. She pointed out to me that, when and if the time came, I should contact the Center for further assistance. 

After delivery, I discovered many challenges to successfully feed my baby: from painful latch to low milk supply, and I almost gave up on breastfeeding several times. The Center gave me the support, education and materials I needed to continue, in the most loving manner. Since I experienced several problems along the way and needed more than one appointment, it was very helpful for me and my family to have access to this resource for only $25. If this had been any different, I’m certain I would have stopped.

Thanks to the Foundation, my child is receiving the best nourishment I could provide and I am very grateful for that. Programs like this are silent saviors for women like me, since we don’t know we will need them until we do. Hence, the importance of making them affordable for families like mine, that may not be able to pay for the consultations full price. 

- Sofia

 

Amazon Smile Details:

AmazonSmile is a simple and automatic way for you to support your favorite charitable organization every time you shop, at no cost to you. When you shop at smile.amazon.com, you’ll find the exact same low prices, vast selection and convenient shopping experience as Amazon.com, with the added bonus that Amazon will donate a portion of the purchase price to your favorite charitable organization.

To donate to the San Diego Breastfeeding Center Foundation, you can send a check to:

San Diego Breastfeeding Center Foundation

3355 4th Ave.

San Diego, CA 92103