MAKE YOUR AMAZON PURCHASES REALLY COUNT THIS HOLIDAY SEASON!
DID YOU KNOW….
While 93% of parents start breastfeeding exclusively at birth in San Diego, only 56% continue doing so at 3 months, largely due to a lack of access and financial resources to ongoing lactation support.
You can help marginalized families gain access to life changing chest/breastfeeding support by purchasing Amazon items online, just by shopping through smile.amazon.com instead of amazon.com!
GUESS HOW EASY THIS IS???
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 charitable recipient. Then as you make your holiday purchases, and regular purchases throughout the year, the SDBFC Foundation will receive 0.5% of every purchase, at no extra cost to you. We turn Amazon’s money into barrier free lactation consultations for low-income and BIPOC families in need!
***From your desktop, go to smile.amazon.com and you will be prompted to choose a charity. Just type in our name!
***You can also register on the Amazon app! Open the app and find ’Settings’ in the main menu (☰). Tap on ‘AmazonSmile’ and follow the on-screen instructions to turn on AmazonSmile on your phone.
Your Amazon Smile purchases can help families, like Shelby’s, get the chest/breastfeeding support they deserve!
“I was really struggling with breastfeeding. It was painful, the latch looked fine but the engorgement was not going away. I was desperate for help. My husband was in school, I worked part time and everyone was telling us we needed to see a lactation consultant but we could not afford it. Around 4 weeks postpartum was when I discovered San Diego Breastfeeding Center. I was shocked that they had a program drastically discounted that we had access to. It made such a difference to meet with a consultant who was so present and kind to our struggles. What I found really helpful was nursing my son on location and weighing him to see how much he was taking in. We received great tips on how to help the engorgement and how to start pumping to introduce a bottle. Once we left we felt encouraged, empowered and more present on how to feed our son. It was such a blessing to have the available resource at such a discounted price.” - Shelby
Wishing you all the best during this giving season!
Warmly,
Robin, Brie and Gaby
Meet SDBFC's Newest IBCLC - Aisha Lope de Haro-Salleh
We are so thrilled to introduce you to our newest lactation consultant (pending) at SDBFC! Aisha joined us on September 16, 2022 and will start seeing her own clients on October 31, 2022 Here is our interview with Aisha. We can't wait for you all to meet her!
Aisha, tell us about yourself!
I was born in Brooklyn, NY to Puerto-Rican and Malaysian parents. My mother was in the Foreign Service so we moved around quite a bit to countries like the Dominican Republic, Canada, Mexico, and Nicaragua. As a teenager, we moved to Arlington, Va where I graduated from high school and then went onto college in upstate NY and graduated from Ithaca college. Upon graduating, I decided to follow in my parents’ footsteps and become a Peace Corps Volunteer. I served twice, once in Bangladesh and again in Togo, W. Africa where I ended up extending for a third year working on HIV/AIDS prevention and women empowerment programs. When I returned stateside, advocating for social justice issues really spoke to me, so I got involved with the labor movement. It’s where I fell in love with a San Diego native who convinced me to move out here in the summer of 2013. It turns out it was one of the best decisions I’ve ever made. By the fall of that year, we got married, bought a home in the quaint neighborhood of Rolando Village, and found out we were expecting our first child just a few months later. Fast forward to today, we have two amazing kids, our daughter Kai and our son Zehn who both attend the Language Academy, a Spanish and French immersion school in our neighborhood. Becoming a parent and starting a second career as a lactation consultant has truly been humbling and incredibly rewarding in all the ways. My gratitude is endless.
What inspired you to become a lactation consultant?
As a new stay-at-home mom and San Diego transplant, I started a local moms’ group in our neighborhood as I was craving a sense of community for me and my daughter since all of my friends and family were back on the east coast and my husband’s family were all back in the midwest. There were about 6 of us new SAHMs that would meet at our local park every Wednesday morning and sit in the shade of a pepper tree and breastfeed our little ones as we shared stories that made us laugh and sometimes cry. Being a new breastfeeding family isn’t easy. Over time, our group grew and so did many of our families. So many stories were shared of feeling alone, embarrassed, insecure, or just disappointed in our bodies when trying to face and overcome our breastfeeding challenges. The one thing that helped to empower us most to continue on our breastfeeding journeys was the advice and compassion from a trained lactation consultant. Some of us met one in a hospital or at home. I met a few in a couple of support groups and they changed my life. It was through our shared stories and experiences that I knew becoming a lactation consultant was the work I was being called to do.
What are you most excited about working for the SDBFC?
It’s an honor to be working at the San Diego Breastfeeding Center. Working with a team of professional and skilled lactation consultants is pretty much a dream come true. Being able to provide lactation care for families from diverse cultures and backgrounds and varying socioeconomic circumstances makes the work that much more meaningful and rewarding. It’s important that our center welcomes everyone and that everyone feels welcomed.
What are your top 3 tips for a brand new chest/breastfeeding parent?
No one knows your baby better than you do. Trust yourself.
Try to silence the noise. There can be so much pressure from family, friends, or our community/social media that we often feel pulled in so many directions. It’s ok to do what feels right for YOU and your family. It will inspire others to do the same.
Yes, some people have a challenge-free breastfeeding experience- their baby has a beautiful latch and mom’s milk supply is plentiful. And then there are the rest of us. Seek help. Go to a breastfeeding support group or make an appointment with a lactation consultant. We can’t wait to meet you!
Welcome to the team, Aisha!
Meet SDBFC's Newest IBCLC - Lana Mihaiyu
We are so thrilled to introduce you to our newest lactation consultant (pending) at SDBFC! Lana joined us on September 16, 2022 and will start seeing her own clients on November 7, 2022. Here is our interview with Lana. We can't wait for you all to meet her!
Lana, tell us about yourself!
I was born and raised in California, and I love all of the wonderful landscapes this sunny state has to offer. My husband and I met while living abroad in Tokyo and together we moved to New York City. We enjoyed several years in the City before making the move out west in 2015. The birth of my daughter was a turning point for me and I felt called to support families in their transition to parenthood. This led to a career shift where I trained to become a postpartum doula and eventually went back to school to study lactation. I am very passionate about the impact a kind gesture, thoughtful guidance, or encouragement can have on new parents and their parenting journey.
My daughter is now almost 4 years old and recently started “breastfeeding” her stuffed toy tiger, Stripey. My heart is full.
What inspired you to become a lactation consultant?
I can still remember the lactation consultants that visited me in the postpartum unit after the birth of my daughter. They were thorough and supportive, and I was moved by their care. I spent nearly a year reading everything I could find relating to breastfeeding, infant sleep and development, and maternal health and outcomes, just to help me navigate my new normal. Recognizing the importance of representation in the lactation field, I felt drawn to supporting others and providing that same level of compassionate care that I received.
What are you most excited about working for the SDBFC?
I really respect how San Diego Breastfeeding Center supports families from all corners of the community. The services are personalized and professional, but most importantly, accessible. I grew up in a military family, so I value the support we provide to our service members and their families, as well.
What are your top 3 tips for a brand new chest/breastfeeding parent?
My first tip would be to take a prenatal breastfeeding class! Having an understanding of what to expect in the first few hours and days after birth can be really beneficial and empowering.
2. Next, prioritize rest, healing, and supporting the immune system. Childbirth is a major physical and emotional event, so it’s equally important to nourish and nurture the new parent.
3. And lastly, keep your list of resources handy. Know who to reach out to for lactation support, postpartum support groups, etc., and get in touch early.
Welcome to the team, Lana!
Meet SDBFC's Newest IBCLC - Kathleen Smith-Mercado
We are so thrilled to introduce you to our newest lactation consultant (pending) at SDBFC! Kathleen joined us on September 16, 2022 and started seeing her own clients on October 28, 2022 Here is our interview with Kathleen. We can't wait for you all to meet her!
Kathleen, tell us about yourself!
I grew up on the east coast in Virginia and Maryland. My family moved to San Diego when I was 16 years old. I went to college in San Francisco where I met my husband. We continued to travel in our 20’s, living in Australia and eventually moving back to San Diego where we both have family. I was a pastry chef and he is a beer brewer, after we got married we moved to Nashville, TN. It was here were we welcomed our two beautiful daughters into the world. We quickly realized how difficult it was raising a young family without the support of our extended family around. Shortly before my second daughter was born, my mom passed away from her battle with breast cancer. With the loss of mother, a lack of support in raising two babies under the age of three, and a colicky infant, I was diagnosed with postpartum anxiety. My husband was incredibly supportive and as therapy helped me cope, I realized that I never wanted another parent to feel as alone as I had felt. At the end of 2019, I trained to become a postpartum doula and my journey into the world or birth work had begun. I fell in love with supporting families helping parents reinforce their parental intuition. There is something magical about watching a family not just survive parenthood but truly thrive in it. I now work part-time as a lactation consultant and part-time as a postpartum doula while spending as much time as possible with my amazing family.
What inspired you to become a lactation consultant?
I struggled to breastfeed my first daughter and had little to no instruction on how to do it. I did not even know I could make an appointment with a lactation consultant outside of the hospital! Our first night home was a disaster and I ended pumping and bottle feeding her. I was an exclusive pumper for her for over 6 months and had a massive supply that I was tied to. When my second daughter was born, I was more prepared. We got off to a rocky start, the lactation consultant in the hospital shamed me for “caring too much” and “trying too hard”. I sought the help of a lactation consultant once we got home, and they were very supportive. My daughter had a tongue tie that I was told would not cause a problem and to not revise it. I spent the entire first year of her life triple feeding because of her tie (nursing, then pumping and bottle feeding). My breastfeeding journeys were difficult and in my postpartum doula work I saw how many parents struggled regularly with this. I was inspired to learn as much as I could about breastfeeding. I was empowered to help normalize that breastfeeding can have its difficulties, but they can be overcome with proper support and kindness. I believe that everyone deserves access to breastfeeding support and that the way we speak to our new parents can truly impact their nursing journey.
What are you most excited about working for the SDBFC?
I have been a longtime admirer of Robin Kaplan’s work and the work that SDBFC does within the San Diego community. I truly believe that breastfeeding support should be provided to families of all incomes. I am excited to work with an organization that makes it possible for support and education to be accessed by all families.
What are your top 3 tips for a brand new chest/breastfeeding parent?
Remember that your first few weeks are a lot of “practice” in breastfeeding. Every nursing session serves as a practice for how to get in a good latch and good transfer. This practice means lots of focus on nursing, less distractions, and lots of time with your shirt off so surround yourself with people you are comfortable with.
2. Patience, for yourself, your partner and your situation. Remember, we are learning who baby is and their likes and dislikes. Just as baby is learning to live outside of the womb, it is important to give yourself grace and patience with every moment.
3. Accept help and ask for it when you need it! We are always so quick to let offers of help fall to the wayside but remember your friends and family want to help you! That’s why they are your friends and family. Let them bring you dinner or do your laundry. There will be another time for you to do the same for them but now is your time to be mothered as well. Parenthood is a journey that is truly built within your community. Parents with strong support systems thrive in parenthood.
Welcome to the team, Kathleen!
We still have San Diego Latch On T-Shirts!
Who Wants an Awesome San Diego Latch On 2022 T-Shirt???
We are so excited to share with you our newly designed San Diego Latch On t-shirt!
Here are the details:
We have a few sizes left
All prices include shipping
All proceeds will be donated to the San Diego Breastfeeding Center Foundation to help pay for lactation consultations for local BIPOC and low-income families.
Ready to purchase your awesome new T-shirt????
NAVY CREW T-SHIRT - AVAILABLE IN S, M, L, XL, 2XL
MAROON RACER BACK TANK - AVAILABLE IN S, M, L, XL (RUNS A LITTLE BIG)
Once purchased, your shirt will be mailed to you within 5-7 business days. Must live in the US.
San Diego Latch On 2022 T-shirts are ON SALE!
Who Wants an Awesome San Diego Latch On 2022 T-Shirt???
We are so excited to share with you our newly designed San Diego Latch On t-shirt!
Here are the details:
Our presale is official closed, but that doesn’t mean you can’t get a t-shirt at the event!
A limited amount of t-shirts will be available for purchase at the event for $35 (plus sales tax).
All proceeds will be donated to the San Diego Breastfeeding Center Foundation to help pay for lactation consultations for local BIPOC and low-income families.
Ready to see the awesome T-shirts????
NAVY CREW T-SHIRT - AVAILABLE IN S, M, L, XL, 2XL
MAROON RACER BACK TANK - AVAILABLE IN S, M, L, XL (RUNS A LITTLE BIG)
San Diego Latch On Event 2022 - WHO'S READY???
Are you ready to find out the details for the San Diego Latch On 2022?
Celebrate World Chest/Breastfeeding Week with us at the San Diego Latch On event! Join the San Diego Breastfeeding Center Foundation, and our amazing sponsors - Kindred Bravely, Solly Baby, Baby Tula, Little Star Dentistry, and Impact Partners, in a fun-filled event for the whole family! This year’s event will be in Allied Garden Recreation Park . While you wait for the actual Latch On to occur (at 10:30a), you can set up a picnic, hang out in the playground, peruse the vendor booths (you won’t want to miss these!), and bid on our awesome auction items!
The first 100 attendees to check in will get a free tote bag with goodies, samples and resource materials from our local partners!
The San Diego Latch On event serves as one of our major fundraisers for our non-profit organization, the San Diego Breastfeeding Center Foundation. San Diego Breastfeeding Center Foundation believes it is our duty as birth and perinatal workers to provide equal access to all regardless of their economic status or the color of their skin. But we know there is still racial and economic disparity of access and representation in both lactation support and other crucial pre/postpartum healthcare.
That is why our Foundation provides free or low-cost lactation support to our community members who identify as low-income or BIPOC, and offer scholarships to BIPOC individuals seeking to become Lactation Professionals.
Here are the preliminary details. We will begin to share more about the event over the next few weeks!
When is the San Diego Latch On?
The San Diego Latch On event will take place on Saturday, August 6, 2022 from 9a-11a. The actual Latch On (children latching on to set a local record) will take place at exactly 10:30am, so don’t be late!
Where will the San Diego Latch On take place?
Allied Gardens Recreation Center Park - 5155 Greenbrier Ave, San Diego, CA 92120
Is there a charge to participate?
Not at all! This event is totally FREE!
Can I bring my family or is this just for chest/breastfeeding parents and child/ren?
This is a totally family-friendly event! There will be plenty of things to keep older children entertained, so bring them all!
Do I need to register?
Yes, please!
Wondering how you and your business can get involved?
Since the San Diego Latch On event is a major fundraiser for our nonprofit organization, the San Diego Breastfeeding Center Foundation, we rely heavily on event sponsors and auction donations. If you are interested in becoming a sponsor or have a service/item to donate for our auction, please send an email to Brie Weigandt, Fundraising and Community Outreach Coordinator, at bweigandt@sdbfcfoundation.org
Get Ready for San Diego’s Biggest Lactation Event of the Year!
Chest/Breastfeeding After a Cesarean Birth
Let me start off by saying: Having a cesarean is not a deal breaker for chest/breastfeeding. You can absolutely have a full milk supply after a cesarean birth! Whether your child is born by emergency cesarean or scheduled, there are a few things you can do to minimize this surgery’s impact on your chest/breastfeeding experience. Here are some ways to set you up for success.
Be gentle to your abdomen
Having a cesarean is major abdominal surgery, so move slowly and try to rest as much as possible. Try chest/breastfeeding in the football hold so that your baby is not resting on your abdomen while feeding. Eventually you can move to a standard cradle hold once your abdomen is less tender.
Lot of skin to skin
Who doesn’t love the thought of a yummy, squishy baby snuggling on their chest? Skin to skin calms your baby, regulates their nervous system, regulates their oxygen levels and temperature, and gives them access to your chest/breast (i.e. food). It also increases your oxytocin (your love hormone!) and helps bring in your milk supply. Win-win for everyone involved!
Help your body get rid of swelling
Some parents experience temporary swelling (edema) in their hands, feet, and chest/breasts after a cesarean. This is due to the fluids given during your surgery. Edema can cause a delay in your milk supply ‘coming in,’ as the excess fluid is competing with your milk in your chest/breasts. It can also cause your chest/breasts to feel engorged, making it more difficult for your newborn to latch on. Here are some ways to help your body process/reduce swelling:
Drink lots of water with lemon or cucumber
Keep your legs elevated, preferably above your hips
Drink a cup or two of dandelion tea/day (unless you are on anticoagulants)
Avoid salty foods
Wear compression socks
Hand expression / pumping while in the hospital
Research studies show that hand expression after nursing, a few times a day during the first few days postpartum, brings in your milk supply more quickly, as well as increases future milk production. And if you are separated from your baby or having difficulties latching during those first few days, hand expression after pumping can help remove your colostrum more effectively. Check out this video which shows how to hand express colostrum.
Protect your gut and your nipples
Most likely you will be given antibiotics before or after cord clamping. Antibiotics kill off the bad bacteria AND good bacteria in your gut. So, you will want to start taking a high-quality probiotic to recolonize your gut with good bacteria for a few weeks. This will help your digestive system, as well as prevent a yeast infection or nipple thrush.
And, if you are struggling with latch or milk production, please reach out to a lactation consultant for help!
Meet SDBFC's Newest IBCLC - Meghan Seperack
We are so thrilled to introduce you to our newest lactation consultant at SDBFC! Meghan joined us on November 18th and started seeing her own clients on January 12th! Here is our interview with Meghan We can't wait for you all to meet her!
meghan, tell us about yourself!
I would describe myself as a fun-loving, hard-working, family-centered daughter, sister, wife, friend, and lactation consultant. My friends and family would describe me as a positive, outgoing, grounded, and dedicated person. I was born and raised in Northern California and vacationed in San Diego as a child. When it came to college, I chose San Diego to call my new home and I have been here ever since. I moved around the county from College Area to Pacific Beach, East Village to University City, Carmel Valley to Carlsbad, and I have enjoyed many outdoor activities that San Diego has to offer. When I am not working, you can find me with a book on the beach or at a park, walking local trails or hiking, celebrating birthdays and weddings, or visiting family. I am an expert party-planner, power-napper, travel companion, and manifester. I am proud to call San Diego home, where watching the tide roll in and out creates instant inner peace for me.
What inspired you to become a lactation consultant?
In 2016, I was laid off from my first job out of college. I was working in advertising for a creative agency and formed great relationships with my coworkers, but I was lacking purpose in my day-to-day work. A month of unemployment turned into a month of reflection and personal development. I began a meditation practice and found it extremely helpful in gaining clarity around my priorities. I felt called to finding a career involving families and babies. Fast forward to 2020, after returning to the creative services world for another several years, staying open for life to unfold, I was introduced to the field of lactation consulting through an article about the benefits of breastmilk on the infant gut. The article lit a spark within me and further reading and conversations snowballed until I found myself on the path of transitioning my career. After completing pre-requisite college courses, I began full-time lactation education and training and embraced my new career with deep passion to support chest/breastfeeding parents and their partners to provide human milk to their babies and impact societal health from infancy.
What are you most excited about working for the SDBFC?
I am delighted to be a member of the San Diego Breastfeeding Center and honored to work alongside Robin Kaplan, and the entire team of skilled consultants. I am grateful for the continued education that SDBFC provides for our team to stay up to date on the latest research in the field and to bring expanded knowledge to our clients, such as plant medicine for milk supply and postpartum support. Behind the scenes of SDBFC is a team of passionate consultants working together to bring the best support possible to the families in our care.
I am looking forward to serving families in my local community and surrounding areas in North County with home visits. I have heard from many mothers how having a consultant come to their home creates ease and comfort. They’ve shared that it increases their confidence after having their questions answered, their baby’s weight and milk transfer assessed, and having an action plan to move forward with. I’m excited to be an integral part of that journey and continue to support and work through chest/breastfeeding challenges.
What are your top 3 tips for a brand new chest/breastfeeding parent?
There are three things to keep top-of-mind for a new chest/breastfeeding parent.
Your why. If you have chosen to chest/breastfeed, what were the reasons why? Maybe it was something your doctor said, or your sister-in-law told you, like how breastmilk protects babies from infection and disease. What have you discovered that cemented your desire to chest/breastfeed? What fun facts get you excited about breastmilk?
Your resources. As the saying goes, it takes a village to raise a baby, so it is helpful to identify your inner circle of support. Who will be your cheerleader, your helper with laundry and meals, your listening ear? If feeding challenges arise, what providers can you lean on for chest/breastfeeding support? Along with identifying your people resources, having prenatal education resources can play a significant role in the first few days and weeks of lactation. Aiming for skin-to-skin time and frequent nipple stimulation in the early days will lay the foundation for long-term lactation.
Yourself! In the first few months, you and your partner may feel like you are in survival mode. What supportive practices have you leaned on in past challenging times? What affirmations would you say to your best friend, and can you say those to yourself? That could sound like, you’ve got this. You are the best mom for this baby. Tomorrow is a new day. You are doing a great job. Check in and give yourself some big loving because a healthy mom is of utmost importance.
Welcome to the team, Meghan!
Meet SDBFC's Newest IBCLC - Heather Sherman
We are so thrilled to introduce you to our newest lactation consultant (pending) at SDBFC! Heather joined us on November 18th and started seeing her own clients on December 27th! Here is our interview with Heather. We can't wait for you all to meet her!
Heather, tell us about yourself!
I'm originally from upstate New York. After meeting my husband in 2004 I married into Navy life. We moved around the country quite a bit and have lived in Philadelphia, Central Pennsylvania, Northern Virginia, Virginia Beach, Monterey, and Memphis. In 2019 we moved to San Diego and it immediately became home. I have three sons who keep me very busy. But, I also love to paddleboard, sew clothing, knit all the things, read fiction, watch movies with my family, go to baseball games, and walk my dog on the beach.
What inspired you to become a lactation consultant?
I felt disempowered and out of touch with my body after a traumatic birth experience with my first son. In many ways I felt my body had failed me because the birth hadn't turned out how I had expected. I immediately turned my focus to the breastfeeding relationship and put a lot of energy into working through my initial difficulties. Breastfeeding helped me restore my faith in my body and bond with my son after birth trauma. With my next son I had a home birth attended by an amazing midwife, which really completed my healing. For me these experiences underscored the importance of a great support system and how healthcare providers can make a huge difference in parents' experience during the perinatal period. After becoming a parent I spent a lot of my free time connecting with and supporting other parents, both casually and in support groups, and learning as much as I could about birth and lactation.
What are you most excited about working for the SDBFC?
I am so grateful to work alongside and learn from the incredibly talented IBCLCs at SDBFC. It is so exciting to join a team that provides the kind of compassionate, inclusive, and quality care that makes a positive impact on so many families in our community.
What are your top 3 tips for a brand new chest/breastfeeding parent?
1Take a chest/breastfeeding class while you or your partner is still pregnant or schedule a prenatal lactation consultation. It is so helpful to learn the basics of good positioning and latch before giving birth. Getting this information early on helps set realistic expectations about what your first few days and weeks with your baby will be like. Bring your partner or major support person! It is important that partners and major support people also learn chest/breastfeeding basics and understand how they can be helpful and supportive when you are chest/breastfeeding.
2. Identify your personal support team and cheerleaders. Meeting your chest/breastfeeding goals can be impacted by the support you get, or don't get, from your partner, family, social circle, and healthcare providers. Keep your cheerleaders close and set loving boundaries with well-meaning folks who may not understand or support your goals. Choose OBGYNs, midwives, pediatricians, and lactation consultants who respect your choices and make you feel heard and supported.
3. Be prepared to be flexible. Sometimes we get very attached to how we think things "should" be. It is wonderful when things work exactly how we hoped. But, if you hit a bump in the road you can still have a positive feeding relationship with your baby. Work with your lactation consultant to explore all of your options and choose the one that feels best for you and your family.