Over 100 families attended the annual Big Latch On in Murrieta on Saturday.  The event promotes breastfeeding and breastfeeding awareness while trying to set a world record.

Over 100 families attended the annual Big Latch On Saturday to promote breastfeeding and breastfeeding awareness while attempting to set a new world record for synchronized breastfeeding. A global event, the Big Latch On is hosted within individual communities and at multiple locations throughout each county. 

What it is

Organized by the World Alliance for Breastfeeding Action, the event coincides with World Breastfeeding Week, August 1-7, which is celebrated in 120 countries and marks the signing of the WHO/UNICEF document Innocenti Declaration, which lists the benefits of breastfeeding, plus global and governmental goals

Murrieta's Big Latch On was hosted by Kristen Davis, a Clinical Lactation Specialist with Breast4Baby, Donohoe Chiropractic Inc., the Inland Empire Breastfeeding Coalition, and Riverside University Health System Public Health. 

Murrieta's event tallied 70 breastfeeding and pumping moms who contributed to this year's goal of 14,889 children latched on at one time.  As of this publication, the goal has already been surpassed by over 3000.

"The goal of the event was not just to set a world record but to bring the community together to support and raise awareness to the benefits of breastfeeding," said Davis. "I wanted to provide a place where breastfeeding moms can come and know they are not alone."

Davis felt she accomplished her goal.  "The turnout was great, there were a lot of new moms this year, and everyone supported each other."

Why it Matters

Breastfeeding contributes to the normal growth and development of babies/children, and babies/children who are not breastfed are at increased risk of infant morbidity and mortality, premenopausal breast cancer and ovarian cancer (both mom and baby.), osteoporosis, adult obesity, diabetes, and cardiovascular disease.  The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends breastfeeding exclusively for the first six months of a baby's life to optimize these benefits.

Kathleen Pickering, Riverside County's Breastfeeding Coordinator for Women Infants and Children (WIC) elaborated.

"It is important for moms who want to breastfeed to have support and resources to do so. Programs such as WIC and Loving Support encourage and help mom's breastfeed for as long as they want to, providing resources, support, and education to ensure they can continue to breastfeed no matter the circumstance. "

This includes troubleshooting proper breastfeeding techniques, latch issues, educating moms and employers on breastfeeding and pumping laws, and advocating for these rights.

For those in attendance, the importance was not lost, with every family having experienced their own breastfeeding journey.

For Alli Bivins, 30, she was determined to breastfeed her eight month old daughter, Ava, due to the nutritional benefits.  "I knew it was best thing I could do for her."

However, she admits it has been a hard journey. Her daughter was born underweight and she had little support due to her husband's deployment.

"There is just so much: different pumps, how much you are pumping, are they getting enough, stress and how it can affect supply. The assumption is it is supposed to come instinctively, but it doesn't."

Kabarielle Anderson, 28, has also had a difficult time but was adamant to breastfeed. "My mom breastfed all of us so it was all I knew. Plus it is free and easy".

But breastfeeding itself has been challenging for Anderson. Her first child was born with an upper lip tie and posterior lip tie which made the experience very painful.  Her second, who is 20 weeks, will only nurse from one side, requiring her to pump from the other.

"It was no walk in the park but I just dealt with the pain because I didn't know anything else."

Anderson emphasizes that while her experience was not an easy one, it does get better.  With her second child she has been proactive; utilizing the support and resources available, and now donates breastmilk to micro preemies in neonatal intensive care units. To date she has donated over 9,276 ounces.

Bradleigh Schafer, 28, came with Bivins and has a support system that encourages her to continue to breastfeed.

Although their breastfeeding journeys are different, they all agreed determination is a key factor in their breastfeeding success.

Jennifer Stewart, Program Manager for Loving Support Breastfeeding Program for Riverside University Health System, understands the role attitude plays when deciding to breastfeed.

"One of the biggest factors to success is the mother's dedication and confidence." Along with the services Loving Support provides, they strive to instill both. "We want our client's to be successful and provide ways to ensure they can breastfeed for as long as both mom and baby are inclined to do so."

Additionally, a support system can also influence the mother's choice to breastfeed and for how long.

WHO noted "virtually all mothers can breastfeed, provided they have accurate information, and the support of their family, the health care system and society at large," and recommends continued breastfeeding up to two years and beyond. Additionally, the number one indicator of a breastfeeding mom's success is support at home.

Schafer agreed.

"The first step to being successful is a supportive spouse," said Schafer. "Knowing what I am doing is best for my child and that [my] husband has my back feels good."

"Women need that support. Not only from our spouses or society, but we, as women, need to support each other more," said Bivins. "Women judge each other for everything; breastfeeding should not be one of them.  It's the most natural thing in the world."

Stigma

However, there is stigma associated with breastfeeding.  Some find it unnatural, disgusting, inappropriate or view breasts as sexualized objects. Recent events have made national news with breastfeeding mothers being ridiculed, harassed, and asked to leave public establishments.

"I have gotten glared at," said Anderson. Every day I leave the house I wonder if today is the day someone will say something…I feel like I should always be ready with a stare back or a response."

Anderson feels the pressure and she is not alone. 

Many mothers feel their parenting choices are criticized, especially when it comes to their child's nutrition. Stewart noted many of the mom's clients of Loving Support feel pressure to stop breastfeeding by a certain age, guilty for supplementing, or pressures to stop pumping. The stigma associated with breastfeeding can be immense and can also influence a mother's choice to begin or continue to breastfeed.

Veronica Donohoe, co-owner of and Donohoe Chiropractic Inc, knows first-hand how society's attitudes contribute to the choice to breastfeed.  A mother at 16, she stopped nursing her first child at a year old because she thought that’s how long she was supposed to.

"I didn't know I could continue to nurse."

Lack of education, resources, support, and misinformation contribute to many new mothers choosing not to breastfeed, ending the experience before child and/or mother is ready, or reducing confidence in their ability to provide their child with proper nutrition.

One argument stresses society's tendency to sexualize breasts has also contributed to the negative attitudes of breastfeeding. 

"Breasts are used to sell everything from underwear to cheeseburgers without a second thought," Donohoe noted.  "As a community, we need to be more encouraging and accepting when we see a mom nursing in public."

Davis hopes that this event will aid in providing support for breastfeeding mothers and support from the community. She is aware of the stigma and controversy surrounding breastfeeding but does not like to focus on it.

"Breastfeeding is a positive and natural thing.  It does not need to be defended."

Where You Can Find Support

There are many local resources available for breastfeeding moms and their families. 

Loving Support provides a free 24 hour helpline and can be reached at 888-451-2499 or 951-358-7212.

WIC has local offices throughout Riverside County, including Temecula and Lake Elsinore.

Davis also leads a breastfeeding support group at 10 a.m. the second and fourth Wednesday of every month at Babies R' Us in Murrieta. She can also be reached at 760-716-6699.

Photos credited to: Typhanie Sharfner