Bittersweet :: Nursing My Last Baby {A World Breastfeeding Week Appreciation Post}
And just like that August is here. The Olympics are in full swing, schools are gearing up to be back in session, and summer fun is coming to an end. The start of one thing can sometimes mean the demise of another. As I reflect on my time as a mother, I am grateful to acknowledge August as National Breastfeeding Month. I am currently nursing my sixth and last child. My littlest just turned 5 months, and I look forward to many more months of her suckling at my bosom. Weaning, most times, means liberation but I am embracing and inviting this final chapter as it comes to a close. In celebration of World Breastfeeding Week (August 1 – August 7), I would like to go down memory lane to spread more awareness, encourage, and support other mothers who are along this journey with me. Buckle up! 
My eldest, who is now a full blown teenager, was born when I was just a teen myself. I’ve nursed all six of my children, some way longer than others. I did not exclusively breastfeed my first for too long, and formula supplementation was highly encouraged. I just wanted my baby to thrive and I needed to go back to school. As a young mother, I had no idea how to balance working, nursing and pumping, and going to school. There was a childbirth education class at the hospital but it did not seem to prepare me for the lifestyle change that was to come.
Fast forward to 2024 where I am now a full spectrum doula, childbirth educator, pre/postnatal fitness instructor, and a certified breastfeeding specialist, one could say that I got bit by the birth bug. I am surrounded by insightful and well educated women who put in countless hours to support mothers, especially nursing mothers. There are nursing stations / lactation rooms in sports arenas, local festivals, shopping centers, etc. The buzz is out and the sting is making an impact! I do catering on the side and my supervisor has been so supportive when I need to run and pump. Even when my caboose has been determined not to take a bottle, they allowed my baby to come to me to make sure everything is good. The culture around breastfeeding is changing for the better and I love to see it.
We live in the age of information and sometimes get overloaded. The internet has a plethora of links, videos, and whatever else you can find at your disposal. Here in New Orleans, however, there are just enough resources at your fingertips. From IBCLCs, mommy lactation groups, and even childbirth education and parenting classes. I love this in person aspect because even though this is kind of a big city, the residents are more close knit like family. We can get together and share struggles and triumphs while building a community for us mamas and the kiddos too.
Common concerns are: engorgement, pumping, nipple shields, tongue and lip tie, scheduling, cluster feeding, colostrum harvesting, and tandem nursing just to name a few.
If you are having trouble breastfeeding, have an infant in the NICU, want to share your success story, or want to be on the educational and giving end please get reach out / get involved! Below are some ways to start:
- Check with your OB/GYN or Midwife to see the hospital or birthing center has lactation providers on-site.
- Consult with a local Doula. Many have breastfeeding certifications and include lactation education with their prenatal visits.
- Nola Baby Cafe’ meets at the We Play Center (two locations)
- Michelle with Southern Lactation Services in Slidell
- Louisiana Breastfeeding Coalition
- My colleague Jade George, IBCLC and owner of LactQueenz, and I are teaming up to bring La Leche League of Jefferson back to the GNO area so look out for that!
Week 1: (August 1-7) World Breastfeeding Week
Week 2: (August 8-14) Indigenous Milk Medicine Week
Week 3: (August 15-21) Asian American Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander Breastfeeding Week
Week 4: (August 22-31) Black Breastfeeding Week
