Breast-feeding: Taboo topic? Not for long

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Ciara M. Travis
  • 86th Airlift Wing Public Affairs
RAMSTEIN AIR BASE, Germany --  "It's all too often that breast-feeding is frowned upon in society, when in actuality, it should be praised," said Rene Drake, Ramstein's Mom2Mom program coordinator.

This August is National Breast-feeding Awareness month, the first week of which is World Breast-feeding Week. Several organizations across the Kaiserslautern Military Community are coming together to support the cause by offering events open to all.

Breast-feeding Awareness Month was designed to support new and expecting mothers, and also help the community gain knowledge of what is commonly considered a taboo subject. Several organizations throughout the KMC are pushing to make breast-feeding a more comfortable topic.

"At the [Women, Infants, and Children] Office, we are doing everything we can to make moms feel more at ease with breast-feeding," said Jodi Ashbrook, 86th Mission Support Group registered dietician. "We offer counseling for new and expecting moms and we also have a lactation room here in our office open from 7:30 to 4:30 p.m."

Various groups are also petitioning to open a lactation room in the Kaiserslautern Military Community Center -- allowing mothers to feel more confident while breast-feeding in public.

"The best thing is to be aware, reach out, and use the programs offered," said Ashbrook. "We are here to help, so don't be afraid to get involved and meet other moms who have gone or are going through the same thing."

The World Health Organization recommends infants should be exclusively breastfed for the first six months of life or beyond to achieve the best possible health and development.

"There are so many wonderful benefits to breast-feeding," said Ashbrook. "The human body creates ingredients that cannot be produced artificially. In the breast milk there is immunoglobulin, live cells and antibodies. Also, the bond between mother and baby during breast-feeding is great for the baby."

According to Drake, in some cases, breast-feeding can be a challenge for new mothers, she said.

"With the Mom2Mom support group, it's easy to meet other mothers who have had similar experiences," said Drake. "It's so important to build a support system. The first few weeks after delivery can be a very vulnerable time for moms, and being surrounded by the right people can help a ton. We have mentors of all types -- active duty moms, mothers of multiples, and more."

"Being educated on the benefits to breast-feeding is extremely important, so take advantage of what is offered," said Drake.

Mom2Mom is also sponsoring a photo-shoot fundraiser for pregnant or breast-feeding mothers on Saturday. MPH Photos is offering two professionally edited photos for just $15.

The second annual Mom2Mom Family Picnic is scheduled for August 21 at the Donnelly Park pavilion from 10:30 to 1:30 p.m. There will be over $800 in prizes and bouncy castles.

There are also many other resources in the KMC:

The Landstuhl Regional Medical Center has a lactation consultant who provides breast-feeding classes from 6 to 8 p.m. every first Thursday of the month. For details, call 06371-86-5081.

The New Parent Support Program has a breast-feeding class every third Monday of the month. For details, call 06371-46-2098.

The Mom2Mom breast-feeding support group holds meetings from 9:30 to 11 a.m. every second Wednesday of the month. Call Rene Drake at 0151-2356-1549 for more information.

The WIC office offers a support group the third Tuesday every month, beginning September 20 at 11 a.m.