Newsletter January 2020

Update from new President For years, Amanda Sterling, IBCLC and I chatted about the need for coalition in south Mississippi to bring together all the advocates, providers and resources that work to promote and support breastfeeding. Finally, an organization to get people talking to each other and working together!  In 2017, Amanda made it happen.  In these first two years, the organization has gone from a newborn to a full blown toddler.  I am thrilled to join the Board as President for  a two year term.  

I have been supporting mothers one on one as a breastfeeding friend for 15 years. After many years as a volunteer La Leche League Leader, I took the step to become an IBCLC and now work in private practice.  I am donating my time and energy to South Mississippi Breastfeeding Coalition because - as important as that one on one support is for breastfeeding families to reach their goals - ONLY together can we identify and fill the gaps that causing families to not reach their breastfeeding goals.  We must come together.

The coalition has worked hard to create and maintain a comprehensive, local "Breastfeeding Resource Guide."  It is being distributed by every hospital on the coast to every breastfeeding family!  WOW - What an accomplishment.  The guide is found online here.  And, I know it is being used because I am getting calls from families that need help and they used that guide to find me!  It is so wonderful!

What's next?  Well, I have some ideas of where to go from here.  But, more importantly, we need ideas from  everyone!  Where is the gap that is preventing families from reaching their breastfeeding goals?  Lack of good information?  No support at daycare?  Unsupportive employers?  Hit reply and tell me what you think.

Can't wait to hear from you,
Bianca Wooden, IBCLC
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