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Community Corner

Moms to Celebrate Breastfeeding at an Officially Baby-Friendly Hospital

Eden Medical Center invites all moms for a celebration and health fair this Saturday, Aug.13, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Not every hospital wins the “baby friendly” seal of approval from UNICEF and the World Health Organization.

But as countless breastfeeding moms can attest, in Castro Valley is baby-friendly and then some.

This Saturday, the hospital is inviting “all community mothers” — including moms-to-be and past as well as present members of a breastfeeding support group — for a “breastfeeding celebration.”

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From 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., moms will enjoy featured speakers, useful health information, giveaways and light refreshments.

The event is intended to celebrate and support mothers who have made the often difficult choice to breastfeed their infants.

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In addition, the event will put a spotlight on Eden Medical Center's commitment to UNICEF and the World Health Organization's Baby Friendly Hospital Initiative, which means meeting 10 criteria, one of which is establishing a support group for breastfeeding moms.

Around the world, health care organizations including the Centers for Disease Control assert that breastfeeding gives babies nutrients and antibodies that simply cannot be found in formula.

Breastfeeding is also believed to reduce a child's risk for infections and chronic diseases such as diabetes, asthma, and obesity, as well as the mother's risk for Type 2 diabetes and breast and ovarian cancers. 

World Breastfeeding Week is celebrated in more than 170 countries worldwide.

At a support group meeting on Tuesday this week, six moms with infants in tow eagerly shared stories and advice.

“When you become a first-time mom, your image of yourself changes,’ said Esther Valenzuela, a lactation specialist who has coordinated the support group for the past five years. “And [the group] lets them say, 'That's OK, now let's find the new me.’”

Self-image may take a hit

Bernadette Mederios, director of Women's Services at Eden Medical Center, agrees that the support group helps breastfeeding moms achieve and maintain a healthy self-image. The support of other women helps them appreciate the profundity of witnessing their bodies perform the natural function of lactation, she said.

"This is what our bodies are meant for...[even though] there are people putting their different opinions on you," Mederios said.

Difficulties with breastfeeding are common

Over the years, Valenzuela has participated in many remarkable stories, like helping a mom whose baby lost 25 percent of its birth weight. For two years, that mother sought the support of the group as her child regained a healthy weight, Valenzuela said. 

Valenzuela says there are many difficulties in breastfeeding, including pain, fear and concerns about helping their baby achieve a healthy weight. Moms also need advice on how to keep breastfeeding after going back to work and how to handle the reactions of others who may be uncomfortable around a breastfeeding woman.

"If they didn't have this support, a lot of these moms would have quit breastfeeding," Valenzuela said. 

Baby Emit's mom appreciates the reassurance

Sadie Hannah, mother of 4-month-old Emit, agrees. Suggestions that she switch to formula might have convinced her to give up breastfeeding if not for the support of the group, she said. 

Hannah said one of the biggest benefits of a support group is receiving reassurance that the unfamiliar experiences associated with taking care of a newborn are normal. "The most important thing I learned is that it's normal that he eats as much as he does," Hannah said. 

Baby Edison's mom worried he wasn't eating enough

Helen Paz, mother of Edison, said the group helped allay her fears. "The first week, I was scared,” she said. “I didn't think [Edison] was eating enough, so it was exciting to bring him [to the group] and put him on the scale and watch him grow.” 

Many moms said they valued the chance to spend time with understanding adults during a period when many of them spend too much time alone at home with their baby. This reduces feelings of isolation that are so common to mothers of newborns.

Lasting friendships may be among the perks

The support group meets in an open-house arrangement that lasts four hours, with as many as 23 moms coming and going. Many of its members have formed lasting relationships and keep in touch through Yahoo groups, plan outings and exchange child-care favors.

For many of these persevering moms, the breastfeeding support group has evolved into a parenting support group, as well as a lasting source of friendship.

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