Live, Love, Latch: Celebrate World Breastfeeding Week in St. Louis

For more than 20 years, countries around the world have been celebrating World Breastfeeding Week as a way to protect, promote and support breastfeeding and its many benefits for mothers and babies.

Here in St. Louis, World Breastfeeding Week is celebrated annually as well. Every year, La Leche League of Greater St. Louis organizes a variety of special activities and events, all designed to connect, educate and empower local breastfeeding mothers and their families through information and support.

This year, two full weeks of festivities to celebrate breastfeeding are scheduled throughout the St. Louis area. From August 2-16, pregnant and nursing moms -- as well as kids, dads and other support persons -- are invited to participate in playdates, picnics, fundraisers, an educational seminar and more. These events are all part of the National Breastfeeding Month Celebration known as Live, Love, Latch!

Live, Love, Latch events for local families include:

• Saturday, August 2, 10am - Kick-off Picnic at Tower Grove Park. All are welcome at this family-friendly picnic to celebrate your support network. Bring your family, friends and favorite breastfeeding supporters. 
• Tuesday, August 5, 10am to noon - Art and Music at St. Louis Parenting Resources. Connect with other breastfeeding moms while your little ones enjoy music, refreshments and a children’s art class from Art and Up.   
• Wednesday, August 6, 10:30am to noon - Playdate at the Frisco Train Store. RSVP here if you plan to play with the trains; this event is limited to 20 kids in the upstairs party room.
• Saturday, August 9, 10:00am to noon – Enjoy the trails, wildlife and exhibits at Powder Valley. Join other breastfeeding families to see the indoor nature exhibits and “hike” the short paved trails at Powder Valley Nature Center. 
• Tuesday, August 12, 5pm to 9pm – Fundraising Dinner at Noodles and Company. A percentage of your dinner purchase will be donated to LLL of St. Louis when you present the Noodles and Company fundraiser flyer. Help fill the restaurant with breastfeeding families and supporters!
• Wednesday, August 13, 11am to 2pm – Ride the MetroLink to CityGarden. Don’t forget sunscreen, towels and swimsuits so kids can play in the fountains.
• Thursday, August 14, 10 am to noon – Jump for Joy at Pump It Up.This event is limited to 25 jumping kids; RSVP here to reserve your spot.

Whether you’re a brand new mother still learning how to nurse a newborn or a veteran mom with children of all ages, these events represent a fun and low-key way to connect with other mamas who share experiences similar to your own, and learn more about the breastfeeding support that La Leche League of Greater St. Louis has to offer.

You’ll also want to make plans to attend Breastfeeding and Parenting: Making It Work!, an educational, full-day seminar that concludes the two weeks of celebration on Saturday, August 16.

Breastfeeding and Parenting: Making It Work!

Now in its 4^th year, this annual seminar features sessions on a variety of parenting and breastfeeding topics, including birthing options in St. Louis and their impact on breastfeeding, breastfeeding through the different ages and stages of a baby’s life, breastfeeding after returning to work and – what parent couldn’t use this one – getting the sleep you need. 

The seminar represents an opportunity for nursing moms to troubleshoot potential problems before they arise, and get the help they need to resolve any challenges they are facing. Because while breastfeeding may be natural, as many new moms learn, it doesn’t always come naturally.

“My son refused to latch, so I pumped for 3 months,” says Sabrina Merritt, a local mom who attended the seminar last year.  “My husband and I attended Making It Work and learned so much about breastfeeding and parenting. Two days later, armed with the tools we gained from this seminar and assistance from LLL Leaders, my son latched. He’s now a happy, healthy one year old.

And she adds, “Our breastfeeding relationship is still going strong.”

Breastfeeding and Parenting: Making It Work! will take place from 8:45am to 4:30pm on Saturday, August 16 at The Heights community center. The cost is $20 for La Leche League Members and WIC Participants, and $25 for Non-Members. Babies are welcome at the seminar, but pre-registration is required online by August 11 for all attendees ages 3 and over.

To learn more about any of the Live, Love, Latch events and to register for Breastfeeding and Parenting: Making It Work!, visit www.lllstl.org and click on the Events tab. For immediate breastfeeding support, contact an accredited LLL Leaderor join St. Louis Area LLL on Facebook.