Caldwell County Health Dept. to host Breastfeeding Bash

On Aug. 14, the Caldwell County Health Department is hosting a Breastfeeding Bash, looking to connect expecting families, mothers who breastfed in the past, and supporters with community resources from across the county.

The bash will be from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Mulberry Recreation Center in Lenoir.

According to the WIC (Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children) department, people can flow in and flow out at any point in the event window, carrying a “passport” and collecting stamps at different vendor tables to turn in for a prize before leaving.

WHY BREASTFEEDING?

“Breastfeeding moms have better health outcomes,” said Caldwell County WIC Director Tamie Roy. “Breastfeeding children have better health outcomes. That’s something, in general, the state is wanting to see: more people breastfeeding their babies.”

Taylor Sumpter, the department’s breastfeeding peer counselor, pointed out that breastfeeding lowers the risk of breast cancer and ovarian cancer in moms, and asthma and sudden infant death syndrome in the baby — not to mention it’s cheaper.

Sumpter said that a lot of people don’t understand the benefits of breastfeeding, instead viewing it as a tedious mountain of work — freezers full of stored milk, pumps, and other idealized portrayals and misconceptions pushed on social media.

Her work as a peer support specialist means she fields calls from breastfeeding moms and those who are expecting, walking them through tough times and encouraging them.

Sumpter helps families understand how to get breast pumps through insurance, calls to check in on new moms, and even checks to see how they’re doing mentally, directing them to resources when they notice signs of postpartum depression or latching issues.

According to Sumpter and Roy, almost everyone can breastfeed; it just sometimes takes work to get the milk flowing.

“Breastfeeding can be easy if you make it easy,” Sumpter said. “It’s a natural thing, and you’re not having to fight the rush at the store, it’s readily accessible. You don’t have to wait and heat it up. You don’t have to prepare it. It’s ready to go!”