You can’t go to Portland to talk about breastfeeding without focusing on workplace lactation (SGCTA #14). So, that’s what we did! There were so many great examples that we had to split up and I actually took on the role of behind the camera and interviewed employees at Wieden & Kennedy advertising agency. First off, the lactation program at W&K is beyond first class. They offer nursing mothers a $1,500 stipend when they travel more than four days so that they can bring someone with them to watch their baby so they can nurse while traveling for work. I also got to see “the breast seat in the house” — the chair in their pump room that has a wall covered with nursing babies.
Then, it was off to New Seasons Market where we parked the bus for six hours and got a steady flow of visitors. Several great local organizations popped up tents and handed out information. Pregnant women and breastfeeding moms may have gone to the grocery store to pick up groceries, but many of them left with information about local breastfeeding resources!
The highlight of the day was when a dad saw the bus, came up and asked how long we would be there. Within a half hour, he was back with his wife and newborn son. They had been having some challenges the last couple days to the point that the mom was starting to get pretty frustrated. Not only was she able to get some help from an IBCLC on the spot, she also was able to learn about free mother-to-mother support services available! Now, that’s what MFT and the Latch On America Tour is all about!
The Big Pink Bus looked great on camera (OK, so did Ryan) when Fox12 Oregon featured it on their morning show!
There were amazing highlights from the Portland stop, including a dad running home to bring back his wife who had been having issues breastfeeding for the last few days. She met some great resources, and that’s what Latch On America is all about!
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We can’t wait to pull the big pink bus into Portland — a city that’s home to amazing breastfeeding supporters and pioneers for workplace lactation legislation!
Highlights of the Portland stop include …
The New Seasons Market at Cedar Hills Crossing is the place to be for breastfeeding supporters and new moms on Tuesday, July 19 from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Connect with members of the Breastfeeding Coalition of Oregon (BCO), Nursing Mothers Counsel of Oregon, Milagros Boutique, Sante’ Mama, Renaissance Doulas, and many more, and meet the Latch On America film crew.
The documentary crew will be focusing on the Surgeon General’s Call to Action #14 — “Ensure that employers establish and maintain comprehensive, high-quality lactation support programs for their employees” — by visiting a cross-section of workplaces that accommodate breastfeeding moms. Portland’s Senator Merkley is a true leader in workplace lactation legislation, which passed first in Oregon and was then brought to the US Senate. In fact, he announced his bid for US Senate at a breastfeeding meeting!
We’ll be learning about different women’s experiences with breastfeeding and the culture of breastfeeding in the Portland area.
See you at the Portland event, and tell a friend!
{Find out more about the Portland event, RSVP, and help us spread the word about the Latch On America Tour HERE!}
Milk for Thought is bringing together the energy from all different parts of the breastfeeding community -- connecting advocates, experts and parents, providing the very best and most trustworthy breastfeeding information, and offering the support new moms need. Whether you’re passionate, dedicated or simply curious about breastfeeding, you can join forces, find answers and meet likeminded people at Milk for Thought.
