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Event to support mothers

News-Topic - 8/1/2019

Aug. 1--When Ashley Sipes started breastfeeding, facing physical and societal pressures was so difficult, she didn't think she could keep doing it for six months, let alone four years for her first child and a year and a half and counting for her second.

Sipes chose to breastfeed her children for years because of health benefits to her and her daughters, and she got through it with support from her family.

Now, she's helping organize an event to support other mothers as they breastfeed their young ones. The Big Latch On is a worldwide event that promotes breastfeeding during World Breastfeeding Week and brings women together to breastfeed at the same time, and Sipes and other mothers are hosting a Lenoir event to coincide with the national latch.

On Saturday at 10:30 a.m., hundreds of women around the world and in Lenoir will "latch on" and breastfeed at the same time, Sipes said. It's not only an attempt at a record, but a way to normalize and support breastfeeding.

"It's great to know that you're not isolated and alone," when breastfeeding, Sipes said. "I think that's why this is important."

The event is more than just a one-time breastfeeding, and it's for more than just mothers of infant children, she said. There will be a raffle for gift cards and goodies donated by sponsors, a parent-child exercise class, food and drinks, kids' games and a photo booth. The Caldwell County Health Department's Women, Infants and Children section will be there to guide

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women in infant health and nutrition and answer questions, as will a pediatrician -- both for the first time since the Lenoir chapter started hosting the event five years ago, Sipes said.

"I'm glad to have them there," Sipes said. "We've done this every year, and now we have support."

The event aims to support mothers and their families, so fathers, siblings, grandparents and anyone involved in raising a child are welcome, she said. The more people know about breastfeeding and its benefits, the less stigmatized it will be, Sipes hopes.

Sipes herself has been on the receiving end of the negative stigma, she said. She's been asked to cover up while breastfeeding, even at her daughter's physical therapy appointment.

"Even in today's world people are shamed for it," Sipes said.

In the past four years the event has drawn about 20 mothers each time, but this year Sipes hopes to grow that number and spread the reach of the event, if only so more mothers know there are people to support them as they breastfeed.

"It's great to know that you're not isolated and alone," Sipes said.

Reporter Virginia Annable can be reached at 828-610-8724.

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