About two dozen moms and their babies gathered Saturday at United Methodist Church to take part in the record-breaking 2018 Big Latch On, a global event that aims to raise awareness and support around breastfeeding.
About two dozen moms and their babies gathered Saturday at United Methodist Church to take part in the record-breaking 2018 Big Latch On, a global event that aims to raise awareness and support around breastfeeding.
Nearly 10,000 people worldwide took part in an event in which participants breastfed their babies for one minute at the same time, according to figures from the Global Big Latch On, and moms with babies from 5 weeks old to 2 years, 3 months participated in Brownsville. The church is home to the Stork’s Nest Breastfeeding Center, which provides bilingual 1-on-1 counseling and classes on breastfeeding.
Magally Ramos, certified breastfeeding instructor, said the aim of the event is to help normalize breastfeeding in the community and help maintain the number of moms who breastfeed.
“We’re getting there, but we still have some work to do,” she said. “Education is a key factor. When people start learning about the benefits to baby, mom and the family, it sets a different mindset.”
Breastfeeding benefits include boosting babies’ immune systems so they get sick less often and being easy on their stomachs, she said.
Perla Ramirez, 31, participated with her 16-month-old daughter, Eva. She said breastfeeding was incredibly difficult at first, and she had a hard time with her milk supply.
Getting up every two hours to feed Eva took a toll on her sleep and body. Ramirez said she was so dismayed by the time she learned about the Stork’s Nest services that she almost declined an appointment with Ramos.
“I was sad, I was discouraged, I was just down,” she said. “Thank God I didn’t let my discouragement tell her no.”
With Ramos’ help, Ramirez learned why her daughter was having trouble latching. Her milk production improved so much that she and her husband purchased a deep freezer to store it all. Ramirez said she is on track to donate more than 1,000 ounces of breast milk to Women’s Milk to benefit babies in neonatal intensive care units.
“I would tell (other moms) not to give up,” Ramirez said. “Look for their local lactation consultant so they can help them figure it out.”
Erika Mijares, 37, took part in the Big Latch On with her daughter, 14-month-old Elena. After breastfeeding her first child, she thought doing the same for her daughter would be easy.
It didn’t work out that way, Mijares said, and it takes a physical and emotional toll.
“Breastfeeding is always a struggle, so it’s great to have support from other moms, husbands, family members,” she said. “We had a really good time, and I hope to see it grow.”
Learn more about the Stork’s Nest Breastfeeding Center by calling its helpline at (956) 561-6455 or visiting www.ifnargv.org.
