National Breastfeeding Event Latches on in Royal Oak

Christa Gowing has breastfed all three of her children, but she knows it isn’t always easy.

Nursing came relatively easily with her first son, now 12, but she had some challenges getting started when her second child was born three years ago.

“It didn’t happen so naturally,” she said, recalling tearful moments as she struggled to make it work.

With the help of a lactation consultant, Gowing was able to get past the rough start and enjoyed nursing for many months. Now she’s nursing her third child, and says she believes women need more breastfeeding support.

“When you’re new it’s supposed to be a natural thing, but sometimes you need help, sometimes you need encouragement,” she said. “All three of my kids were totally different experiences with their nursing, so it’s been interesting.”

So when Gowing, who lives in Sterling Heights, heard about a national multi-location event for nursing moms that would increase breastfeeding awareness, she decided to get involved by starting a meet-up for the event in Royal Oak.

On Saturday, Gowing and other local nursing moms will gather at in Royal Oak to participate in the Big Latch On. From 10:30-10:31 a.m. Saturday, as many moms as possible will have their babies latched on and nursing for a full minute in an attempt to set a new Guinness World Record for the most women breastfeeding simultaneously. In October 2010, 9,826 nursing mothers were recorded at 325 sites in 16 countries, according to the organization's website.

The Big Latch On, a synchronized nursing event in the United States taking place in hundreds of locations across the country, is organized by breastfeeding support group La Leche League International. The event coordinates with World Breastfeeding Week, which is Aug. 1-7.

Gowing said she thought Royal Oak would be a central place to host an event (other Michigan locations include Madison Heights, Farmington, Milford, Grand Rapids and Fenton) and the feedback from local moms so far has been positive. The event's Facebook page has at least 28 moms planning to attend.

“It seems to have a good response,” she said.

Gowing said she hopes moms will find support for themselves or even bring along friends who are expecting who might have questions about nursing.

“I’m just passionate about it. I’ve always viewed it as just a natural thing to do,” she said.

Gowing’s sister, Rebekah Smith, also plans to attend the event. Smith, who had her first child just 2 weeks ago, said she was given minimal instructions on breastfeeding in the hospital and had difficulty getting started.

“I have been lucky to have a lot of support. I know that many women do not have another woman to talk to,” said Smith, of Clinton Township, who recently attended a Royal Oak La Leche League meeting. “If I had not had other women to talk to or the La Leche League I would have given up.”

Katie Tierney, a birth and postpartum support doula who lives in Royal Oak, will attend the event to support breastfeeding. "There are countless benefits to breastfeeding, and there is no replacement for the bond that is shared between mother and child," said Tierney, whose children are now grown.

The Big Latch On will help get the word out about the importance of breastfeeding, Smith said.

“It's also helping to remove the stigma that it is an event that should occur only in the privacy of your home and not discussed,” she said. “I love being able to share these moments with my daughter and it's nice to know that I am a part of a larger community of women.”

For more information, visit the Royal Oak event’s Facebook page or www.biglatchon.org.