Breastfeeding Mama Talk is a blog and community forum for mothers to learn about the natural process of breastfeeding and other infant-related topics. They describe themselves as such:
A group of mothers who are passionate about helping mothers reach their personal breastfeeding goals and teaching people about breastfeeding in general.
The group makes it clear they are in no way against formula mothers, but are rather for woman making an informed decision and doing whatever makes them comfortable as they provide care for their child.
The group designed and ordered wristbands to help raise awareness for the normalization of breastfeeding in public, or private, or anywhere the mother wants. They invite you to tweet about your personal experiences using the hashtag #NormalizingBreastfeeding.
I had the pleasure of speaking with Kristy Kemp, the founder and owner of Breastfeeding Mama Talk. Here’s what she had to say:
What drew you to the cause of normalizing breastfeeding?
When I had my son 7 years ago, I knew nothing about breastfeeding. I had no support or community to go to and ask questions. I felt scared. I had no one to reassure me and encourage me. I felt alone. Which I feel had a lot to do with why I only lasted three months. I didn’t have a fun, magical experience with breastfeeding. When I learned of all the obstacles and constant sabotages other breastfeeding moms face, I felt I needed to do something about it, no matter how small. So I started Breastfeeding Mama Talk in September 2012. Since then it has grown to a following of over 930,000 people (mostly moms, but we have dads who follow, too) from all around the world. A total of 45 countries, to be exact. Then moms started writing into me thanking me for the community and saying how it had a hand in them not only choosing to breastfeed, but breastfeed longer than they had planned. Reading those messages has completely transformed my whole life and that is when I knew what my purpose was.
For the last five years I have devoted my heart and soul to the community. I recruited some helpers with professions ranging from Lactation Consultants, International Board Certified Lactation Consultants, Nurses, and more to help with answering questions moms have that range from milk supply issues, cracked nipples, tongue ties, latching issues, and more. I feel what I specialize with though is helping moms fight breastfeeding discrimination. I have helped many breastfeeding moms who have had an unfortunate encounter while breastfeeding in public get their story heard and taken seriously. Most of the time, their stories will end up on the news because of the help they received from my community in getting it attention. This usually leads to the business or person who discriminated taking accountability, giving a public apology, and offering assurances it will not happen in the future.
Here is just one of many stories I helped a mom get out there:
Shortly after I created my page, I had my own run-in with Facebook censorship. They kept deleting the breastfeeding photos off my page and banning me. You can see how my fight-back story went here:
Many moms face breastfeeding discrimination everyday and aren’t sure what they can do about it. Maybe they feel they won’t be taken seriously or that people won’t side with them, so they just comply and forget about it. The moms who come to Breastfeeding Mama Talk for support get it and then some. We have helped transform thousands of moms into confident, empowered breastfeeding moms. In fact, I have put together an album of testimonials from the moms who received the help and support they needed to continue breastfeeding confidently.
How have you been using the wristbands to promote the organization?
A big goal with most breastfeeding advocates is to normalize breastfeeding AGAIN like it once was, before the invention of formula and bottles. Don’t get me wrong, formula and bottles are great, but not when they are used to belittle the importance of breastfeeding. Truth is, there are many big differences with breastfeeding and formula feeding.
Breastfeeding moms face a lot of negative criticism for their breastfeeding choices. I feel the #normalizingbreastfeeding wristbands will start conversations which will lead to more awareness, education, & ultimately a society where breastfeeding is seen as the norm. I wanted to add my community on them as a way to help reach out to other moms to know where they can go and not feel alone in their struggles. I plan to add more options in the future: Some wristbands for moms who exclusively pump, moms who donate, moms who tandem nurse (nursing more than one child), and more. My hope is that breastfeeding moms and supporters wear them with pride.
What is the main take-away that you’d like people to understand?
Breastfeeding is normal.
Thanks Kristy for sharing your awesome project with us! Readers, if you’d like to visit her site and learn more about breastfeeding and other infant/mother topics, head here.
Want to have your wristband project featured on our blog? Head here.
