This is a bit off from my normal blogs for Gracie's Gowns, but I wanted to share an exciting event that is taking place this weekend near us.
The event is called The Big Latch On - and with next week being World Breastfeeding Week, couldn't be a more appropriate time to host such an event. The event in our area is located in Culpeper, Virginia at Yowell Meadow Park.
The event is called The Big Latch On - and with next week being World Breastfeeding Week, couldn't be a more appropriate time to host such an event. The event in our area is located in Culpeper, Virginia at Yowell Meadow Park.
As a mother to three children - the importance of breastfeeding is huge, especially when David and Madeline were born, not only did it become important for my own health and wellness, but also to help save our family money on formula costs. I was never able to nurse Aubrey, the NICU at the hospital we delivered at wasn't very helpful and really wasn't on board with breastfeeding, so when we brought her home and I tried to nurse, it just wasn't happening and became very frustrating for us both. It also turned out that she had a milk allergy. When I wasn't able to continue nursing David because he wasn't gaining any weight, I searched and searched for someone that would be able to donate milk, because I knew the benefits for his own health...unfortunately, I wasn't able to find anyone...and the same with Madeline when I had to wean her from nursing because of the surgery I was going to have on my neck.
It was depressing for me to stop nursing Madeline because she was so great - and healthy and the bonding time was amazing! I loved every second, but I was also working a job that wasn't near as supportive in allowing me time to pump between transports or even the right environment. I lucked out in comparison to my fellow co-workers that were also nursing mothers, but it was still rough.
Anyway - one day while surfing Facebook I came across Pink Cocoon and was just blown away. Cindy is an amazing woman and actually helped Culpeper Regional Hospital become the first Baby Friendly Hospital in the Commonwealth of Virginia. I was working at the hospital when the announcement was made they received the accreditation, it was amazing! Cindy has gone above and beyond in the region since then holding meetings, breastfeeding consultations, Douala services, childbirth classes and so much more...all while working in the birthing center at Culpeper Regional Hospital. And this weekend she is organizing The Big Latch On event.
It was depressing for me to stop nursing Madeline because she was so great - and healthy and the bonding time was amazing! I loved every second, but I was also working a job that wasn't near as supportive in allowing me time to pump between transports or even the right environment. I lucked out in comparison to my fellow co-workers that were also nursing mothers, but it was still rough.
Anyway - one day while surfing Facebook I came across Pink Cocoon and was just blown away. Cindy is an amazing woman and actually helped Culpeper Regional Hospital become the first Baby Friendly Hospital in the Commonwealth of Virginia. I was working at the hospital when the announcement was made they received the accreditation, it was amazing! Cindy has gone above and beyond in the region since then holding meetings, breastfeeding consultations, Douala services, childbirth classes and so much more...all while working in the birthing center at Culpeper Regional Hospital. And this weekend she is organizing The Big Latch On event.
So where does Gracie's Gowns fit into the picture? Well most know that I have sewn for several years now, and before the last 18 months of sewing our precious hospital gowns I sewed everything from quilts to burp cloths, nap mats to i-spy bags and several reusable items - reusable snack and sandwich bags, organic hot/cold packs, cloth diapers, un-paper towels and reusable nursing pads. This past weekend I was going through my containers of items I have sewn for sale at craft shows, and found a couple nursing covers and several sets of reusable nursing pads. I gathered the items and messaged Cindy on Facebook offering them to her for The Big Latch On this weekend to use a raffle items/goodie bags, whatever she'd like to use them for.
The other amazing part is Cindy also asked for a sample of our Newborn gowns for use at Culpeper Regional Hospital in the birthing center. We've already donated some 2-4 size gowns to the hospital for use in their Step-Down unit. They are reused by the hospital because they don't have that many children admitted, and when they do they don't stay very long. We will also be making them some 6-10 size gowns as well this year.
Here is the package we sent over to Cindy for The Big Latch On event this Saturday - anyone that is in or around the area is welcome to attend. Groups of breastfeeding women coming together at registered locations around the world to all latch on their child at a set time. All the breastfeeding women and children are latched on for one minute at the set time and are counted by the witnesses. The numbers are added up and we see if we can beat previous Big Latch On records or maybe even the world record!
The other amazing part is Cindy also asked for a sample of our Newborn gowns for use at Culpeper Regional Hospital in the birthing center. We've already donated some 2-4 size gowns to the hospital for use in their Step-Down unit. They are reused by the hospital because they don't have that many children admitted, and when they do they don't stay very long. We will also be making them some 6-10 size gowns as well this year.
Here is the package we sent over to Cindy for The Big Latch On event this Saturday - anyone that is in or around the area is welcome to attend. Groups of breastfeeding women coming together at registered locations around the world to all latch on their child at a set time. All the breastfeeding women and children are latched on for one minute at the set time and are counted by the witnesses. The numbers are added up and we see if we can beat previous Big Latch On records or maybe even the world record!
Good luck to all participating in The Big Latch On event this weekend and enjoy nursing your babies together! Hope those that win the items we donated like them!
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