Free Military Family Breastfeeding Support + Advocacy Programs

Hello WAFs! My name is Julie and I’m thrilled to raise awareness for a FREE military breastfeeding support organization: Mom2Mom Tribase UK.

I have been married to my husband (USAF) for 7 years and we have 2 children: Nora (3 year old) and Christopher aka “Kit” (19 months). My degrees and training are in nursing – I was a Pediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU) nurse in the states for 6 years, then became a home visiting nurse with the Army’s New Parent Support Program when we were stationed in Germany. During this time, I became a certified lactation counselor (CLC) and committed myself to helping military families reach their breastfeeding goals. After leaving my job to stay at home with my daughter, I began volunteering with the Mom2Mom Kaiserslautern Military Community (KMC) Chapter. This organization allowed me to further cultivate my skills, collaborate with lactation professionals, work with military families, and develop meaningful friendships. Last year I became an International Board Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC) and moved to the United Kingdom in August 2020. I am fortunate to have grown up overseas and am now experiencing our second overseas assignment.

WHAT IS MOM2MOM TRIBASE UK?

Mom2Mom Global® and Breastfeeding in Combat Boots® are a worldwide network of breastfeeding support and advocacy for military families. Their goal is to provide consistent, high-quality, evidence-based information and peer support at U.S military installations by increasing access to lactation professionals. Mom2Mom Global® is committed to providing a friendly and encouraging environment to support each military family in meeting their breastfeeding goals. Breastfeeding in Combat Boots® focuses on advocating, educating, and supporting breastfeeding military service members.

MOM2MOM TRIBASE UK – LAKENHEATH, MILDENHALL & FELTWELL

Living overseas at (or near) a military instillation can have many advantages – travel, adventure, cuisine, new experiences – but also presents military families with unique challenges, such as isolation, culture shock, and limited services. Royal Air Force Lakenheath, Mildenhall and Feltwell are located about 1.5 hours northeast of London. Current resources for the area include the Lakenheath hospital (OB/GYN, Pediatrics, and a hospital IBCLC), New Parent Support Program, and Women Infant & Children (WIC). Despite these wonderful resources, it was apparent that military families needed more assistance and community support; specifically, families with young children needing lactation support.

Remembering the impact Mom2Mom KMC had on the greater-Ramstein community, I knew that creating a chapter here could do the same. Mom2Mom Tribase UK will provide a safe space where mothers can ask questions, receive support and education, and build friendships.

As an IBCLC, my goal is to empower, educate, support, and collaborate with families to assist in meeting their individualized breastfeeding goals. To achieve these goals, our chapter has had Facebook Live events on topics such as getting a deep latch, mastitis vs. clogged ducts, and how to perform hand expression. We post infographics, share fun breastfeeding photos and memes, and host weekly online breastfeeding cafes to provide education, answer questions, and socialize. Since starting our online ambassador chapter one month ago, Mom2Mom Tribase UK has gained over 100 followers vis social media, established a board of directors and is in the process of becoming a full chapter that can hold in-person events when health conditions allow.

MILITARY LACTATION COUNSELOR (MILC)

Mom2Mom Global® and Breastfeeding in Combat Boots® have recently developed the Military Lactation Counselor (MiLC) training and credential. This 55-hour lactation training is ideal for military members or civilians who work with breastfeeding military families. It is also a self- paced hybrid online program and fulfills hours for IBLCE Pathway 1 or Pathway 3. To find out more: https://www.mom2momglobal.org/milc-military-lactation-counselor.