Thank you to the award winners, nominees and ceremony attendees supporting breastfeeding in Ventura County!

Employers, child care providers and physicians make a critical difference in whether a mother continues to breastfeed her infant. Having a terrific support system benefits our babies!

2012 Breastfeeding Friendly Awards

During World Breastfeeding Week on Tuesday, August 7, 2012, the Breastfeeding Coalition of Ventura County presented its annual Breastfeeding Friendly Awards to organizations and individuals in Ventura County who have demonstrated exceptional support for breastfeeding mothers. Mothers, babies and breastfeeding advocates were present for the awards ceremony and a walk celebrating breastfeeding and its supporters.

See our Facebook page for more photos.

2012 Breastfeeding Friendly Award Winners

Large Business (over 50 employees)
Monsanto, Oxnard

"Monsanto sponsors a group called the Lactation Support Network (LSN) which maintains a website open to all employees with information on the benefits of breastfeeding as well as info on how to find help and support during the breastfeeding relationship. Monsanto has 2 lactation rooms onsite that are only allowed to be used by mothers for the purpose of pumping or breastfeeding. Even though I am an hourly employee, my manager allows me to be paid during the time I pump because I can bring my laptop into the room and access the company WiFi for the portion of the time pumping that isn't covered by my paid break time."

-- Molly Atkins

Not-for-Profit Organization
County of Ventura

"My employer has been very accomodating to giving us everything that is needed for breastfeeding success. We are provided with a great lactation room that has recently been updated. We are able to schedule the room for use via our intranet access and that makes it very nice to see what times are available and everyone is flexible if times need to be changed. Breastfeeding for me was a TOP priority so to have a place available that was private, comfortable and available was awesome."

-- Diana Mendez

Physician
Dr. Mizin Kawasaki, MD
Rolling Oaks Pediatrics, Thousand Oaks

"We switched to Dr Kawasaki after being frustrated with receiving advice from other pediatricians that endangered the strength our our breastfeeding relationship. Abigail was a year old when we started to see Dr Kawasaki and one of the first things she impressed upon me was how important it is for a toddler to continue receiving breastmilk. She made sure we were aware that there are elements of breastmilk that are important for the child's health and brain growth."

-- Katharine Watters

Childcare Provider
Cindy Thomas, Port Hueneme
Naval Base Ventura County Homecare Provider Network

"As a US Navy home day care provider of 13 years, Cindy has had many nursing children she's cared for. She's very supportive of nursing mothers. I would nurse on her couch before I left my son and right when I arrived to pick him up. Her couch was a pleasant place to nurse my son and converse with Cindy about the day. On the days I'd bring my milk I'd get the containers returned empty."

-- Kerri Miller

Additional Nominees:
The Nan Tolbert Nurturing Center, Ojai
Dr. Kevin White, MD / Surfside Pediatrics, Ventura
Dr. Terry Cole, MD, Ventura
Dr. Jennifer Hughes, DO / Surfside Pediatrics, Ventura

SPONSORED BY:

What is a Breastfeeding Friendly Award?
Awards are given annually to businesses, not-for-profit organizations, licensed child care providers and physicians located within Ventura County in recognition of outstanding promotion, advocacy and support of breastfeeding.

Why Should you Nominate Your Employer, Child Care Provider or Physician?
Employers, child care providers and physicians make a critical difference in whether a working mother continues to breastfeed her infant. Having a terrific support system benefits our babies! Great employers, child care providers and physicians deserve to have their efforts recognized and rewarded!

upcoming meetings

We will resume regular business meetings in 2013. Please stay connected through our mailing list.

events

To Clip or Not to Clip and Using the Hazelbaker Assessment Tool for Lingual Frenulum Function
and
Exclusive Breastfeeding in the Latino Community

Presented by the Santa Barbara Breastfeeding Coalition

Thursday, May 23, 2013
8:00 - 4:35
Santa Barbara

Para información en español sobre la lactancia por favor llame a:

Marisa Montgomery
(805) 655-6066