I’ve openly shared my story about having a prophylactic double mastectomy, which makes me even more proud of these pictures. No doubt I experienced the highs and lows of breastfeeding and while everyone’s journey is different, mine was incredibly short never having made it beyond 6 months. I proudly breastfed 3 little humans and while these images are now a distant memory, the importance remains the same…every ounce counts. One thing I know for sure about breastfeeding is that it is ridiculously hard. Fortunately I never experienced things like mastitis but I did have some painful experiences. From bloody and cracked nipples to lactation consultant appointments and my sister vigorously taking down notes, breastfeeding was no easy feat. But today is about breastmilk so… we are going to focus on the resources and facts you need to know to make it hopefully longer than I did! YOU’VE GOT THIS!

Check out some moms’ stories on breastfeeding in this short video!

• Visit BreastmilkCounts.com for more information 
• For breastfeeding help, call 855-550-6667. It’s a 24-hour hotline, English and Spanish, and is ready for your call! 
• Call your WIC office to see a breastfeeding peer counselor and/or take a breastfeeding class for help (available for WIC clients).
• To locate a WIC clinic near you or to find out if you are eligible at TexasWIC.com/apply.
• Free lactation centers are available in Austin, Dallas, McAllen, San Antonio, and Houston. They’re available for all moms.

Whatever the concern or struggle, WIC is here to help.

Top reasons moms stops nursing and links to where moms can find help on BreastmilkCounts.com:

1. “I’m not making enough breastmilk for my baby.”
2. “It hurts when I try to breastfeed. My nipples are cracked and bleeding.”
3. “I don’t have any support.”
4. “My baby is hungry all the time.”
5. “I have to return to work and I don’t know if my office has a breastfeeding policy.”
6. “It’s also inconvenient and I’m not going to have time to pump and get my work done.”
7. “I can’t find the right position. What am I doing wrong?”
8. “I’m nervous about breastfeeding in public.”

Breastfeeding Benefits Baby and Mom 

• Breastmilk provides health benefits for baby and mom that last a lifetime.
• Breastfeeding is good for moms. It lowers mom’s risk of breast and ovarian cancer, heart disease, and diabetes. It also burns up to 600 calories a day!
• Breastmilk has hundreds more ingredients than formula that help baby grow and protect him from illness. Mom’s milk also changes over time to meet baby’s needs.
• Breastmilk makes your baby less likely to have digestive problems, such as
  gassiness, constipation, and colic.
• Breastfed babies are healthier and get sick less often.
• Breastmilk is human milk for human babies. It is custom-made by each mom.

The benefits of breastfeeding extend over time. Every ounce counts. Breastfeed your baby for as long as you can.

Breastfeeding in Public is Protected by the Law and is 100% okay.

• Be confident. Baby should eat whenever he gets hungry no matter where mom is.
• Breastfeeding is for anytime, anyplace. Although the idea of sharing these moments in public may cause anxiety, moms should know that it is their legal right to breastfeed anywhere they are allowed to be.
• Breastfeeding in public can be done with confidence—most moms are already nursing in public and going completely unnoticed.
• Visit BreastmilkCounts.com for more information.
• For breastfeeding help, call 855-550-6667.
• Visit our lactation directory for help near you.

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