Aug. 06--It was never a question in Nadia Baez's mind, breast-feeding is natural and the best food for her new born baby.
The only problem was breast-feeding wasn't so natural.
"I thought the baby would know how to naturally latch on to my breast and he didn't," Baez said. "I was nervous and I didn't have any experience."
Her baby not latching was only one problem. Baez said her nipples were sore, cracked and hurt because she didn't know what she was doing.
"I was discouraged but I didn't want to give up because I had learned breast milk was best for the baby," Baez said.
At the time Baez was living in another county and got help through the local health department.
Now with her third child, 2-month-old Anaya, Baez calls on Beverly Denton, a Women Infants and Children's peer counselor at the Wilson County Health Department.
Denton heads the breast-feeding Loving Support Program.
The Loving Support Program is sponsoring a breast-feeding wellness fair Saturday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Wilson Mall in honor of World Breast-feeding Day.
Denton said there will be activities for the whole family and vendors will be present to show families what is available to them.
There will also be activities, like The Baby Olympics, featuring the fastest diaper changing for 0-to-6 -month olds, crawling for 7-to-12-month olds, the shot put for 13-to-18-month olds, the disc throw for 19-to-24-month olds and the long jump for 25-to-36-month olds.
In addition to the fun, Denton said there will be lots of information for mothers.
"Our goal is to make the community aware of the many services and organizations that are available to Wilson County families," Denton said.
Denton said she also wants to make sure mothers get accurate information.
Although there are more benefits for the baby and mother when a mom chooses to breast-feed, many times mothers get misinformation that prevents them from even trying, Denton said.
"Moms are told breast-feeding really hurts, and they hear you won't know if your baby has enough to eat or not and you could be starving your baby," Denton said. "Really, what moms need is a coach to come by and help them. Many times moms are doing what is right, they just need someone to encourage them."
Denton said she is able to assist any mother in Wilson County.
"I take calls from mothers and I make house visits where I can sit with a mom and see what is happening," Denton said.
Nikki Turnage's daughter, Caroline, is 1-month-old. Turnage she said she was afraid her baby wasn't getting enough to eat her first week out of the hospital so she called Denton.
"Beverly came to my house to see what I was doing and my milk came in that day while she was there," Turnage said. "It was so good for her to be right there with me to explain everything to me."
As a result, Turnage said she enjoys breast-feeding her daughter.
"It is amazingly awesome," Turnage said. "I would have been disappointed if it didn't work out. I think it has helped me to bond with her (Caroline)."
Denton said she hopes mothers will consider all of the benefits of breast-feeding and call for support when they need help.
janet@wilsontimes.com -- 265-7847
-----
To see more of The Wilson Daily Times or to subscribe to the newspaper, go to http://www.wilsondaily.com/.
Copyright (c) 2010, The Wilson Daily Times, N.C.
Distributed by McClatchy-Tribune Information Services.
For more information about the content services offered by McClatchy-Tribune Information Services (MCT), visit www.mctinfoservices.com, e-mail services@mctinfoservices.com, or call 866-280-5210 (outside the United States, call +1 312-222-4544).