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 Photo by: Aurimas Mikalauskas |
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Dedicated to promoting and supporting child-led breastfeeding in San Luis Obispo County.
Welcome to
The Child-Led Breastfeeding Project
WHAT IS CHILD-LED BREASTFEEDING?
For the purposes of this project, child-led breastfeeding refers to the decision to breastfeed for as long as both the mother and child mutually enjoy. Because this is usually possible with children over the age of two who are able to understand and communicate more effectively, this project uses the term child-led breastfeeding in place of the term "extended breastfeeding" (which we felt implied that breastfeeding should have a predetermined weaning age). Furthermore, although some may argue that child-led breastfeeding does not include substituting, limiting, or encouraging the weaning process in any way, we believe that providing help and encouragement in developmentally appropriate steps allows for the best transition out of the breastfeeding relationship.
There are many physical, cognitive, and social-emotional advantages associated with breastfeeding. Furthermore, research is finding a likelihood that prolonging the breastfeeding relationship offers even more benefits for both children and mothers than previously thought. Unfortunately, there are also many challenges a mother might face in her decision to continue breastfeeding, and it is important for mothers who want to continue breastfeeding to have access to proper support. With the research indicating that comprehensive and continuous support is most beneficial to mothers, we designed this senior project to share the importance of both breastfeeding and breastfeeding support with as many members in the San Luis Obispo community as possible.
WHY IS IT IMPORTANT?
Kylie
As a senior at Cal Poly San Luis Obispo in the Department of Child Development & Psychology, and as a currently breastfeeding mother to her two year old son, Kylie is both passionate about breastfeeding and excited to have the opportunity to give back to this community that has always supported her.
Deana
As a senior at Cal Poly San Luis Obispo in the Department of Child Development & Psychology, and as a former intern at French Hospital Breastfeeding Clinic, Deana has a passion for supporting the well-being of children and a fascination with the beauty of breastfeeding.
As part of our California Polytechnic State University Senior Project, we created this website to serve as a community resource to educate, support, and normalize child-led breastfeeding.
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