La Leche League celebrates breastfeeding

MICHAEL COONS/The Acorn PIGGYBACK-Sylvia Kloian enjoys the ride on the back of her father, Alex, during the La Leche League breastfeeding walk in Oak Canyon Park in Oak Park on Sunday. Several men joined their wives and children for the afternoon to promote breastfeeding.

Families labored in the intense heat last Sunday afternoon while participating in the La Leche League International World Walk for breastfeeding at Oak Park’s Oak Canyon Community Park. Members from the combined Agoura Hills and Thousand Oaks chapters gathered after the one-mile hike for a potluck dinner, silent auction and games.

Water and refreshments cooled the returning walkers who were then greeted by an array of meals prepared for the potluck. The entrees conformed to La Leche League’s philosophy which promotes a diet of various natural foods. Fresh fruit rather than boxed brownies was the dessert for the day. Dishes such as lentil rice and sweet potato burritos were also part of the healthy feast.

Jennifer Lebowitz, coordinator of the walk, explained that the La Leche League philosophy also encourages women to give birth with little or no medication to increase the likelihood of success in breastfeeding. "A mother who has had an epidermal while giving birth is more likely to have a sleepy baby who is uninterested in nursing," said Lebowitz.

While most physicians encourage breastfeeding, in general they’re not as accessible as a La Leche League member for a mother who experiences difficulties in nursing. Diedre Wachbrit struggled for 12 weeks after the birth of her twins.

A La Leche League group leader was there for her, coaching her to success. "That is why I became a leader," said Wachbrit. " I now lead a group and am available by phone to assist moms who are struggling."

Wachbrit, a will and trust attorney in Thousand Oaks, donated her services for one of the World Walk silent auction items. Other donations included a certified nurse mid-wife, a massage therapist and a cook who will fix dinner in the winner’s home. Among many items up for auction were baby carriers, T-shirts for nursing moms and 30 days free at Gymboree.

This is the second year that Agoura Hills participated in the walk after joining with T.O. in July 2001."We try to hold this event in either August or September every year because August is National Breastfeeding Month." said Paige Loter, a member who first heard about La Leche League while pregnant with her first baby, now 16 months old.

Through the silent auction and contributions from various sponsors, the local chapters raised $800 at Sunday’s event.

To learn more La Leche League, visit the Website at www.friendlyvillage.com/lllagourahills.