Tell me about yourself?  I am the Breastfeeding Coordinator (BFC) at Three Affiliated Tribes (TAT) WIC. I have worked here for over three years. I started as a Breastfeeding Peer Counselor (BFPC) at a time when WIC lost most of their employees, and I really had to step up and learn all jobs. I got the position as BFC because the WIC Director had noticed that I had taken on so much responsibility.  As BFC I started the TAT BFPC Program because no one had been there long enough to keep it up and running.  I work with a BFPC, Sabrina McIntosh, who is a doula and an aspiring midwife.

What made you decide to work for the Women, Infants, and Children Program? I enrolled in WIC late in my pregnancy with my daughter, and I really liked the atmosphere of WIC. I applied to be a BFPC three times before I got the job! I kept coming to the office to check on my application to make myself known.  I like counseling, and I wanted to go into psychology after high school because I like helping people and sharing the knowledge I have.  My career goals are to serve the community and people. Working at WIC gives me the opportunity for training and learning on breastfeeding and counseling.

What influenced your decision to breastfeed Ali Jo? I had never seen anyone in my family breastfeed except for my sister, and she only breastfed because she had to since her son had a cleft lip.  She only breastfed for six months. When I was at school in New Town, I had a friend who breastfed for over two years, and I saw all the benefits of breastfeeding. I have always gone “against the grain” and researched topics.  I saw how expensive formula was and how breastfeeding is free and the best for baby, so I wanted to go that route.

Are there cultural factors that TAT women face when making the choice what to feed their babies? People are starting to go back to traditional ways because it is natural and in traditional times if there were problems with breastfeeding, women had a trusted wet nurse like a relative or close friend to feed the baby. In my family, my parents' generation is when formula was introduced, and the baby did not have to rely on the mother; anyone could feed the baby. My mom did not breastfeed any of her children. All my friends and older siblings formula feed their children. I have always known formula feeding.  Breastfeeding was not an option. Breastfeeding is not seen as a personal choice. If my sister had a choice, she would have chosen formula.

Has the infant formula shortage affected TAT clients' choices in whether or not to breastfeed? I have actually seen an increase in women choosing to formula feed which is odd, and I am not sure why. I have been surprised at why they are choosing formula. I am baffled by it. It may have to do with lack of family support. Some have tried to breastfeed and have failed and chosen formula. I have tried to counsel them through it, but some are still choosing formula. I am going to do a survey to find out why. My partner does feel a little out of the loop because I am so close with my daughter because I breastfed her for so long. He mentioned formula feeding with our son. I explained to him the benefits of breastfeeding and the problems with the current formula shortages, and there is no reason to formula feed because I can feed my baby. He agreed to continue another breastfeeding journey so that we can always have that food security with our new baby. 

What activities do you have planned for World Breastfeeding Week? The entire month of August we celebrate breastfeeding! At TAT we do an annual breastfeeding walk and ask the local businesses to donate door prizes. We give free promotional t-shirts for all participants and provide education to all in the community on breastfeeding. I would really like in the future to have an airconditioned trailer or RV to take to powwows in summers for moms to have a place to breastfeed, but we do not have the funding yet.