28-05-2025
Triad nonprofit empowers breastfeeding mothers
PIEDMONT TRIAD, N.C. (WGHP) — About 83% of new moms choose to breastfeed, but numbers from the CDC show only about 24% are still breastfeeding six months later, and it's not always by choice. There's an organization in the Piedmont Triad that's trying to give moms more power in making the breastfeeding decision, and it's with the help of a community foundation.
'I get calls all the time from people needing lactation consults, and one of the initial questions that I have to ask is who their insurance provider is, and it is heartbreaking when people call and they don't have health insurance, and they can't afford the visit.' That's part of the reason why Dr. Lisa Miller founded Empowering Breastfeeding, Inc.
The nonprofit provides free breastfeeding support to mothers in Davidson, Randolph, and Guilford Counties as well as parts of Forsyth County. Her mission is to remove obstacles for any woman who wants to continue breastfeeding, especially money.
'Lactation consultations can be expensive and insurance, private insurance, pays for lactation consults for about six visits, but Medicaid does not,' says Miller. 'So, we received grant funding from the High Point Community Foundation to provide these same visits to people who have Medicaid or don't have private, commercial health insurance.'
Kayla Vining is one of those mothers. She has four children. The first was born in 2016 before the birth of Empower Breastfeeding, Inc. Despite her experience, she turned to the nonprofit for guidance with her last three babies, including her youngest daughter, Nora, born in late 2024.
Vining says, 'Even as a second-time mom, breastfeeding is still, every child is different, every breastfeeding journey is different for each child, and so going through this program, no matter what kind of issues that you're having, it's there really just to help you get through any issues that you're having whether you feel like you aren't making enough milk, or you feel like you're engorged, or maybe the baby isn't latching well, the lactation consultant is there to help you address any of those concerns.'
Vining joins other mothers at a meeting of the Baby Cafe. It's a free resource where moms can come together for guidance and much-needed reassurance. 'There's a lactation consultant on hand, and she can help you with any breastfeeding issues you may have, and there's other breastfeeding moms there so you get to connect with other breastfeeding women that may be going through the same issues that you are having, or maybe you're not having an issue and just want to connect with other breastfeeding moms, and so, it's such an awesome place to go to speak with that lactation consultant if you're having issues but then to connect with other breastfeeding moms in the Triad as well.'
At the Baby Cafe, moms not only get support, but babies are checked and weighed to make sure they're getting enough milk. The lactation consultant can also make home visits. It's an important way to make breastfeeding moms feel at ease, regardless of how many babies they've delivered. Vining says, 'So the first baby is always the hardest to breastfeed, but we see new and returning mothers.'
The office for Empower Breastfeeding, Inc. is on Salem Street in Thomasville. There are three different Baby Cafes – one in Thomasville, one in High Point and one in Greensboro. You can find more information on the website.
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