Hey there, sweet Mamas—and all of you who love and support them!
It’s August—my favorite month—
not just because it’s summertime
or because I’m soaking up these final warm evenings,
but because August is International Breastfeeding Month.
The first week kicks off with World Breastfeeding Week,
and the whole month is a time for awareness, encouragement, and support for mothers around the globe who are nurturing life the way God designed.
If you're new here, welcome!
Catholic mom, Grandma, Lactation Consultant, and a Breastfeeding Coach.
I have been walking with mothers for decades.
This work is my calling.
I believe with all my heart that breastfeeding is more than a feeding method—it’s a sacred act that mirrors the love of our Creator.
Let me tell you why this month matters.
Breastfeeding: A Global and Holy Mission
Did you know World Breastfeeding Week began back in 1992?
It was inspired by a 1990 document called the Innocenti Declaration, which emphasized how vital breastfeeding is for public health around the world.
The World Health Organization (WHO) and UNICEF said loud and clear:
Breastfeeding is the answer to many of the world’s health problems.
And they meant it—every mom, every baby, everywhere.
From the United States to rural villages in Africa, to the islands of New Zealand, the benefits of breastfeeding are universal.
There’s no downside to breastfeeding—except that it takes a mother’s time.
And that, right there, is why support is so important. You can’t do this alone.
That’s why August matters.
It’s not just about raising awareness—it’s about building a culture that uplifts, equips, and walks with mothers as they learn the art of breastfeeding.
A Skill That Takes Time
Let’s be honest—just because something is natural doesn’t mean it’s easy.
Breastfeeding is a learned skill.
Like riding a bike, you don’t jump on and glide perfectly.
You wobble, fall, and get frustrated. But you keep going.
And just like that, one day—it clicks.
It’s the same with breastfeeding.
that’s why I’m so passionate about teaching, encouraging, and cheering on moms.
Every baby is different, and every session is unique.
It’s not failure—it’s learning.
You Are Not Alone
Mama Jane (my aunt and cohost) remembers when she had her first daughter back in 1987. She didn’t have a group of women around her who breastfed.
My mom, her older sister, had breastfed.
My aunt, her sister- in - law, had breastfed.
As a teenager, she had seen a mom breastfeed, but she didn’t know where to turn when things got hard.
She was living in Germany. She was in the Army. And nobody talked about breastfeeding.
That changed in 1995 when she joined La Leche League after her son was born. And it was like a light came on.
I had three boys by then. And our littlest boys were only months apart. We needed each other. We supported each other.
Breastfeeding together is the glue that bonds us in a way that natural family ties haven’t.
Fast forward to today—
I still see moms struggling. Still see them wondering, Am I doing this right? Why is this so hard? Am I failing?
Let me be the voice that says:
- You are not failing.
- You are becoming.
- You’re growing in grace, in confidence, and in your capacity to love like Christ.
The Power of Support
This month, we will talk a lot about support.
And support can look like a lot of things:
A friend who brings water and a snack while you nurse.
A church that provides a quiet space for mamas at events.
A lactation group downtown with rocking chairs and real conversations.
A FaceTime call with someone who can remind you, “You’re doing great, Mama.”
Support isn’t about doing it all—it’s about not doing it alone.
A Call to Community
If you're not a new mom right now, you still have a role to play.
This is the season for the midlife mamas, grandmas, aunties, and friends to step in.
Host a nursing-friendly church event.
Create a small hospitality station at your parish picnic.
Text your niece after her first baby and say, “I’m here if you need someone to talk to.”
You’d be amazed at what that can do.
Even if your own breastfeeding journey was hard—or didn’t go the way you hoped—helping the next generation can be a path to healing and redemption.
The Bigger Picture
Sometimes people ask, “Why does the whole world care about breastfeeding?”
Let me tell you:
It’s the original, sustainable food. No packaging, no waste.
It builds babies’ immune systems and reduces long-term health risks for mothers.
Just one year of breastfeeding reduces a mom’s risk for post-menopausal heart disease. (Yes, even decades later!)
Breastmilk changes with every feed to meet the baby’s needs. (That’s science. That’s divine design.)
But beyond all that, breastfeeding is a mirror of God’s love.
It’s sacrificial. It’s hidden. It’s constant.
Just like God’s care for us—He never stops thinking of us.
Breastfeeding and Mary
One of my favorite truths to reflect on in August is this:
Mary breastfed Jesus.
Let that sink in.
The Blessed Mother—the Mother of God—nursed her baby. That sacred bond, that vulnerable gift, that intimate rhythm—God entered into that.
So when you sit in the middle of the night, tired and wondering if this matters, I want you to hear me: It matters. It’s holy. It’s sanctifying.
For the Mama Who’s Trying
If you’re a mama in the thick of it—maybe with sore nipples, tired eyes, and a foggy brain—listen to me:
The doing is in the trying.
You’re not failing.
You’re learning.
You’re not lazy.
You’re becoming strong.
And if you’re feeling overwhelmed, uncertain, or just need someone to talk to… You don’t have to figure this out alone.
Journal Question
“How is God inviting me to give life and love in this season?”
Whether you’re nursing a newborn, supporting a friend, or cheering from the sidelines, God is using you.
Take 5 minutes today to write or pray through that question.
See what He reveals.
If you have breastfeeding questions, need encouragement, or want help getting started—I’m just a message away.
Reach out to me, Mama Vicki, for gentle, faith-filled support.
Whether you’re 3 days postpartum or 3 weeks into pumping—
I’ll walk with you.
Final Thought
As Catholic women, we are called to nurture life—in body and soul.
Breastfeeding is one of the most tangible, holy ways we do that. But it’s also one of the most exhausting.
So to every mother nursing in the middle of the night, hiding in the cry room at Mass, or wondering if this is all worth it:
God sees you.
I see you.
And you are doing something beautiful.
With all my love,
Mama Vicki
for you breastfeeding Mamas!