Women, families gather, run for breastfeeding support group

Families gather at confluence park to participate in the "Breast Run Ever" 5K run and walk to support breastfeeding mothers, St. George, Utah, Oct. 11, 2014 | Photo by Hollie Reina, St. George News

ST. GEORGE – Saturday, on a cool, crisp, sunny morning, women and families gathered at Confluence Park in St. George to participate in the first “Breast Run Ever” 5K fun run and walk designed to raise funds and awareness for Free2Feed, a local breastfeeding support group.

Families gather at confluence park to participate in the "Breast Run Ever" 5k run and walk to support breastfeeding mothers, St. George, Utah, Oct. 11, 2014 | Photo by Hollie Reina, St. George News
Families gather at confluence park to participate in the “Breast Run Ever” 5k run and walk to support breastfeeding mothers, St. George, Utah, Oct. 11, 2014 | Photo by Hollie Reina, St. George News

The group was founded a year and a half ago by Aditi Aromi who was looking for support in her personal breastfeeding story, Aromi said.

“I was looking for my own support in my breastfeeding journey,” Aromi said, “there was no support group here in town … so I thought why not start one.”

The group which started small – there were about six women in the beginning – has now helped more than 100 women with breastfeeding education and support, Aromi said.

Group member Brittney Callister has been with Free2Feed for a year and said that the group has really helped her to be comfortable breastfeeding in public. Though Callister said she still uses a cover, the group has really given her support and confidence in her choice to breastfeed.

In addition to breastfeeding support, the group also provides full mother and family support, holding mommy and me yoga classes, hiking and walking groups, nutrition and educational classes.

“We do a lot of fun stuff around breastfeeding,” Aromi said, “but we are beyond breastfeeding.”

The group recently teamed up with the St. George Police Department to talk about car seat safety and they have held classes on potty training, teething and many other parenting topics.

For Callister, the extra support has been really helpful, she said, and she has received information from how to choose the best diapers to chiropractic care.

“Breastfeeding is just a small portion of what the group does,” Callister said.

Brittney Callister and her little munchkin await the start of the "Breast Run Ever" 5K run and walk, St. George, Utah, Oct. 11, 2014 | Photo by Hollie Reina, St. George News
Brittney Callister and her little munchkin await the start of the “Breast Run Ever” 5K run and walk, St. George, Utah, Oct. 11, 2014 | Photo by Hollie Reina, St. George News

Free2Feed is an all inclusive group and they welcome anyone from newlyweds, pregnant women, experienced mothers, breastfeeders and bottle feeders, Aromi said, adding that you will not find any guilting or shaming for your feeding choices at Free2Feed.

The “Breast Run Ever” 5K was the first race the group has organized and about 37 registered runners and their families gathered at Confluence Park to run, walk and stroll all in an effort to support Free2Feed.

Funds from the registration fees will go to help the group file for nonprofit status which will enable them to garner even more support as well as organize support groups in other cities throughout the state, Aromi said.

“We hope to be in all the big cities in Utah,” Aromi said. “Eighty percent of failed breastfeeding is due to lack of support … so that is why we are doing it, for the support.”

Over $900 in prizes were handed out to participants in the race that organizers hope to make an annual event, Aromi said.

The next “Breast Run Ever” is scheduled for Oct. 17, 2015.

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Resources

  • For more information on Free2Feed visit their website

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Copyright St. George News, SaintGeorgeUtah.com LLC, 2014, all rights reserved.

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1 Comment

  • Koolaid October 20, 2014 at 9:27 pm

    Wow! In Nevada, you have the Burning Man event. In St George, you have the Running Breasts event, but remember, “We do a lot of fun stuff around breastfeeding.”

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