Community Breastfeeding Celebration held at Beale Memorial Library
New and expecting mothers were given the chance to access pregnancy-related resources at the Beale Memorial Library in Downtown Bakersfield.
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00:00 In other news, new and expecting moms were given the chance to access pregnancy-related resources over the weekend.
00:06 23 ABC's Ruby Rivera tells us how it all began.
00:10 The Memorial Library usually hosts a lactation program every Tuesday at 1130 to better prepare new mothers.
00:16 They are realizing that many people in the community don't realize how many resources they have access to.
00:21 And with this being the second annual community breastfeeding event, organizers say they couldn't have asked for a better turnaround.
00:27 It's so full, there's so many parents here, new and expecting, and just parents all around.
00:32 And it's exciting because they've got all these resources here that they are not normally used to seeing in one place.
00:39 Marketing and Promotions Associate for Kern County Library Farah Daradia says she credits this to the increase in services for the public.
00:47 Daradia says last year's event was primarily focused on breastfeeding services.
00:50 However, this year brought in WIC services, religious services, and even doulas for families interested in alternative birthing options.
00:57 Lori Branson is a local certified birth and postpartum doula who wants to bring more awareness about the option of using a doula.
01:04 Branson says not many people know that her services are an option for expecting mothers, along with the benefits that it can bring.
01:10 If you hire a doula, you're less likely to need a C-section, you're less likely to be reliant on any pain medication,
01:17 and you're more likely to have a relaxed and healthier delivery.
01:20 Regardless of having an at-home birth or a hospital birth, Branson says a doula's job is to simply provide more natural solutions to support the mother during the birthing process.
01:29 We're here to help you with your home delivery or your hospital delivery, so that you don't have to feel alone,
01:34 and you don't have to feel like you're empowered enough to have your baby wherever you want to have that baby.
01:41 Daradia says having the event at the library was essentially a no-brainer,
01:44 as it not only allows for families to be connected with these resources, but they can also pick up books on the way out.
01:50 Daradia says an early introduction to literacy for your child is key for their development,
01:54 and is happy knowing that the library can provide this knowledge to the public.
01:58 It's nice to see everybody coming in and taking advantage of the resources that we have today.
02:03 Event organizers say while they wouldn't necessarily want to change anything about this event next year,
02:08 they would like to see more booths and partner with local hospitals to provide more resources.
02:13 In Bakersfield, Rubi Rivera, 23 ABC News, connecting you.
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