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October is also Breast Cancer Awareness month. Many Mothers honors the fighters and survivors of breast cancer, and lovingly remembers those who we lost. We want to take the opportunity this month to highlight that one of the many benefits of breastfeeding is that it reduces the risk of breast cancer. Decades of research and numerous studies confirm that the longer you breastfeed, the greater your protection can be, and that breastfeeding for longer than 12 months can decrease your risk by 26%. The protection is provided by multiple factors, including the hormonal shift that happens during breastfeeding, changes in breast tissue during lactation, and the development of immune-protecting properties in breast milk. Lifestyle factors as well as genetics also…

For caregivers, there is nothing more important than keeping their babies safe. October marks Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) Awareness Month, and this vital campaign is one that Many Mothers holds close to our hearts. This key time was created to share life-saving education that will support you and your babies. SIDS is the heartbreaking, sudden, and unexpected death of a baby under 1 year old that generally occurs during sleep and has no identifiable cause. While SIDS cannot always be prevented, there are proven ways to reduce the risk—and it starts with safe sleep practices. To reduce the risk of SIDS, the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends the following: • Always place babies on their backs to sleep –…

Source: HumanKind.News A Soft Place to Land: How Many Mothers Is Building a Community of Care for New Families. For over three decades, this New Mexico organization has provided the essential support every perinatal family deserves, from diapers to deep human connection. The arrival of a new baby is often portrayed as a time of pure joy. But for many caregivers, it can also be a period of exhaustion, isolation, and overwhelming pressure. It was this gap between expectation and reality that inspired Anne McCormick to found Many Mothers more than thirty years ago. Believing that every parent of a newborn deserves support, McCormick developed “Muchas Mamas,” a volunteer-based program that provided free, hands-on help to families. It was likely…

Many Mothers is proud to support and promote World Breastfeeding Week. The physical and emotional health benefits of breastfeeding for both moms and babies are powerful for advancing local, regional, and worldwide health, and all mothers deserve support and encouragement to achieve their breastfeeding goals. Research from around the world has shown that breastmilk is the perfect, natural food for babies, and with rare exceptions, all birthing mothers are able to breastfeed their infants. To learn more about the amazing benefits of breastfeeding, visit La Leche League, Office on Women’s Health, and the CDC. *Many Mothers recognizes that breastfeeding and the circumstances around it are very unique and personal. While we encourage and support breastfeeding, we respect any feeding choice. Many Mothers se enorgullece…

It’s no secret that fathers play an integral role in children’s lives as well as in the lives of their partners. This past Sunday, we celebrated Father’s Day, honoring all the men who have taken on the role of “dad.” However, like motherhood, Many Mothers know it’s not always easy, and that fatherhood comes with its own unique set of challenges. June is also Men’s Mental Health Awareness month, and studies have shown that Perinatal Mood and Anxiety Disorders (PMADs) also impact men. Did you know 1 in 10 new fathers suffer from postpartum depression? Their depressive symptoms spike between 3-6 months postpartum and can be expressed with the increase of substance use; they are more likely to be irritable,…

Thank you, Blue Cross and Blue Shield of New Mexico, MolinaCares, and Con Alma Foundation, for investing in maternal mental health!

Esperamos contar con su participación en esta sesión donde podremos compartir experiencias, brindar apoyo mutuo y aprender juntas sobre la maravillosa aventura de la maternidad. Niños son bienvenidos. Fecha: Todos los Miercoles Hora: 5pm-6pm Lugar: The Family Center (4001 Office Ct Dr Suite 207, Santa Fe, NM 87507)

Join Sofia (mom of a 3-year-old and newborn) to come build your village here in Santa Fe by making friends, finding resources, and letting the kids play. Come ready to vent, laugh, and sometimes cry as we discuss the ins and outs of parenthood. Weekly topics might include nutrition, wellness, internet trends for kids, partnership after kids, and so much more! The Village meets every Thursday, 10AM – 11AM at The Many Mothers’ Family Center (4001 Office Court Drive, Suite 207, Santa Fe, NM 87507)

Helping New Mothers at Home April 29, 2024 Keely McDonald and her partner moved to Santa Fe from Rhode Island in August to help take care of her mother. New to the area and six months pregnant, the couple didn’t know anyone, and McDonald was desperate to find community. She searched online and talked with locals — many were recommending the same organization. “I kept hearing Many Mothers, Many Mothers,” she says. McDonald attended a free support group for expecting mothers and caregivers run by the organization, and shortly after reached out and enrolled in their Maternal Support Home Visiting Program. “I felt lonely as a first-time mom without family around,” she says. “I was looking for someone experienced who…

“Being a parent is one of the most difficult jobs in the world. At times, parents need additional help. This is where Many Mothers helps fill a void. The Santa Fe-based organization pairs volunteers with moms who need a hand with their infants. “Each mother’s journey is unique and personal, which means that the issues one mother faces will be different than another mother,” said Kai Forsley, Many Mothers executive director. “The beauty of Many Mothers is that we have staff that can work with mothers, caregivers and families to individually assess the goal of each family during the perinatal stage.” When the pandemic began to shut down the world, Many Mothers and its volunteers were determined to make sure…

“Every newborn baby enters the world in the most vulnerable, tender condition. Access to quality prenatal and postnatal care is vital to a mother’s and baby’s health and quality of life. Unfortunately, in New Mexico, too many expecting and new mothers experience maternal and child health complications that can easily be avoided with routine care. Often, the primary contributing factor is the lack of access to health insurance coverage. According to a March of Dimes report, New Mexico has one of the highest uninsured rates of childbearing-age women in the United States. New Mexico faces an unusually higher maternal mortality rate, with a disproportionately greater rate among the Native American population — approximately 20%, despite composing only 11% of the…

“With the move, Many Mothers is evolving from an almost entirely in-home service to also having a gathering place for mothers. “Many Mothers only had about 500 square feet in the old location and now boasts about 2,500 square feet,” Executive Director Kai Forsley said. “This is the next chapter, coming out with a public meeting space for parents working with each other, making connections,” Forsley said.” We are thankful to the Santa Fe New Mexican for this wonderful feature! You can read the full article here.

New Mexico women and children have faced historical challenges around accessing care during pregnancy, childbirth, and the postnatal period. These challenges have been heightened due to the COVID-19 pandemic. This summer, Marissa Visscher, our Program Manager, joined MolinaCares and statewide experts to discuss these challenges, as well as solutions and best practices to improve the number of healthy births and babies in New Mexico. View the virtual panel here.

When the pandemic forced schools and childcare centers to shut down, more than five million American mothers gave up their jobs. Currently, The New York Times reports that 1.3 million of these women are still out of work. As a result, the leaders of more than 200 small, medium and large companies have formed the Care Economy Business Council, which is urging sweeping reforms in the caregiving infrastructure so more mothers can return to work. Listen to the full report HERE

SANTA FE, N.M. (KRQE) – A New Mexico man is now six days into a 1,500 mile bike trip. It’s all for a good cause in order to raise money in honor of his late wife. “I’m sure my beloved joy will be looking down and saying thank you,” said Reverend Duncan Lanum. While 77 year old Reverend Lanum typically spends his Sunday mornings preaching to his congregation at St. Thomas Apostle Anglican Church in Santa Fe. For the next month, Reverend Lanum will be spending his time biking almost 1,500 miles across five states all to raise awareness for the organization, “Many Mothers.” His late wife Joy volunteered at the non-profit for nearly 16 years. In her honor, he’s…