My name is Kimberly Moore-Salas, I am Diné asdzáán born for Naakai diné and born to Tsi'naajinii. I was born in Tuba City and reside in O'odham and Pee-Posh territory known as Phoenix, Arizona. I am a mother of three beautiful daughters of whom I breastfed for over two years each, one stepdaughter and a wife of 24 years to my husband.
My work is to help, support, and provide information for families to give the traditional first foods and practices gifted from our ancestors, breast milk/breastfeeding/chestfeeding. In colonized terms, I am a certified lactation consultant, IBCLC. I have been doing this work for over ten years and nine of those years I worked as a hospital lactation consultant in Phoenix Arizona at Valleywise Health. I also do community home visits for Navajo Nation Breastfeeding Coalition and lactation support prenatal and postpartum for Changing Woman initiative. Currently, I do grassroots work and co-instructor the Indigenous Breastfeeding Counselor course providing cultural Indigenous breastfeeding education to tribal communities throughout Indian country. I recently completed the Zaagi’diwin Indigenous Full Spectrum Doula program from our dear Canadian Indigenous sisters.
Every month I host a Breastfeeding/Chestfeeding Circle for prenatal families for Changing Woman Initiative. This is open to their clients and community to support any questions or concerns in preparation of breastfeeding/chestfeeding after delivery. The circles shared by the local community has been open conversations about what happens to your body when you are pregnant in preparing to breastfeed/chestfeed your baby, questions about your milk production and how does this happen, past challenges, will you make enough, first-time mom nerves when it comes to breastfeeding/chestfeeding, returning to work, possible problems and prevention and traditional teachings. This is to provide a safe space among other indigenous mothers and families to feel comfortable, supported and to learn from one another. I do welcome any postpartum support after delivery if there are any questions or concerns for lactation support.
