Six days ago Kimberley "Kim" Gaucher posted a video to her Instagram page with a plea to help her in the wake of "being forced to decide between being a breastfeeding mom and olympic athlete" because she "cannot have them both."

Along with others I'm truly baffled and saddened by the news of this story. Expecting a mother to pump enough breastmilk to last for 28 days of separation from her baby is a minimum of 700 ounces. Not including still having to simultaneously feed her baby each day.

How long will women continue to be punished for wanting to have a career while mothering? Denying this mother the innate right to continue breastfeeding her baby while competing in the Tokyo Olympics in the name of COVID-19 is beyond inhumane.

In 2021, this still so much work to be done to move women's rights forward. Luckily I'm up for the challenge.

Help me to help Kimberley and sign this petition in her honor which will be sent to the International Olympic Committee and organizers for further consideration.

Full article and video here:
https://www.citynews1130.com/2021/06/24/bc-mom-olympics-tokyo-breastfeeding/

Thanks! 

Mercedes Thomas, MSN, APRN, CPNP, IBCLC