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Kris Kiley
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Kris Kiley has run the Williamsburg breastfeeding group since 1992 and has positively helped many women in the Williamsburg area. She’s the “go-to” person for any post-partum issues and facilitates a group that helps new moms get on their feet. For the past 26 years, she’s helped new moms bond with their babies, and bond with each other—forming a network of women who are connected.
“Kris Kiley is the reason Williamsburg breastfeeds,” said April Willcox, one of Kiley’s coworkers who is a nurse and also a certified lactation consultant. “She’s so helpful and patient and she’s been doing this for years so she’s seen everything.”
On Mondays, Wednesdays and Thursdays, Kris makes the rounds in a conference room at Sentara Williamsburg Regional Medical Center, checking in on new moms. They’ve brought their tiny infants, some just days old, to be weighed and to feed them with Kris nearby to help if they are having an issue.
“Try this,” she said, as she adjusted the baby’s head just a centimeter. “Here’s what you need to do, feed the baby every two hours during the day so that he can sleep more at night.”
To another mom with a four week old baby, she said: “Milk production is easier in the morning because of hormones, try pumping first thing.”
She even troubleshoots breast pumps, which not only have mechanical components, but need to have the right fit to work well. “This pump seems to have an air leak, let’s see if we can find you some tubing to test it with.”
But most of all, Kris tells new moms the most important thing they need to hear: “You’re doing great.” Her soothing, calm voice is reassuring.
Rochelle Hamilton had her first child six years ago, and the Breastfeeding group was important for her. “I love Kris. She’s literally a saint. It’s evident she loves it, truly helps people. It’s beyond breastfeeding, it’s a service for new mothers. I’m not sure I can adequately explain what a loving person she is,” Hamilton, 35, said.
Kris gives advice on all kinds of new mother issues, and she gives out her cell phone number and encourages the moms to call her even in the evenings or on weekends.
“It’s almost a calling. I like to be here for people. We can work it out together. Breastfeeding doesn’t look the same for everyone,” Kiley said.
New moms today have much higher expectations, and think there’s one right way. But that creates a lot of pressure and the idea that if you don’t get the “right way” that you’ve failed.
Kiley reminds new moms that “this is a personal process, and you just need to do the basics and not let yourself get worn out”—and cautions against the ideas perpetuated by social media that other people are doing it better than you are.
Olivia Bada said that she went to the breastfeeding group 11 years ago and connecting with other women made a big difference for her.
“It is a time of change and opening yourself up to new friendships and groups that are in your new stage in life can be really helpful. The women I met there are still among my closest friends, and one of them, Kristy Maynor is my partner at WilliamsburgFamilies.com,” she said.
“Sometimes the weeks after birth, women are shell-shocked because they can’t think their way through it. What they need is practical advice and support.”
Kiley describes the group she started in 1992, as “my own soapbox” but she is pleased to see much higher rates of breastfeeding today.
The group also talks about postpartum depression, which often looks like anxiety. “I love the fact that things have come so far and people are more open about it.” She recommends Child Development Resources for all kinds of services. It now also offers a breastfeeding group and Kiley encourages mom to go to whichever is more convenient for them, or to both. “They’re there for you and so are we.”
Advice from Kris
• Trust your instincts.
• Keep your eye on the big picture.
• Ask for help when you need it.
• Enjoy your baby!
Natalie and her three sons have had the benefits of Kris’ wisdom. Rumor has it a few babies in Williamsburg are named Kiley after her.
Breastfeeding support groups • cdr.org/services/breastfeeding-support
Sentara Williamsburg Regional Medical Center • sentara.com/hampton-roads-virginia/hospitalslocations/locations/sentara-williamsburg-regional-medical-center.aspx
(Breastfeeding support group at Sentara Williamsburg is Monday, Wednesday, Thursday from 10am until 11:30am)