Scholar Stories: Melody Lopez

I’ve learned that things have not really changed for people like myself - black women in the inner city: An Interview With Melody Lopez, Peer Counselor

By Dominique Graham

Melody Lopez is a Peer Counselor for our Mattapan Hugs and Playgroup. A peer counselor is a volunteer trained to help mothers on their breastfeeding journey.

She got involved with the Boston Breastfeeding Coalition, because during her nursing journey she did not have the support she needed.

“When I started nursing, things were very difficult, because I really did not have any support or any real information on what I was doing - methods, techniques and what I should be expecting… and I’ve learned that things have not really changed for people like myself - Black women in the inner city.”

Melody mentions the “under-reported” and “underrepresented” benefits of breastfeeding such as her children’s strong immune systems, concentration levels, mannerisms, demeanor and more.

Although Melody nursed all five of her children for an average of two years, it was not easy. Melody shares her lived experience by talking about the difficulties she had nursing her third child,

“It was so painful and I was told to just ‘power through it.’ Now I know that that’s not normal and something was wrong. It could have been a frenulum, lip tie, tongue tie, it could have been an improper latch there are a multitude of things that it could have been and no one told me this. Fortunately I powered through it, but a lot of sisters do not. They feel like it hurts and then they just quit, because it’s too much for them and they should know there is support out here for them and someone who can identify the issue and help them to correct it.”

Melody is grateful to Vital Village and the ROSE (Reaching Our Sisters Everywhere) training for “arming [her] with the information to help other people.”
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If you are interested in learning more about Melody, you can watch her full interview here.

Are you a pregnant mother or recently had a baby and want to join the Mattapan Hugs and Play Group?

MONDAYS
Mattapan Family and Community Engagement
Hugs and Play Group
Mattapan Library
1350 Blue Hill Avenue, Mattapan​
10:30am - 12:30pm
Jenny Weaver RN, IBCLC
Vickey Siggers
(617) 980-0970
Haitian Creole & French speaking

Is Mattapan not convenient? Check out the Boston Breastfeeding Coalition’s calendar to find a support group or baby cafe near you

About the Author:
Dominique is a Boston resident, breastfeeding supporter and blogger behind DommiesBlessed.