New Mom Pumped Breastmilk During Half-Marathon

A half marathon-running mom is getting praise after posting a photo of herself pumping breast milk during a race.

After competing in the REVEL Big Cottonwood Half Marathon in Salt Lake City, Anna Young, who gave birth to a baby girl five months ago, posted the photo on Sunday to the Facebook page of Occupy Breastfeeding, a group that aims to eliminate negativity surrounding breastfeeding. The photo has been liked over 9,000 times, and shared by 1,000 other people.

“I nursed my daughter before I left my house, pumped after running the first 8 miles and nursed her after I made it past the finish line,” Young wrote in the post. “This group and Le leche league motivated me to find a way to run my race and take care of my daughter.”

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Young, an avid runner, told Babble that she signed up for the race before she found out was pregnant, but decided to run it after giving birth, training while pushing her daughter in a stroller. But she said that she was worried about how she’d pump during the race, especially considering that she’s experienced some breastfeeding challenges, including plugged ducts and mastitis, an infection of breast tissue.

“I was nervous about figuring out how to run and nurse or pump,” Young told Babble. “I remember reading about one of my former teammates who competed in a triathlon and she did something similar. I originally planned on sitting at one of the aid stations or on the side of the course, but I was so excited about how well I was running I decided to walk and pump at the same time.”

“I hope I’ve helped encourage other mothers that we really can accomplish just about anything while we care for our children,” she added.

[Babble]