Amanda Reyes chose to breastfeed her children despite the stigma her family associated with it.

Reyes, a Filipina American and Porter Ranch resident, received disdain from her mother because in the Philippines, only low income mothers breastfeed their children. It was a matter of status.

To-wen Tseng, 39, with her son, Jasper, 1, is the coordinator behind the Asian Breastfeeding Task Force of Los Angeles County’s photo exhibit showcasing mothers of Asian descent breastfeeding their babies, at the Live Oak Park Community Center in Temple City, Calif., on Saturday, Aug. 3, 2019. The photographs, which are also shown at Los Angeles City Hall, are meant to help normalize breastfeeding in the Asian American community. (Photo by Trevor Stamp, Contributing Photographer)

Wendy Fung, right, 35, stands next to a photo of her breastfeeding her baby during the opening of an exhibit by the Asian Breastfeeding Task Force of Los Angeles County showcasing mothers of Asian descent with their babies, at the Live Oak Park Community Center in Temple City, Calif., on Saturday, Aug. 3, 2019. The photographs, which are also shown at Los Angeles City Hall, are meant to help normalize breastfeeding in the Asian American community. (Photo by Trevor Stamp, Contributing Photographer)

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The Asian Breastfeeding Task Force of Los Angeles County is hosting a photo exhibit showcasing mothers of Asian descent breastfeeding their babies, at the Live Oak Park Community Center in Temple City, Calif., on Saturday, Aug. 3, 2019. The photographs, which are also shown at Los Angeles City Hall, are meant to help normalize breastfeeding in the Asian American community. (Photo by Trevor Stamp, Contributing Photographer)

The Asian Breastfeeding Task Force of Los Angeles County is hosting a photo exhibit showcasing mothers of Asian descent breastfeeding their babies, at the Live Oak Park Community Center in Temple City, Calif., on Saturday, Aug. 3, 2019. The photographs, which are also shown at Los Angeles City Hall, are meant to help normalize breastfeeding in the Asian American community. (Photo by Trevor Stamp, Contributing Photographer)

The Asian Breastfeeding Task Force of Los Angeles County is hosting a photo exhibit showcasing mothers of Asian descent breastfeeding their babies, at the Live Oak Park Community Center in Temple City, Calif., on Saturday, Aug. 3, 2019. The photographs, which are also shown at Los Angeles City Hall, are meant to help normalize breastfeeding in the Asian American community. (Photo by Trevor Stamp, Contributing Photographer)



The Asian Breastfeeding Task Force of Los Angeles County is hosting a photo exhibit showcasing mothers of Asian descent breastfeeding their babies, at the Live Oak Park Community Center in Temple City, Calif., on Saturday, Aug. 3, 2019. The photographs, which are also shown at Los Angeles City Hall, are meant to help normalize breastfeeding in the Asian American community. (Photo by Trevor Stamp, Contributing Photographer)

Mothers with money were expected to buy formula, but Reyes said in a phone interview, she felt compelled to breastfeed her two children who both were born premature.

“Both my sons are built so tough, and I think it’s because of the breast milk,” she said.

She was not, however, always this confident about breastfeeding.

Upon her now-6-year-old son’s birth, she didn’t know how to produce milk and felt discouraged because she didn’t have the support, Reyes said. Unsure of where to turn, Reyes joined several Facebook groups and later found the Asian Breastfeeding Task Force of Los Angeles.

Now, she has teamed up with 16 other mothers as models for a photo exhibit curated by the Asian Breastfeeding Task Force in Downtown L.A. and Temple City, which opened Wednesday, July 31 and Saturday, Aug. 3, respectively.

As a part of National Breastfeeding Month, the exhibit will be up for one month and aims to normalize breastfeeding among Asian families by illustrating its beauty, coordinator To-wen Tseng said in a phone interview.

Los Angeles Arts District resident Iren Siosan, another Filipina mother who participated in the exhibit, also felt family pressure against the practice but ultimately chose to breastfeed her children because there are fewer risks to premature, breastfed babies’ health, she said in a phone interview.

The social stigma, coupled with lack of resources, have hindered Asian mother’s ability to successfully breastfeed, Tseng, a San Diego resident, said.

According to the Asian Breastfeeding Task Force, nearly 50% of Asian Americans in San Gabriel Valley are limited English proficient, and less than 6% of lactation professionals in Los Angeles County speak an Asian language.

The photo exhibit was funded by grants with HealthConnect One Foundation’s Birth Equity Leadership Academy and the office of L.A. Councilwoman Nury Martinez.

Tseng said the task force hired a professional photographer who had creative rein over the mothers and their children.

“When we were organizing this project, the venues were concerned about how the public would view the images,” Tseng said. “So we’re aware that the stigma is still there.”

Siosan said the photos reflect a natural tone.

The task force also created 17 videos,Tseng sai, to accompany the photos that will be released periodically throughout the month. The videos showcase the reasons the participating mothers chose to breastfeed their children and the barriers they have faced.

Siosan didn’t feel comfortable breastfeeding in public, noting an instance in Bistro Na, a Michelin star restaurant in Temple City.

She said people at the table next to her were glaring when her husband chimed in: “What’s wrong man, he’s eating just like you,” she reported him saying.

If you go:

Where: 200 N. Spring St., Los Angeles (L.A. City Hall Breezeway) and 10144 Bogue St, Temple City (Live Oak Park Community Center)

When: 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. everyday throughout August

Cost: Free