Explorer, August 10, 2005

Marana grad selling nursing shawl at fair

Marie (Schutte) Wakefield, a 1994 graduate of Marana High School, will feature her unique nursing shawl at the 16th annual 94.9 MIX FM Baby Fair from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Aug. 13 at the Tucson Convention Center.

Wakefield, who was the valedictorian of her graduating class in Marana, attended medical school in Seattle and now works as a doctor in Washington. With her mother and sister-in-law she started the company Bellies & Beyond.

“I’d had Jordan (her 1-year old son) and was running into the same difficulties other mothers had,” said Wakefield, of Auburn. “I even went through a period where my son wanted to be nursed while I was walking around.”

The company will have a booth at the baby fair, featuring a simple, discreet and stylish NursEase nursing shawl, also known as a nursing blanket or breastfeeding cover. Wakefield said the nursing shawl was created to make life easier for mothers who face the difficult task of nursing in public.

“It’s different than most other shawls that are out there. It’s secure, it’s fashionable and we’ve chosen some really nice fabric,” she said. “It keeps you having an arm free if you’re eating and it’s complete coverage front and back. It just gives women the confidence to nurse wherever they’re at.”