Chandler has become the second city in the nation to enact a breast-feeding law, making it legal in the city for a mother to nurse her child "anywhere a mother and child are allowed to be."
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Friday, October 28, 2005
Thursday, October 27, 2005
Tucson to address public breastfeeding debate (AZCentral.com)
TUCSON - The City Council plans to discuss next week whether women have the right to breastfeed anywhere in public.
What the city has offered so far is an administrative directive that protects nursing mothers on all city property.
Next Tuesday, the City Council will discuss the rule and whether the city should go further.
Earlier this year, Chandler drew the ire of nursing moms by drafting a rule that would have fined mothers for trespassing if they would not leave city property after a complaint.
Arizona law doesn't protect or restrict breastfeeding. The problem is the indecent exposure statute.
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What the city has offered so far is an administrative directive that protects nursing mothers on all city property.
Next Tuesday, the City Council will discuss the rule and whether the city should go further.
Earlier this year, Chandler drew the ire of nursing moms by drafting a rule that would have fined mothers for trespassing if they would not leave city property after a complaint.
Arizona law doesn't protect or restrict breastfeeding. The problem is the indecent exposure statute.
click to read more...
Breast-feeding law uncertain (The Arizona Republic)
Chandler could become the second city in the nation to enact a breast-feeding law, but that won't happen unless the divided City Council resolves wording disputes before Thursday's vote.
What appears more likely is a resolution proclaiming city support for passage of a state law that would give mothers the right to breast-feed in public and exempt them from indecent-exposure prosecution. Similar laws have been passed in 35 states, but only Philadelphia has a municipal breast-feeding ordinance, said Chandler city Attorney Michael House.
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What appears more likely is a resolution proclaiming city support for passage of a state law that would give mothers the right to breast-feed in public and exempt them from indecent-exposure prosecution. Similar laws have been passed in 35 states, but only Philadelphia has a municipal breast-feeding ordinance, said Chandler city Attorney Michael House.
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Nursing Mothers' plight shows law must change (The Arizona Daily Star)
It sounds ridiculous, but evidently there are some who cannot tell the difference between a woman breast-feeding her baby and a case of indecent exposure.
The Tucson City Council can clarify the matter by adopting an ordinance that explicitly allows a woman to nurse her child in public.
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The Tucson City Council can clarify the matter by adopting an ordinance that explicitly allows a woman to nurse her child in public.
click to read more...
Vermont witch display sparks chest beating (BostonHerald.com)
This witch could probably use an abracada-bra.
Brattleboro, Vt., has been under a spell ever since residents David and Lauren Petrie decorated the lawn of their Guilford Street home with a breast-feeding witch Halloween display a couple of weeks ago.
The display features a scarecrow witch with a gourd breast and a green baby witch doll.
``I would hope if witches have babies and the witches would have to feed their babies, they would nurse,'' Lauren Petrie said. ``I am also advocating being comfortable with nursing in public.''
A photo of the Petrie witch in the Brattleboro Reformer sparked a spate of letters.
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Brattleboro, Vt., has been under a spell ever since residents David and Lauren Petrie decorated the lawn of their Guilford Street home with a breast-feeding witch Halloween display a couple of weeks ago.
The display features a scarecrow witch with a gourd breast and a green baby witch doll.
``I would hope if witches have babies and the witches would have to feed their babies, they would nurse,'' Lauren Petrie said. ``I am also advocating being comfortable with nursing in public.''
A photo of the Petrie witch in the Brattleboro Reformer sparked a spate of letters.
click to read more...
Dundee mums less likely to breastfeed (Evening Telegraph)
Fewer than half of all mums in Dundee are breastfeeding their babies when they are discharged from hospital, writes Stefan Morkis.
Figures released by NHS Tayside to MSP Marlyn Glen show that although the number of mums breastfeeding is rising, rates of breastfeeding in Dundee are still far lower than elsewhere in Tayside.
In 1997/98, only 39% of mums were breastfeeding at the time of discharge from hospital.
The 2003/04 figures show this has risen to 46% — still nearly 10% lower than the rate for Tayside as a whole.
In Angus, 55% of mums are breastfeeding when discharged from hospital, while in Perth and Kinross the figure is 66%.
Despite the health benefits of breastfeeding to both mother and child, by the time they are six weeks old, just 26.4% of Dundee babies are being breastfed — the lowest rate in Scotland.
click to read more...
Figures released by NHS Tayside to MSP Marlyn Glen show that although the number of mums breastfeeding is rising, rates of breastfeeding in Dundee are still far lower than elsewhere in Tayside.
In 1997/98, only 39% of mums were breastfeeding at the time of discharge from hospital.
The 2003/04 figures show this has risen to 46% — still nearly 10% lower than the rate for Tayside as a whole.
In Angus, 55% of mums are breastfeeding when discharged from hospital, while in Perth and Kinross the figure is 66%.
Despite the health benefits of breastfeeding to both mother and child, by the time they are six weeks old, just 26.4% of Dundee babies are being breastfed — the lowest rate in Scotland.
click to read more...
Breastfeeding Witch Causing Stir In Vermont (CBS4 Boston)
(CBS4) BRATTLEBORO, VT One Halloween display in Vermont is causing people to look twice, and many can’t believe what they see.
David and Lauren Petrie of Brattleboro decked out their home for Halloween. But it’s not the pumpkins that are attracting attention. It’s “The Witch Lactation Station.”
That’s right. The Petrie’s holiday display features a breastfeeding witch, complete with a gourd breast and a baby witch doll.
click to read more...
David and Lauren Petrie of Brattleboro decked out their home for Halloween. But it’s not the pumpkins that are attracting attention. It’s “The Witch Lactation Station.”
That’s right. The Petrie’s holiday display features a breastfeeding witch, complete with a gourd breast and a baby witch doll.
click to read more...
Monday, October 24, 2005
Nursing Mother Counsel marks 50 years of supporting mothers (San Mateo County Times)
Breast-feeding isn't as easy as it seems, physically and emotionally. Lori McBride, coordinator of the San Mateo/San Francisco chapter of the Nursing Mothers Counsel, recently spoke with staff writer Tara Ramroop about her organization's efforts to help breast-feeding become a positive experience.
Q. Tell our readers a little bit about the Nursing Mothers Counsel (NMC) and how it got started?
A. Nursing Mothers Counsel just celebrated its 50th anniversary on Sept. 18. In 1955, it was not the norm to breast-feed. A pre-natal exercise class instructor in Palo Alto taught her students about natural childbirth — which also was not the norm — and breast-feeding. A group of women from this class did their research — there was little breast-feeding information available at this time — and decided breast-feeding would be best for their babies. They wanted to encourage and support other moms in the community to breast-feed.
In October 1955, they formed NursingMothers Anonymous, which a few years later became Nursing Mothers Counsel, a nonprofit dedicated to providing free breast-feeding education and support to enable moms to have a positive and successful breast-feeding experience.
These early members took their own babies and did demonstrations at childbirth-education classes. They worked with moms on a one-to-one basis, counseling mainly by phone, but doing free home visits when needed. They chose the title Nursing Mothers "Counsel" rather than "Council" because their role was to counsel moms.
click to read more...
Q. Tell our readers a little bit about the Nursing Mothers Counsel (NMC) and how it got started?
A. Nursing Mothers Counsel just celebrated its 50th anniversary on Sept. 18. In 1955, it was not the norm to breast-feed. A pre-natal exercise class instructor in Palo Alto taught her students about natural childbirth — which also was not the norm — and breast-feeding. A group of women from this class did their research — there was little breast-feeding information available at this time — and decided breast-feeding would be best for their babies. They wanted to encourage and support other moms in the community to breast-feed.
In October 1955, they formed NursingMothers Anonymous, which a few years later became Nursing Mothers Counsel, a nonprofit dedicated to providing free breast-feeding education and support to enable moms to have a positive and successful breast-feeding experience.
These early members took their own babies and did demonstrations at childbirth-education classes. They worked with moms on a one-to-one basis, counseling mainly by phone, but doing free home visits when needed. They chose the title Nursing Mothers "Counsel" rather than "Council" because their role was to counsel moms.
click to read more...
Saturday, October 22, 2005
Mother's milk helps to block HIV - Search for chemicals to stop the spread of AIDS latches on to breast milk. (nature.com)
Sugar-containing compounds in breast milk may reduce the transmission of HIV to suckling babies, suggests a lab-based study.
The findings do not mean that it is a good idea for HIV-positive mothers to breastfeed their infants, say the researchers, as the virus can still be transmitted this way. But if the results hold true in further studies, they could lead to new ways to block transmission of HIV between adults during sex.
Milk is already known to contain some substances that quell HIV. "Breast milk has all sorts of good stuff in it, such as antibodies from the mother," says Louise Kuhn, who studies HIV transmission at Columbia University in New York.
click to read more...
The findings do not mean that it is a good idea for HIV-positive mothers to breastfeed their infants, say the researchers, as the virus can still be transmitted this way. But if the results hold true in further studies, they could lead to new ways to block transmission of HIV between adults during sex.
Milk is already known to contain some substances that quell HIV. "Breast milk has all sorts of good stuff in it, such as antibodies from the mother," says Louise Kuhn, who studies HIV transmission at Columbia University in New York.
click to read more...
Breast-feeding panel to provide options (East Valley Tribune)
Chandler’s split Breastfeeding Task Force will present a handful of options Monday to the City Council.
Breast-feeding advocates on the task force want an ordinance stating a mother may nurse her child anywhere she already has the right to be.
But business advocates on the task force oppose a mandate on private businesses.
The council is expected to hear both sides during its Monday study session. Judging by past turnouts for breast-feeding discussions, the council chambers will likely be packed.
click to read more...
Breast-feeding advocates on the task force want an ordinance stating a mother may nurse her child anywhere she already has the right to be.
But business advocates on the task force oppose a mandate on private businesses.
The council is expected to hear both sides during its Monday study session. Judging by past turnouts for breast-feeding discussions, the council chambers will likely be packed.
click to read more...
Thursday, October 20, 2005
United States Breastfeeding Committee Press Release
Mixed Credibility of the Revised AAP SIDS Prevention Recommendations
The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) released revised recommendations for Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) prevention last week, one of which provides valuable new information to help parents protect their infant, while others not only lack a solid scientific basis but also entail some risks.
click to view press release....
The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) released revised recommendations for Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) prevention last week, one of which provides valuable new information to help parents protect their infant, while others not only lack a solid scientific basis but also entail some risks.
click to view press release....
Wednesday, October 19, 2005
Breastfeeding dispute ends with branch move (The Maitland Mercury)
A Thornton mother banned from breastfeeding her son in a Commonwealth Bank lunchroom is anxious to put the dispute behind her after receiving a transfer to a new branch.
Susan Bourke will take up the position as a teller at the Green Hills branch of the bank this week following nearly six months on sick leave for anxiety and depression.
The Mercury reported on Friday the alleged discrimination of Mrs Bourke, who was banned from breastfeeding her son Nicholas in the lunch room of the bank's Maitland branch.
The Thornton mother-of-two said she did not want to return to a branch where she was segregated and made to feel "upset and uncomfortable".
click to read more...
Susan Bourke will take up the position as a teller at the Green Hills branch of the bank this week following nearly six months on sick leave for anxiety and depression.
The Mercury reported on Friday the alleged discrimination of Mrs Bourke, who was banned from breastfeeding her son Nicholas in the lunch room of the bank's Maitland branch.
The Thornton mother-of-two said she did not want to return to a branch where she was segregated and made to feel "upset and uncomfortable".
click to read more...
Nursing infant photo deemed too risqué for Fredericton news magazine cover (the eyeopener online)
FREDERICTON (CUP) -- "I got to work Thursday morning and everything on my computer was frozen," Miriam Christensen said as she walked the streets of Saint John, N.B., looking for a pet store to buy a travel harness for her cat. "I tried to login, but I was locked out," she said. It was her last day as editor of [here], a weekly news magazine servicing Moncton, St. John and Fredericton. But she didn't know it yet.
Last week, the original cover photo of the Oct. 6 edition of [here] was pulled and replaced shortly before distribution. The intended photo of a nursing child and its accompanying article coincided with a breast-feeding conference in St. John and World Breast-feeding week. Christensen wrote the article partly due to the fact that New Brunswick's breast-feeding numbers sit well-below the national average.
"New Brunswick has the second-lowest, or the lowest rate of breast-feeding in Canada, and with that in mind it was decided that we'd grant a cover story on the subject to all three cities," said Christensen.
With the issue set for its Thursday release, [here]'s production team was training in Moncton last Wednesday, while Christensen remained at her desk in Saint John. She had given her two weeks notice early last week, after taking a job with a Danish public radio station in Copenhagen, making further training for [here] unnecessary. The team discussed the cover and its implications before agreeing that, whatever the outcome, it would run.
"But when I was walking to work on Thursday morning I noticed that none of the papers were out," said Christensen.
click to read more...
Last week, the original cover photo of the Oct. 6 edition of [here] was pulled and replaced shortly before distribution. The intended photo of a nursing child and its accompanying article coincided with a breast-feeding conference in St. John and World Breast-feeding week. Christensen wrote the article partly due to the fact that New Brunswick's breast-feeding numbers sit well-below the national average.
"New Brunswick has the second-lowest, or the lowest rate of breast-feeding in Canada, and with that in mind it was decided that we'd grant a cover story on the subject to all three cities," said Christensen.
With the issue set for its Thursday release, [here]'s production team was training in Moncton last Wednesday, while Christensen remained at her desk in Saint John. She had given her two weeks notice early last week, after taking a job with a Danish public radio station in Copenhagen, making further training for [here] unnecessary. The team discussed the cover and its implications before agreeing that, whatever the outcome, it would run.
"But when I was walking to work on Thursday morning I noticed that none of the papers were out," said Christensen.
click to read more...
Monday, October 17, 2005
The binky vs. the breast (USATODAY.com)
Should you give your baby a binky at bedtime?
The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) says yes: In new guidelines on preventing sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS), the group urges parents to offer pacifiers at nap and bedtimes. The academy cites research showing babies who nod off with pacifiers are 61% less likely to die of SIDS than otherwise similar babies who don't. The doctors speculate that pacifiers may help keep airways clear or may keep babies from sleeping too deeply or rolling onto tummies.
Contrary to popular belief, the academy says, pacifiers don't ruin teeth and don't cause enough infant ear infections to negate their benefits. And, the doctors say there isn't compelling evidence that pacifiers inhibit breast-feeding.
Case closed? Not for everyone. In fact, some advocates of breast-feeding and "attachment parenting" are aghast at the pacifier advice and are urging parents to disregard it (along with another recommendation that discourages sharing a bed with a baby).
"The breast-feeding community is very upset," says Katy Lebbing, a spokeswoman for La Leche League International. "Basically, they are telling us to use an artificial substitute for something a mother usually does."
To be well-nourished — and keep up a mother's milk supply — a baby must nurse often, including at bedtime, advocates say. They say the academy ignored studies suggesting babies who use pacifiers nurse less. But they are as worried about nurturing as they are about nutrition.
click to read more...
The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) says yes: In new guidelines on preventing sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS), the group urges parents to offer pacifiers at nap and bedtimes. The academy cites research showing babies who nod off with pacifiers are 61% less likely to die of SIDS than otherwise similar babies who don't. The doctors speculate that pacifiers may help keep airways clear or may keep babies from sleeping too deeply or rolling onto tummies.
Contrary to popular belief, the academy says, pacifiers don't ruin teeth and don't cause enough infant ear infections to negate their benefits. And, the doctors say there isn't compelling evidence that pacifiers inhibit breast-feeding.
Case closed? Not for everyone. In fact, some advocates of breast-feeding and "attachment parenting" are aghast at the pacifier advice and are urging parents to disregard it (along with another recommendation that discourages sharing a bed with a baby).
"The breast-feeding community is very upset," says Katy Lebbing, a spokeswoman for La Leche League International. "Basically, they are telling us to use an artificial substitute for something a mother usually does."
To be well-nourished — and keep up a mother's milk supply — a baby must nurse often, including at bedtime, advocates say. They say the academy ignored studies suggesting babies who use pacifiers nurse less. But they are as worried about nurturing as they are about nutrition.
click to read more...
Sunday, October 16, 2005
Massachusetts Breastfeeding Coaltiion Statement on the New AAP Recommendations
The Massachusetts Breastfeeding Coalition has added this news item to their site:
AAP releases controversial guidelines on SIDS prevention
AAP releases controversial guidelines on SIDS prevention
Friday, October 14, 2005
Breaking News: Breastfeeding Is Associated with a Lower Risk of SIDS According to The Academy of Breastfeeding Medicine
Contrary to even the recommendations of its own Section on Breastfeeding, the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) released an ill-advised and ill-informed statement from its Task Force on SIDS (1) (sudden infant death syndrome). Recommendations that advise against parent-infant bed-sharing and support the generic use of pacifiers imply a "truly astounding triumph of ethnocentric assumptions over common sense and medical research," according to Nancy Wight, M.D., president of The Academy of Breastfeeding Medicine. These controversies, and many more, will be addressed in the upcoming, new peer-reviewed journal Breastfeeding Medicine (www.liebertpub.com/bfm), the Official Journal of the Academy of Breastfeeding Medicine (www.brmed.org).
click to read more...
click to read more...
LLLI Responds to AAP Policy Statement on Sudden Infant Death Syndrome
Schaumburg, IL (October 2005) La Leche League International (LLLI) is concerned about the October 10, 2005 policy statement on Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) issued by the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) Task Force on SIDS. The recommendations about pacifiers and cosleeping in the statement reflect a lack of basic understanding about breastfeeding management.
Pacifiers, which are recommended in this policy statement, are artificial substitutes for what the breast does naturally. Breastfed babies often nurse to sleep for naps and bedtime. The recommended pacifier usage could cause a reduction in milk supply due to reduced stimulation of the breasts and may affect breastfeeding duration.
LLLI recognizes that safe cosleeping facilitates breastfeeding. One important way cosleeping can help a mother’s milk supply is by encouraging regular and frequent feeding. Well-known research on safe cosleeping practices by Dr. James McKenna, Director of the Mother-Baby Behavioral Sleep Laboratory at Notre Dame University was disregarded by the task force.
Also, the obvious omission of input by the AAP’s Section on Breastfeeding may account for the fact that breastfeeding management issues were not taken into consideration. Dr. Nancy Wight, President of the Academy of Breastfeeding Medicine , comments that this statement “represents a truly astounding triumph of ethnocentric assumptions over common sense and medical research.” Dr. Wight also states, “There are many physician members of the AAP who do not agree with these recommendations.”
Although the authors do state that breastfeeding is beneficial and should be promoted, their recommendations about pacifier use and cosleeping could have a negative impact on a mother’s efforts to breastfeed. The statement causes confusion for parents and falls seriously short of being a useful and comprehensive policy.
LLLI, a non-profit organization that helps mothers learn about breastfeeding, has an international Professional Advisory Board. The LLLI Center for Breastfeeding Information is one of the world’s largest libraries of information on breastfeeding, human lactation, and related topics. Monthly meetings are offered to pregnant women and nursing mothers and babies to learn about breastfeeding management. To find local groups call 800 LA LECHE or visit www.lalecheleague.org
LLLI Responds to AAP Policy Statement on Sudden Infant Death Syndrome
Pacifiers, which are recommended in this policy statement, are artificial substitutes for what the breast does naturally. Breastfed babies often nurse to sleep for naps and bedtime. The recommended pacifier usage could cause a reduction in milk supply due to reduced stimulation of the breasts and may affect breastfeeding duration.
LLLI recognizes that safe cosleeping facilitates breastfeeding. One important way cosleeping can help a mother’s milk supply is by encouraging regular and frequent feeding. Well-known research on safe cosleeping practices by Dr. James McKenna, Director of the Mother-Baby Behavioral Sleep Laboratory at Notre Dame University was disregarded by the task force.
Also, the obvious omission of input by the AAP’s Section on Breastfeeding may account for the fact that breastfeeding management issues were not taken into consideration. Dr. Nancy Wight, President of the Academy of Breastfeeding Medicine , comments that this statement “represents a truly astounding triumph of ethnocentric assumptions over common sense and medical research.” Dr. Wight also states, “There are many physician members of the AAP who do not agree with these recommendations.”
Although the authors do state that breastfeeding is beneficial and should be promoted, their recommendations about pacifier use and cosleeping could have a negative impact on a mother’s efforts to breastfeed. The statement causes confusion for parents and falls seriously short of being a useful and comprehensive policy.
LLLI, a non-profit organization that helps mothers learn about breastfeeding, has an international Professional Advisory Board. The LLLI Center for Breastfeeding Information is one of the world’s largest libraries of information on breastfeeding, human lactation, and related topics. Monthly meetings are offered to pregnant women and nursing mothers and babies to learn about breastfeeding management. To find local groups call 800 LA LECHE or visit www.lalecheleague.org
LLLI Responds to AAP Policy Statement on Sudden Infant Death Syndrome
'Archaic' behaviour to breastfeeding mother (The Maitland Mercury)
A national advocacy group has labelled the alleged discrimination of a breastfeeding mother from Thornton as "archaic" behaviour that didn't belong in today's workplaces.
Susan Bourke has been on sick leave for nearly six months after becoming depressed and anxious when she was banned from breastfeeding her son in the lunch room of the Maitland branch of the Commonwealth Bank.
The Thornton mother-of-two, who has temporarily resumed work at Raymond Terrace, now fears she will lose her job because she does not want to return to the Maitland branch where she was segregated and made to feel "upset and uncomfortable".
Australian Breastfeeding Association director Lee King said it was "sad our society hasn't go the appropriate attitude" when it came to breastfeeding, with many mothers "embarrassed and unsure" about where they can feed their babies.
"It's all right for adults to eat in the lunch room, but it's not all right for babies to ... it's so old fashioned, so archaic," Ms King said.
click to read more...
Susan Bourke has been on sick leave for nearly six months after becoming depressed and anxious when she was banned from breastfeeding her son in the lunch room of the Maitland branch of the Commonwealth Bank.
The Thornton mother-of-two, who has temporarily resumed work at Raymond Terrace, now fears she will lose her job because she does not want to return to the Maitland branch where she was segregated and made to feel "upset and uncomfortable".
Australian Breastfeeding Association director Lee King said it was "sad our society hasn't go the appropriate attitude" when it came to breastfeeding, with many mothers "embarrassed and unsure" about where they can feed their babies.
"It's all right for adults to eat in the lunch room, but it's not all right for babies to ... it's so old fashioned, so archaic," Ms King said.
click to read more...
Tucson Weekly : Currents : T Q&A
Chandra Ruiz is the founder of Breast or Bust!, a small business using witty T-shirts to advocate for breastfeeding rights. Her breastfeeding convictions, along with her involvement with La Leche League, drove Ruiz to the frontlines of an ongoing battle. In June, a breastfeeding mother was asked to leave a city pool in Chandler after she refused to go into a bathroom to nurse; now, groups around Arizona are fighting for state legislation and city ordinances to protect breastfeeding mothers and their children. Since the June incident, Ruiz has banded together with women around the state, via the Internet, to push for legislative reform. For more information, check out http://www.breastorbust.com or e-mail chandra@breastorbust.com
Why exactly are you so angry?
I'm a breastfeeding mother who feels that it's very sad that women who go out in public fear things like harassment, segregation and discrimination, simply because they are trying to feed and comfort their children. Following the confrontation in June, the city of Chandler received more than 111 pages of e-mails contesting the council's decision to support the city pool policies regarding breastfeeding.
click to read more...
Why exactly are you so angry?
I'm a breastfeeding mother who feels that it's very sad that women who go out in public fear things like harassment, segregation and discrimination, simply because they are trying to feed and comfort their children. Following the confrontation in June, the city of Chandler received more than 111 pages of e-mails contesting the council's decision to support the city pool policies regarding breastfeeding.
click to read more...
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