Friday, June 30, 2006
Do the boogie dance of joy
I just spoke with an aide in Senator Creedon's office; the Judiciary Committee has reported out favorably on H-1782, an act permitting breastfeeding in public, ! The bill is still alive and kicking!
URGENT - Calls needed Friday A.M. in Massachusetts
The Judiciary Committee is expect to take action [B]this afternoon [/B]on H-1782, the Breastfeeding In Public Act.
Today would be an ideal day to contact House Chairman Eugene O'Flaherty and Senate Chairman Robert Creedon of the Judiciary Committee and urge a favorable report for the bill.
House Chair Eugene O'Flaherty: 617-722-2396
Senate Chair: 617-722-1200
Get those dialing fingers going - call the chairmen and your own state reps, and save H-1782!!!
Today would be an ideal day to contact House Chairman Eugene O'Flaherty and Senate Chairman Robert Creedon of the Judiciary Committee and urge a favorable report for the bill.
House Chair Eugene O'Flaherty: 617-722-2396
Senate Chair: 617-722-1200
Get those dialing fingers going - call the chairmen and your own state reps, and save H-1782!!!
Breastfeeding mothers to stage protest at Asheville Mall (CITIZEN-TIMES.com)
ASHEVILLE – Breastfeeding mothers are meeting at Victoria’s Secret in Asheville Mall this Saturday at 1 p.m., staging a protest fueled by the two women recently booted from the lingerie shop for nursing their young.
In Racine, WI, two moms have organized a nation-wide “Nurse In” at the popular stores across the country. In two separate incidents and stores, the mothers were trying to nurse their offspring and told to leave.
“I’m doing this because of the two women who were shopping there and told they couldn’t use the dressing rooms or nurse in the store but had to use the bathrooms,” said Tali Branco, 21, of North Asheville, mother of a six-month-old.
click to read more...
In Racine, WI, two moms have organized a nation-wide “Nurse In” at the popular stores across the country. In two separate incidents and stores, the mothers were trying to nurse their offspring and told to leave.
“I’m doing this because of the two women who were shopping there and told they couldn’t use the dressing rooms or nurse in the store but had to use the bathrooms,” said Tali Branco, 21, of North Asheville, mother of a six-month-old.
click to read more...
Mothering Magazine Activism Alert
Pretty Bras and Breastfeeding Belong Together!
On June 21 in Wisconsin and on June 22 in Boston, mothers in Victoria’s Secret stores were directed to bathrooms to nurse their babies. Earlier this year, the lingerie chain was involved in a similar anti-breastfeeding incident in yet another Victoria’s Secret store. At that time, national attention was raised and ultimately, Anthony Hebron, spokesman for the chain's parent, Limited Brands issued the statement that Victoria's Secret has a "long-standing policy to allow nursing in our stores. We are still for and about women." Apparently, as the more recent incidents demonstrate, that policy has not been enacted or enforced in all stores. Rally this Saturday, with lactavists nationwide! Gather at 1:00 p.m. in your time zone, at your nearest Victoria’s Secret store, for a nurse-in. Help this company, whose fortunes are largely breast-related, understand that in being "for and about women" their stores must accommodate breastfeeding. The nurse-in activism is also intended to draw attention to the fact that we need for a federal law protecting a nursing mother's right to feed her baby anywhere that she and her baby would otherwise be allowed to be.
Join MDC lactivists in discussion of the incident and their planned lactivism.
On June 21 in Wisconsin and on June 22 in Boston, mothers in Victoria’s Secret stores were directed to bathrooms to nurse their babies. Earlier this year, the lingerie chain was involved in a similar anti-breastfeeding incident in yet another Victoria’s Secret store. At that time, national attention was raised and ultimately, Anthony Hebron, spokesman for the chain's parent, Limited Brands issued the statement that Victoria's Secret has a "long-standing policy to allow nursing in our stores. We are still for and about women." Apparently, as the more recent incidents demonstrate, that policy has not been enacted or enforced in all stores. Rally this Saturday, with lactavists nationwide! Gather at 1:00 p.m. in your time zone, at your nearest Victoria’s Secret store, for a nurse-in. Help this company, whose fortunes are largely breast-related, understand that in being "for and about women" their stores must accommodate breastfeeding. The nurse-in activism is also intended to draw attention to the fact that we need for a federal law protecting a nursing mother's right to feed her baby anywhere that she and her baby would otherwise be allowed to be.
Join MDC lactivists in discussion of the incident and their planned lactivism.
Whip 'em Out : Breast-feeding Moms Find Victoria's Secret Unsupportive (The Cleveland Free Times)
Not only are breasts a perfect marriage of form and function, but it delights us all that they are the very definition of natural, and even government-approved. Federally mandated, tax-funded health professionals assure us in official documents that breast-feeding is the healthiest way to nourish a child. Which makes it odd that nursing moms in Wisconsin and Massachusetts were recently told by Victoria's Secret staffers that the sight of their breasts might offend other customers, and that they had to use a shopping mall restroom outside the store.
It's especially puzzling that Victoria's Secret — owned by Limited Brands of Ohio — should take offense, since the company advertises its products by showing off as many breasts and as much of them as they can get away with.
click to read more...
It's especially puzzling that Victoria's Secret — owned by Limited Brands of Ohio — should take offense, since the company advertises its products by showing off as many breasts and as much of them as they can get away with.
click to read more...
Thursday, June 29, 2006
Victoria's Secret Target Of A Nationwide Nurse- In
RACINE, Wis. (Wireless Flash) – Victoria’s Secret lingerie stores will be the targets of a nationwide “Nurse-In” being organized by two nursing moms who don’t like how store employees treated women who had to breast feed their kids while shopping there.
click to read more...
click to read more...
Public breastfeeders respond to Victoria's Secret policies (OnMilwaukee.com Scoops)
This Saturday, two moms are organizing a nationwide nurse-in at the popular lingerie store, Victoria’s Secret. Prompted by run-ins with Victoria’s Secret employees, Rebecca Cook, of Burlington, and Jessie Chandler, of Quincy, Mass., have decided to do something about state and federal laws that do not protect nursing mothers.
“A Tale of Two Nursing Moms” seeks a federal law that protects a nursing mother's right to feed her baby anywhere that she and her baby would otherwise be allowed to be. They are urging moms to go to their local Victoria’s Secret on July 1 at 1 p.m. to nurse their babies and be a part of this movement.
click to read more...
“A Tale of Two Nursing Moms” seeks a federal law that protects a nursing mother's right to feed her baby anywhere that she and her baby would otherwise be allowed to be. They are urging moms to go to their local Victoria’s Secret on July 1 at 1 p.m. to nurse their babies and be a part of this movement.
click to read more...
Wednesday, June 28, 2006
the letter I'm sending out far and wide....
Dear Friends,
I'm writing to you because you have previously expressed support for breastfeeding, and I wanted to make you aware of current legislation stalled in Massachusetts.
HB-1782 (http://www.mass.gov/legis/bills/house/ht01/ht01782.htm) would protect mothers who breastfeed their children in public. Under current state law, mothers can be charged with indecent exposure or lewd and lascivious behavior.
Why is this important? Well, you may have seen the front page of the Boston Herald this weekend: http://news.bostonherald.com/localRegional/view.bg?articleid=145238. Jessie Chandler is a friend of mine, and she was reduced to tears by her treatment last week. Please help us make sure this doesn't happen to any other mothers.
How? It's easy, and will take just five minutes of your time. Pick up the phone, and call your state legislators.* Tell the nice person who answers the phone that you want your officials to support HB-1782, the breastfeeding in public act. Easy!
You can also sign the online petition: http://www.petitiononline.com/HB1782/petition.html . We're hoping to deliver it to the State House by the end of the week.
And you can also forward this email on to five friends. HB-1782 comes up before the Judicial Committee on June 30th, so time is of the essence!
Thank you so much for taking the time to read this, and for your support. It will appreciated for generations to come. :)
Ali Crehan Feeney, CLC
Quincy, MA
http://lactiferous.blogspot.com
* If you're not sure who your state legislators are, you can visit http://www.mass.gov/ . On the lower left hand side of the page, you'll see a link for local government; select your community, and then click on the link that says "State Legislators."
I'm writing to you because you have previously expressed support for breastfeeding, and I wanted to make you aware of current legislation stalled in Massachusetts.
HB-1782 (http://www.mass.gov/legis/bills/house/ht01/ht01782.htm) would protect mothers who breastfeed their children in public. Under current state law, mothers can be charged with indecent exposure or lewd and lascivious behavior.
Why is this important? Well, you may have seen the front page of the Boston Herald this weekend: http://news.bostonherald.com/localRegional/view.bg?articleid=145238. Jessie Chandler is a friend of mine, and she was reduced to tears by her treatment last week. Please help us make sure this doesn't happen to any other mothers.
How? It's easy, and will take just five minutes of your time. Pick up the phone, and call your state legislators.* Tell the nice person who answers the phone that you want your officials to support HB-1782, the breastfeeding in public act. Easy!
You can also sign the online petition: http://www.petitiononline.com/HB1782/petition.html . We're hoping to deliver it to the State House by the end of the week.
And you can also forward this email on to five friends. HB-1782 comes up before the Judicial Committee on June 30th, so time is of the essence!
Thank you so much for taking the time to read this, and for your support. It will appreciated for generations to come. :)
Ali Crehan Feeney, CLC
Quincy, MA
http://lactiferous.blogspot.com
* If you're not sure who your state legislators are, you can visit http://www.mass.gov/ . On the lower left hand side of the page, you'll see a link for local government; select your community, and then click on the link that says "State Legislators."
Tuesday, June 27, 2006
Mother Asked To Leave Restaurant Because She Was Breast Feeding (KSLA News)
"Are you flirting," asks Ashley Walsh, glaring into the eyes of her daughter, Emma. "Daddy's going to get to you."
Three month old Emma Walsh is everything to her parents, Travis and Ashley. She brightened their lives not long after they committed theirs to each other. When Ashley gave birth to Emma she vowed to breast feed her. She's part of the "La Leche League," a global group that educates women who want to breast feed.
Recently, they went to the place they love to eat as a family, Applebee's, the place that promotes itself as a "Good Neighbor."
"The waitress came over and took our order. She started getting fussy so I was like, 'Ok I'll just feed her.' I mean, like I said I've done it many time before, in Wal-Mart, other restaurants, the mall. No ones ever noticed it before, but here comes the manager and she says I'm going to need you to either step in the bathroom and do that, or leave. So, we just played for our meal and left," says Ashley.
click to read more...
Three month old Emma Walsh is everything to her parents, Travis and Ashley. She brightened their lives not long after they committed theirs to each other. When Ashley gave birth to Emma she vowed to breast feed her. She's part of the "La Leche League," a global group that educates women who want to breast feed.
Recently, they went to the place they love to eat as a family, Applebee's, the place that promotes itself as a "Good Neighbor."
"The waitress came over and took our order. She started getting fussy so I was like, 'Ok I'll just feed her.' I mean, like I said I've done it many time before, in Wal-Mart, other restaurants, the mall. No ones ever noticed it before, but here comes the manager and she says I'm going to need you to either step in the bathroom and do that, or leave. So, we just played for our meal and left," says Ashley.
click to read more...
Louisiana Law Permitting Mothers To Breast Feed In Public (KSLA News)
A. Legislative findings and declarations.
(1) The Legislature of Louisiana hereby finds that the surgeon general of the United States recommends that babies from birth to one year of age be breastfed, unless medically contraindicated, in order for the babies to attain an optimal healthy start in life, but that despite that recommendation, statistics reveal a declining percentage of mothers who are now choosing to breastfeed their babies, and nearly half of all new mothers are choosing formula over breastfeeding before they even leave the hospital.
(2) The legislature further finds that breast milk provides better nutrition and more immunity to disease, is easier for babies to digest, and may raise a baby's intelligence quotient, but that the social constraints of modern society work against the choice of breastfeeding and lead new mothers with demanding time schedules to opt for formula feeding for reasons such as embarrassment and the fear of social ostracism or criminal prosecution.
(3) The legislature does hereby declare that the promotion of family values and infant health demands that our society put an end to the vicious cycle of embarrassment and ignorance that constricts women and men alike on the subject of breastfeeding, and that in a genuine effort to promote family values, our society should encourage public acceptance of this most basic act of nurture between mother and baby and should take appropriate steps to ensure that no mother is made to feel incriminated or socially ostracized for breastfeeding her baby.
click to read more...
(1) The Legislature of Louisiana hereby finds that the surgeon general of the United States recommends that babies from birth to one year of age be breastfed, unless medically contraindicated, in order for the babies to attain an optimal healthy start in life, but that despite that recommendation, statistics reveal a declining percentage of mothers who are now choosing to breastfeed their babies, and nearly half of all new mothers are choosing formula over breastfeeding before they even leave the hospital.
(2) The legislature further finds that breast milk provides better nutrition and more immunity to disease, is easier for babies to digest, and may raise a baby's intelligence quotient, but that the social constraints of modern society work against the choice of breastfeeding and lead new mothers with demanding time schedules to opt for formula feeding for reasons such as embarrassment and the fear of social ostracism or criminal prosecution.
(3) The legislature does hereby declare that the promotion of family values and infant health demands that our society put an end to the vicious cycle of embarrassment and ignorance that constricts women and men alike on the subject of breastfeeding, and that in a genuine effort to promote family values, our society should encourage public acceptance of this most basic act of nurture between mother and baby and should take appropriate steps to ensure that no mother is made to feel incriminated or socially ostracized for breastfeeding her baby.
click to read more...
Campaign targets bottle feeding (Tennessean.com)
To Irma Paz-Bernstein of east Nashville, breastfeeding is the simplest, most natural thing in the world. It's diaper-changing that's hard.
Her 4-week-old son, Max, started nursing shortly after he was delivered by Caesarean section on May 30.
"It was like he knew exactly what to do," she said. "I believe in breastfeeding. It's the best thing for the child and the mother and society and the environment."
But in the U.S., Paz-Bernstein's experience may not be considered typical. The Office of Women's Health found that American women considered breastfeeding an "ideal" but not the standard. They also didn't see any disadvantages to not breastfeeding. In 2003, 33 percent of American women breastfed their children for six months — well below the 50 percent target of the Healthy People 2010 initiative. At 12 months, 19 percent of American mothers are still nursing, despite many health experts recommendations.
click to read more...
Her 4-week-old son, Max, started nursing shortly after he was delivered by Caesarean section on May 30.
"It was like he knew exactly what to do," she said. "I believe in breastfeeding. It's the best thing for the child and the mother and society and the environment."
But in the U.S., Paz-Bernstein's experience may not be considered typical. The Office of Women's Health found that American women considered breastfeeding an "ideal" but not the standard. They also didn't see any disadvantages to not breastfeeding. In 2003, 33 percent of American women breastfed their children for six months — well below the 50 percent target of the Healthy People 2010 initiative. At 12 months, 19 percent of American mothers are still nursing, despite many health experts recommendations.
click to read more...
Monday, June 26, 2006
Inconvenient truths prevail on helmets, drugs, schools (The Detroit News Online)
...The latest medical research is now so strong supporting the importance of breast feeding, some doctors are actually pushing for warnings/disclaimers on formula packages pointing out the physical (and psychological) benefits of nursing. They want to dissuade women from rejecting what medical research shows is best for mother and child.
Various groups are up in arms over this possibility, saying they will make women who choose not to breast feed feel guilty. Certainly, women who cannotdo it feel bad enough. Besides the real medical/physical challenges some women might face, others just don't want to be bothered. That's their choice. However, that does not change our next inconvenient truth: Babies (and moms) are better off when nursing takes place.
click to read more...
Various groups are up in arms over this possibility, saying they will make women who choose not to breast feed feel guilty. Certainly, women who cannotdo it feel bad enough. Besides the real medical/physical challenges some women might face, others just don't want to be bothered. That's their choice. However, that does not change our next inconvenient truth: Babies (and moms) are better off when nursing takes place.
click to read more...
Sunday, June 25, 2006
Support for HB-1782
Please take a moment to sign the petition to support HB-1782, legislation to permit breastfeeding in public in Massachusetts - and then pass the link on to five friends!
Saturday, June 24, 2006
Coverup charged at Victoria’s stores: Moms reveal bust-up over breast-feeding (BostonHerald.com)
The battle over public breast-feeding has moved to a new front line: Victoria’s Secret stores, where lacy bras are in, but nursing mothers are out, angry moms charge.
A Quincy mother says she was humiliated when an employee of the lingerie franchise’s Faneuil Hall store flatly refused to allow her to breast-feed her daughter, directing her to a public restroom outside.
“I was upset. I was embarrassed. My heart was breaking for my daughter,” said Jessie Chandler, who ended up going home to feed her 9-month-old daughter, Charlotte. “I felt powerless to do anything.”
Anthony Hebron, a spokesman for Victoria’s Secret, apologized yesterday, saying the Boston employee was a new hire. Hebron said it’s store policy to allow women to breast-feed in the store.
But Chandler, 24, and other moms say that policy isn’t trickling down to the employees who work with the public - and they cite instances of similar problems at the chain’s stores in two other states. They are planning a “nurse in” protest July 1.
“I’m sure that they have models in their stores and catalogs that have a lot more breast showing than any woman who’s breast-feeding,” said Anne Merewood, director of the breast-feeding center at Boston Medical Center.
“If they’re going to make their money off of selling things for women’s breasts, they ought to recognize all aspects of the breast,” Merewood said.
click to read more...
A Quincy mother says she was humiliated when an employee of the lingerie franchise’s Faneuil Hall store flatly refused to allow her to breast-feed her daughter, directing her to a public restroom outside.
“I was upset. I was embarrassed. My heart was breaking for my daughter,” said Jessie Chandler, who ended up going home to feed her 9-month-old daughter, Charlotte. “I felt powerless to do anything.”
Anthony Hebron, a spokesman for Victoria’s Secret, apologized yesterday, saying the Boston employee was a new hire. Hebron said it’s store policy to allow women to breast-feed in the store.
But Chandler, 24, and other moms say that policy isn’t trickling down to the employees who work with the public - and they cite instances of similar problems at the chain’s stores in two other states. They are planning a “nurse in” protest July 1.
“I’m sure that they have models in their stores and catalogs that have a lot more breast showing than any woman who’s breast-feeding,” said Anne Merewood, director of the breast-feeding center at Boston Medical Center.
“If they’re going to make their money off of selling things for women’s breasts, they ought to recognize all aspects of the breast,” Merewood said.
click to read more...
Friday, June 23, 2006
Breastfeeding one for the record books (www.stuff.co..z)
Television personality and mother-of-two Petra Bagust is promoting the benefits of breastfeeding.
"It's the most natural thing to do and is nutritionally the best possible start a child has," she says.
The Western Springs resident is backing a Guinness World Record breastfeeding attempt at Auckland Zoo.
"Breast milk is free but doesn't get as much marketing like most of the different baby formula products out there," she says.
"I've breastfed both my children and wanted to promote its benefits."
The August record attempt is being organised by Louise James.
It follows an unsuccessful bid last year when 664 mothers simultaneously breastfed their children.
click to read more...
"It's the most natural thing to do and is nutritionally the best possible start a child has," she says.
The Western Springs resident is backing a Guinness World Record breastfeeding attempt at Auckland Zoo.
"Breast milk is free but doesn't get as much marketing like most of the different baby formula products out there," she says.
"I've breastfed both my children and wanted to promote its benefits."
The August record attempt is being organised by Louise James.
It follows an unsuccessful bid last year when 664 mothers simultaneously breastfed their children.
click to read more...
Cross-Country Nurse-In of Victoria Secret - MotheringDotCommune Forums
A nationwide nurse-in is being planned!
Victoria's Secret has a well-documented history of hostility towards nursing mothers - and the mamas aren't going to take it anymore!
Victoria's Secret has a well-documented history of hostility towards nursing mothers - and the mamas aren't going to take it anymore!
Thursday, June 22, 2006
Masaachusetts Action Alert
Massachusetts Mamas, start gearing up... spread the word on this far and wide...
A friend of mine was refused permission to nurse in Victoria's Secret at Boston's Faneiul Hall. Jessie is mother to a lovely baby girl, Charlotte. She asked the clerk at VS if she could use a changing room for a moment to calm and nurse her little girl, and was told that company policy prohibited breastfeeding because it is unsanitary. Jessie was directed towards a bathroom instead. Jessie says, "During this entire exchange my DD had tears streaming down her face, eyebrows bright read and nuzzling my chest. I tried once more to nurse her outside, but she just wouldn't take to it. It's so hot there and can be very crowded."
If it weren't so despicable, it would be funny - Victoria's Secret is all about breasts, as long as they aren't being used for their intended purposes! Given that this exact same scenario played out last year in South Carolina and resulted in a breastfeeding-in-public law being passed, well, you'd think they'd have learned their lesson, but apparently mamas in Massachusetts are going to have to repeat it for them.
Jessie has been in touch with several local breastfeeding support organizations, will be contacting the media and her elected officials, and a nurse-in is sure to follow as well. I will keep you posted on the details via this blog as well. Feel free to leave a comment, email or IM me. I am posting this story with Jessie's permission.
A friend of mine was refused permission to nurse in Victoria's Secret at Boston's Faneiul Hall. Jessie is mother to a lovely baby girl, Charlotte. She asked the clerk at VS if she could use a changing room for a moment to calm and nurse her little girl, and was told that company policy prohibited breastfeeding because it is unsanitary. Jessie was directed towards a bathroom instead. Jessie says, "During this entire exchange my DD had tears streaming down her face, eyebrows bright read and nuzzling my chest. I tried once more to nurse her outside, but she just wouldn't take to it. It's so hot there and can be very crowded."
If it weren't so despicable, it would be funny - Victoria's Secret is all about breasts, as long as they aren't being used for their intended purposes! Given that this exact same scenario played out last year in South Carolina and resulted in a breastfeeding-in-public law being passed, well, you'd think they'd have learned their lesson, but apparently mamas in Massachusetts are going to have to repeat it for them.
Jessie has been in touch with several local breastfeeding support organizations, will be contacting the media and her elected officials, and a nurse-in is sure to follow as well. I will keep you posted on the details via this blog as well. Feel free to leave a comment, email or IM me. I am posting this story with Jessie's permission.
Moms' decision to breast-feed faces obstacles (MiamiHerald.com)
The benefits of breast-feeding are well documented in magazines, newspapers and scientific journals. However, the barriers to successful breast-feeding are less well known. And, according to a recent commentary published in the Journal of Pediatrics, these barriers can be especially challenging for working women.
In the workplace, nursing mothers may experience a lack of privacy to nurse or express milk, difficulty finding quality child care at or near the workplace, and reluctance on the part of employers to allow adequate time to express milk.
In fact, according to published reports, returning to work is commonly identified as a primary cause of early termination of breast-feeding or feeding with expressed milk.
But even among stay-at-home moms, the road to successful nursing can be rocky.
click to read more...
In the workplace, nursing mothers may experience a lack of privacy to nurse or express milk, difficulty finding quality child care at or near the workplace, and reluctance on the part of employers to allow adequate time to express milk.
In fact, according to published reports, returning to work is commonly identified as a primary cause of early termination of breast-feeding or feeding with expressed milk.
But even among stay-at-home moms, the road to successful nursing can be rocky.
click to read more...
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