Wet Set
Gazette: June/July 2004
Mothers for Breastfeeding:
Mothers Join Forces with Professionals to Advocate for Breastfeeding
By Ellen Steinberg, RN, IBCLC, Julie Gelfand, Luciana Dar, and Liz
Sidener
Mothers for Breastfeeding is a group for mothers who believe that
breastfeeding provides their infants with the healthiest way to
start off their young lives. These women have come together with
this common bond, and with the goal of helping to make their world a
more “breastfeeding friendly” place. Mothers for Breastfeeding is an
auxiliary of the Breastfeeding Task Force of Greater Los Angeles.
What does it take to be successful at breastfeeding? What can we do
to be sure that more women will achieve success?
Education - 90% of breastfeeding mothers report that they made their
decision to breastfeed their babies prior to giving birth. Women who
receive prenatal breastfeeding education and counseling understand
that breastmilk is the ideal food for babies, and that “babies were
born to be breastfed”. These women will usually choose to
breastfeed.
Support - A supportive breastfeeding environment begins with
encouragement and correct, consistent information from health care
providers during pregnancy, but continues through the hospital stay
and after discharge. Support from family and friends who agree that
“breast is best” can go a long way to assist a new mother in her
breastfeeding effort. If “it takes a village” to raise a child, then
it also takes a supportive social structure and cultural climate to
assure breastfeeding success. When breastfeeding mothers are offered
support in the workplace, and nursing in public is considered both
normal and appropriate, breastfeeding mothers are more likely to
continue breastfeeding for a longer period of time.
Determination - Although some women are lucky enough to have an easy
initial breastfeeding experience, many women find that breastfeeding
is not as “natural” as they had expected. When breastfeeding is
painful, or a baby doesn’t take to it immediately, a mother must
take the initiative to seek help. When breastfeeding is not easy,
and the mother is exhausted, worried and frustrated, she must have
inner strength to get through these difficult times.
Recommendations - Both the American Academy of Pediatrics and the
World Health Organization recommend that babies be exclusively
breastfed for approximately 6 months, and that breastfeeding should
continue along with complimentary foods for 1-2 years. In Los
Angeles County, over 80% of new mothers initiate breastfeeding. But
half of these women are combining breastfeeding with formula. By 6
months, only slightly more than 40% of women are still doing any
breastfeeding.
Public Policy - With the invention and mass-marketing of infant
formula, over the last century the United States has developed a
bottle-feeding culture. It has now become necessary to enact laws
which protect breastfeeding mothers and babies. California law
states that “A mother may breastfeed her child in any location where
the mother and child are authorized to be present.” California law
also requires “all California employers to provide break time and a
private space, other than a toilet stall, to accommodate an employee
desiring to express breastmilk for her baby.”
Breastfeeding in Public - Do you feel comfortable breastfeeding in
public places? Have you always found a comfortable place to
breastfeed your baby when you are shopping? Have you ever received
critical looks or comments from others when you are discreetly
breastfeeding in public? Or worse, have you ever been asked to stop
breastfeeding or to leave? Does your employer provide you with a
private place to pump your breastmilk and time to do so?
Breastfeeding Friendly Business Program - One of the goals of
Mothers for Breastfeeding is to identify employers and businesses
that have demonstrated their support for breastfeeding. The
Breastfeeding Task Force has designed a Breastfeeding Works program
to educate employers about the benefits of breastfeeding both for
the families and for the businesses. For example, breastfeeding
mothers miss fewer days of work because their children are
healthier. Mothers for Breastfeeding has developed the Breastfeeding
Friendly Business program which recognizes businesses that provide
superior support for their breastfeeding employees, as well as those
businesses that go out of their way to welcome breastfeeding
patrons. Businesses that receive Breastfeeding-Friendly designation
are given window decals and award certificates to display. These
businesses are also listed on the Mothers for Breastfeeding website.
Please visit us at
www.breastfeedla.org and click on Mothers for Breastfeeding.
Breastfeeding Stories - Also on the website you will find
breastfeeding stories that have been submitted by women who
recognize that mother-to-mother support is often invaluable. Many of
the women involved in Mothers for Breastfeeding have experienced
their share of struggles. When you read their stories you may find
that you take comfort in knowing that you’re not alone in having
breastfeeding difficulties. But when you achieve your goals you will
develop self-confidence as well as a very special bond with your
baby. If you have a breastfeeding story that you would like to
submit, please send it to
info@breastfeedla.org.
Gift Items and Photo Contest - In order to help create more
breastfeeding awareness, Mothers for Breastfeeding is designing gift
items such as greeting cards, pens, t-shirts and jewelry. These
items will be available for purchase on the Breastfeeding Task Force
website. We are organizing a photo contest for pictures of
breastfeeding mothers and babies. The winning photos will be used in
a calendar which will encourage new moms to nurse their babies and
keep track of the many milestones that a baby goes through in that
first precious year.
National Breastfeeding Awareness Campaign - Mothers for
Breastfeeding also supports the advocacy efforts of the
Breastfeeding Task Force of Greater Los Angeles. One area of focus
is National Breastfeeding Awareness Campaign which is scheduled to
launch this summer. The federal government, in cooperation with the
Ad Council, has designed an advertising campaign to promote
breastfeeding. Look for public service announcements on TV and
radio, as well as print ads in newspapers and magazines, on
billboards and buses. The slogan is “Babies Were Born to Be
Breastfed.”
Mother’s comments –
Luciana:”The reason I joined Mothers for Breastfeeding is my desire
to see women having more information and resources that will allow
them to choose to breastfeed and be successful in that experience.
The positive implications of that choice are so many that we as a
society should be committed to promoting awareness of the health,
psychological and emotional benefits of breastfeeding our babies. I
feel that the bond we create with our babies when breastfeeding is
unique, an irreplaceable experience. I hope that as many women as
possible get the chance to live through it. Working with Mothers for
Breastfeeding is one way to work towards that goal.”
Julie: “While the women who participate in Mothers for Breastfeeding
are working hard to achieve their many goals, they also have become
a wonderful mother-to-mother support group. We have mothers of all
ages, with children of all ages, some still nursing, some finished a
long time ago. It’s a terrific group of women who have all
experienced the highs and sometimes the lows of breastfeeding. It is
reassuring to know that there are other women out there who can
offer help, advice and support as we all go through this amazing
time with our babies.“
Meetings - Mothers for Breastfeeding is seeking more individuals to
become involved with our many exciting projects. Mothers for
Breastfeeding meets on the 2nd Saturday of each month in the Dance
Room of Tarzana Park, located at 5655 Vanalden Avenue in Tarzana.
(Directions: Take Tampa one block north of 101 Fwy. Turn right at
Hatteras. Go 2 blocks to the park. Follow the signs to the meeting
room.)
The Breastfeeding Task Force of Greater Los Angeles is a volunteer
organization with the mission to improve infant and family health by
making breastfeeding the cultural norm in Los Angeles. The Task
Force seeks to create a supportive public environment for
breastfeeding and to improve the rates of initiation and duration of
breastfeeding in LA County. Until recently, most Breastfeeding Task
Force volunteers have been health professionals who are
breastfeeding advocates. Now there is a forum for mothers who would
like to get involved. It is called Mothers for Breastfeeding.
Please visit us at our website:
www.breastfeedla.org and
click on Mothers for Breastfeeding. Email:
info@breastfeedla.org,
phone/fax 213-596-5776.
Bio: Ellen Steinberg is on the Board of Directors of the
Breastfeeding Task Force of Greater Los Angeles and is the
facilitator of Mothers for Breastfeeding. In her private practice as
an International Board Certified Lactation Consultant, she makes
home visits for breastfeeding consultations, rents and sells
breastpumps and other breastfeeding items, teaches prenatal
breastfeeding classes and runs a breastfeeding support group for
mothers of babies up to 8 months old.
