Wet Set
Gazette: Nov/Dec 2003
Become a Breastfeeding Advocate
Join the Breastfeeding Task Force of Greater Los Angeles
by Karen Peters, Executive Director of the Breastfeeding Task
Force of Greater Los Angeles
The Breastfeeding Task Force of Greater Los Angeles is a group of
dedicated volunteers who believe that infant and family health can
be improved by making breastfeeding the cultural norm. We work to
create a supportive public environment and strive to improve rates
of initiation and duration of breastfeeding. We are an inclusive
organization with no dues or membership fees. We are a group of
parents and professionals and meet quarterly to network with other
breastfeeding advocates and to get updates on Task Force committee
activities. (For meeting dates and times, click on “Upcoming
Meetings” at
www.breastfeedla.org)
Why did I become a breastfeeding
advocate?
Breastfeeding my infants was
something I began because I was so impressed by the biologic
specificity of breastmilk. The immune and nutritional qualities of
human milk really impressed me. I wanted the best food for my baby.
Breastfeeding my babies as they grew
older was something I continued because I learned good mothering
through breastfeeding. I learned to follow my child’s lead at the
breast and then used that experience as a metaphor for parenting.
Staying connected to my children has continued into their
adolescence. I relish the time I spend with my teens, in part,
because we established good communication early in life.
Joining the Breastfeeding Task Force
was something I did because my friend and mentor, Chele Marmet, the
founder of the Lactation Institute in Encino, told me I should do
so. Like breastfeeding for the nutritional qualities of breastmilk,
this was a decision based on intellect and following direction.
Advice from Chele was a powerful motivator for me.
Staying involved with the
Breastfeeding Task Force was something I continued because it
fulfilled my need to influence others about he importance of
breastfeeding. When I attend the quarterly meeting I get to be with
other women who care deeply about empowering families to breastfeed.
When I am discouraged about the barriers to breastfeeding, I feel
better knowing that others are working to overcome them throughout
Los Angeles County. Like learning about good mothering through
breastfeeding, I am learning about advocacy though the Task Force.
How can you join the Breastfeeding
Task Force?
There are no dues or membership fees
to join the Breastfeeding Task Force. You can subscribe to the
electronic newsletter for free. Click on ‘Subscribe Newsletter’ at
www.breastfeedla.org. You
can attend the free quarterly meetings as often as you like. We
encourage you to volunteer for a project that you are interested in
supporting or you can just come to network if you would like.
Parents and professionals alike participate in the Task Force.
I urge you to get involved in the
Breastfeeding Task Force. Come to the next meeting. It will be on
January 7, 2004, from 11 to 2 pm at the South LA Health Projects WIC office at 2930
Imperial Highway on the 6th floor. The hostess is Deborah Myers and
she can be reached at 323-757-7244 ext 225. We work through lunch to
avoid the early and late traffic, so bring your own food. You may
bring your baby if he or she is in arms or a non-separating toddler.
Remember that older children may become bored and would be happier
elsewhere.
Ongoing Breastfeeding Task Force
Activities include:
-
National Breastfeeding Media Campaign: Launching: Fall 2003.
We are conducting
Grassroots Media Outreach, and helpline and website response
with a grant from the Department of Health and Human Services
Office on Women’s Health. Do you have media or celebrity
contacts? Reach us at
psa@breastfeedla.org.
- Website: Look to us for a
variety of breastfeeding resources, organizational links, and
updates on our seminars and activities, as well as breaking news
on breastfeeding issues. Check it out at
www.breastfeedla.org.
- Quarterly Meetings: Meet and
network with breastfeeding advocates from throughout the county.
Get updates on our seminars and activities. Find out ways you
can become involved in breastfeeding promotion in Los Angeles.
- Electronic Newsletter: Subscribe
to our monthly newsletter to learn about hot breastfeeding
issues and Task Force activities. Click on Subscribe Newsletter
on the homepage at
www.breastfeedla.org. Submit ideas
and articles.
- Professional Education: Attend
our continuing education seminars throughout Los Angeles County.
We feature nationally and internationally renowned breastfeeding
advocates as speakers. Host a seminar: contact us to hold a
seminar at your facility. Participate in planning and
implementation. Volunteers coordinate with local hospitals,
design and distribute brochures, contact speakers, apply for
continuing education credits, register attendees and staff the
Task Force tables at the events. This committee is actively
recruiting new volunteers to help with the 2004 seminar series.
- Breastfeeding Resource
Directory: This free publication lists lactation services,
breastfeeding classes, people who can help with a breastfeeding
problem, hospitals, clinics, WIC programs, La Leche League
warmlines and more. The pamphlet can be viewed by clicking on
Breastfeeding Resource Directory 2003 at
www.breastfeedla.org.
We distribute them to hospitals and clinics throughout the
county. You can volunteer to help contact people to be listed in
the directory. This involves phone and email follow up.
- Breastfeeding Works: We educate
employers about the benefits of supporting breastfeeding
employees and how to comply with the Lactation Accommodation Law
(AB 1025). Nominate companies for the Breastfeeding Friendly
Employer Award.
- Grant writing: We seek
volunteers to identify, write, and/or review grant applications.
- Legislation & Public Policy:
Promote Breastfeeding Friendly public policy.
- New projects: There is so much
that can be done, we are always open to new ideas and new
volunteers to implement them.
So you want to get involved, but
cannot come to the next meeting? You can subscribe to the
newsletter, or you can call or email me. Leave me a message at
213-596-5776 and I will return your call. Or email me at
kpeters@breastfeedla.org.
If you feel passionate about changing
our culture, if you would like to be part of a dynamic, growing
organization, if you want to drop in and see what we are all about,
join the Breastfeeding Task Force of Greater Los Angeles today.
