Happy World Breastfeeding Week and Welcome Ella!

This fall Lamaze Family Center welcomes our student intern, Ella Clark. Ella is a senior at EMU majoring in Women's Studies. As part of her internship she will be researching and writing occasional blog posts here on the Lamaze Family Center blog. In honor of World Breastfeeding Week, she has compiled some information and resources which you can find below. Welcome Ella, and happy World Breastfeeding Week to all the breastfeeding moms past, present, and future out there!

Breastfeeding Awareness Week 2014: “A Winning Goal For Life!”

August 1st 2014 marked the beginning of the 22nd annual World Breastfeeding Week (WBW), sponsored by the World Alliance for Breastfeeding Action (WABA).  The United States is one of 175 countries to participate in this yearly event which seeks to promote and encourage breastfeeding worldwide.  Groups of breastfeeding mothers and their supporters have participated in WBW events across Michigan, including Kalamazoo’s second annual event known as the Big Latch On where over 100 women publically breastfed their children in unison. Women who choose to breastfeed in public, such as those who attended the Kalamazoo event, have recently gained more protection from the state.  Mid June of this year, the Michigan Legislature passed the Breastfeeding Antidiscrimination Act, which states that women have the right to breastfeed in any public location throughout Michigan without fear of penalty or repercussion.  Demonstrations such as the Big Latch On and the recent passing of the breastfeeding bill show that Michigan’s residents have made strides toward accepting breastfeeding as a normal part of childrearing.  In fact, a recent report by The Detroit Free Press indicates that the number of infants breastfed in Michigan is increasing.    

According to the Michigan Department of Community Health and the World Health Organization (WHO) breastfeeding has a wide range of benefits:  

-Breast milk changes with your child's nutritional needs

-Breast milk protects children against certain allergies and illnesses including obesity, diabetes and pneumonia

-Breastfeeding produces no waste  

-Breastfeeding saves the family money that would be spent on formula

-Breast milk is clean

-Reducing the Mother’s risk of type 2 diabetes and certain forms of cancer

-Breastfeeding strengthens the bond between mother and child

Along with understanding the benefits of breastfeeding it is important that women who choose to breastfeed also feel their decision to do so is supported by those around them.   In honor of World Breastfeeding Week the WHO has created several informational posters about supporting a mother’s decision to breastfeed.

For those in the Ann Arbor area, the Lamaze Family Center of Ann Arbor hosts a number of classes designed to assist women and their partners who wish learn the breastfeeding basics and how to continuing breastfeeding through your transition back to the workplace.  If you are a Lamaze educator or would like to learn more about Lamaze International’s role in Breastfeeding Awareness Week take a look at what Lamaze’s Science and Sensibility blog has to say.  

More support for breastfeeding moms...

Any mom who has ever breastfed knows that breastfeeding in public can be a daunting experience. On the one hand, breastfeeding is super convenient and it is great to be able to feed your baby anytime, without much planning. On the other hand, it can be nerve-wracking to breastfeed in a new location, and many moms may worry about how they will be seen by others.

Two recent developments lend more support to moms who want to breastfeed in public. In December, a bill protecting the right of mothers to breastfeed in public in Michigan unanimously passed the Senate Judiciary Committee and now moves to the whole Senate for confirmation. Passage of the bill would ensure that no breastfeeding mom could be asked to leave a restaurant or other venue because of breastfeeding.

Just in the past week, Pope Francis told mothers that he supports mothers who breastfeed in public, and even encouraged them to breastfeed in holy sites such as churches and the Sistine Chapel. Stated the pope, "If they are hungry, mothers, let them eat, no worries, because here, they are the main focus."

We hope that this news gives all the mamas out there the courage to breastfeed when it is convenient for them and their little ones, not just when it is convenient for others. And remember, you are always welcome to feed your little ones at our office!

Breastfeeding Facts

In honor of World Breastfeeding Week, here are some fun facts about breastfeeding:

How Many Women Breastfeed?

• According to the CDC's 2013 Breastfeeding Report Card, 76% of US women start out breastfeeding their children. By 6 months, 49% of moms are breastfeeding, and by 12 months only 27% are still breastfeeding. 
• In Michigan 75% of moms start out breastfeeding, but only 22.8% are doing so at 12 months. data from cdc.gov
• Nationwide, 7% of babies are born in a "Baby-Friendly Facility" ( an accreditation program based on recommendations from WHO and UNICEF, that was designed to encourage and recognize hospitals and birthing center that offer an optimal level of care for infant care and mother/baby bonding). data from cdc.gov
• In Michigan, only .55% of births occur at a "Baby-Friendly Facility." data from cdc.gov

The Health Benefits of Breastfeeding data from surgeongeneral.gov:

• Breastfeeding protects babies from infections and illnesses, including diarrhea, ear infections, and pneumonia.
• Breastfed babies are less likely to develop asthma.
• Children who are breastfed for 6 months or longer are less likely to become obese.
• Breastfeeding reduces the risk of SIDS.
• Mothers who breastfeed have a decreased risk of breast and ovarian cancers.

The Economic Benefits of Breastfeeding data from surgeongeneral.gov:

• Families who breastfeed can save between $1,200 and $1, 500 in expenditures on infant formula in one year.
• It is estimated that if 90% of US households followed guidelines to breastfeed exclusively for 6 months, the US would save $13 billion annually from reduced medical and other costs.
• Breastfeeding leads to better infant health, which means fewer health insurance claims, less employee time off to care for sick kids, and higher productivity.

How Long Should a Mother Breastfeed?:

• The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends that breastfeeding continue for at least 12 months, and thereafter for as long as mother and baby desire. The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends continued breastfeeding up to 2 years of age and beyond. data from cdc.gov

Although breastfeeding is natural, it is not always easy, and many women quit breastfeeding because they are frustrated, or don't have good support. At the Lamaze Family Center Ann Arbor, we offer two main breastfeeding classes: Breastfeeding 101 and the Breastfeeding Obstacle Course. The first is meant to be taken before birth and covers breastfeeding basics. The Breastfeeding Obstacle Course builds upon information in Breastfeeding 101 is a guide to the common pitfalls and challenges of breastfeeding. You can learn more about our courses here.

Thanks to all the moms out there who breastfeed, and have a great World Breastfeeding Week!