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World Breastfeeding Week Aug 1-7

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This Sunday marked the start date of International Breastfeeding Week. I thought I would just talk a little bit about what that means. The icon above is the international symbol for breastfeeding. Of course, it is similar to the signs we see as "Male" and "Female" when looking for restrooms, but with this sign has come much support of breastfeeding women! There are now places specifically for nursing moms and their babies to go to sit down in peace and quiet, and nurse in privacy. This symbol is also used to support breastfeeding mothers, where ever that may be. It's a pledge to turn around our nations' health crisis by starting when babies are infants, by breastfeeding.

From WHO (World Health Organization)'s website on World Breastfeeding Week:

"World Breastfeeding Week is celebrated every year from 1 to 7 August in more than 120 countries to encourage breastfeeding and improve the health of babies around the world. It commemorates the Innocenti Declaration made by WHO and UNICEF policy-makers in August 1990 to protect, promote and support breastfeeding.
Breastfeeding is the best way to provide newborns with the nutrients they need. WHO recommends exclusive breastfeeding until a baby is six months old, and continued breastfeeding with the addition of nutritious complementary foods for up to two years or beyond."

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Breastfeeding is definitely a tricky and exhausting thing to learn, especially if you are a first time mom. To be honest, it didn't really *click* with my oldest, my son, until he was about 6 weeks old. Of course he was being fed, I just wasn't very comfortable with the whole ordeal. Everything I kept reading, and two of my friends who are very supportive of breastfeeding encouraged me through that trying time (and wouldn't ya know, I did have a problem...seems I could have fed triplets!) and I'm so glad I went on to nurse him for a year, then my second, my daughter, for over a year.
Align yourselves with plenty of support and don't give up! It's such a great feeling to bond with your baby during the crazy post partum hormones with a bit of peace, quiet, and comfort.
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This will be my only post or mention about World Breastfeeding Week, but I wanted to share a lot of my favorite articles, blog posts, and websites that encourage nursing.
  • My favorite parenting magazine, Mothering, has loads and loads of info on breastfeeding. From community chat forums on the 'hows, whys, and whats' to great articles, this is an encouraging place to look.
  • LaLecheLeague is an organization that encourages breastfeeding across the world. There are local chapters all over the country, and even our (relatively small) town has one! I have never been to a meeting, but a friend who was a leader in a LLL group helped me tremendously those first hazy weeks of nursing Lukka.
  • What to do with a low milk supply? Great info from KeeperoftheHome and Passionate Homemaking.
  • Local? Head over to Milkworks. They are the most fantastic lactation consultants that run a non-profit. They help with refugee mothers, first time nervous moms, and everyone in between with breastfeeding issues. Their store, Babyworks, sells pumps, clothing & bras, toys, blankets, cloth diapers, and more. The sales from babyworks goes toward bettering the community through education on Breastfeeding. they even hold classes & support groups, often free!
  • Herbs for the New Mama, a post written by Stefani of Keeper of the Home about increasing supply, being calm, and helping your body naturally through the adjustment period of post-partum.
  • A little new to the game of nursing or not quite comfortable in public? These "hooter hiders" or "nursing covers" are all over the marketplace. Wish I had had one for my kiddos!

Have any great online resources for me? Leave them in the comments!

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