“Breastfeeding: It’s Your Right” is this year’s theme for the annual World Breastfeeding Week, to be celebrated Aug. 1-7.

Locally, breastfeeding advocates have been preparing for the observance by determining which area businesses are “Breastfeeding Friendly Establishments.” There are also local resources which can help an expectant mother prepare for breastfeeding, as well as support and information for new mothers which will help them to breastfeed successfully.
According to the International Lactation Consultant Association, when a mother chooses to breastfeed, she is giving herself and her baby a healthy start.

“Although most of us may not think of breastfeeding as a right, it certainly is important in assuring an infant’s right to enjoy the highest attainable standard of health,” the association says. “Breast milk is the best food for infants, providing complete nutrition for about the first six months of life, as well as providing immunities to many common illnesses.”
The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that babies be breastfed until at least one year of age.

This year’s World Breastfeeding Week theme highlights the fact that women have the right to breastfeed, to receive factual information, and to be protected from outside interference when breastfeeding.

Bonny Skovbroten, RN, IBCLC, president of the association, says that protecting a mother’s right to breastfeed has become increasingly important. More an more, those who choose to breastfeed are encountering barriers in the workplace, in health care and in their communities, Skovbroten said.

In Potter County, efforts are underway to determine which business establishments are “Breastfeeding Friendly,” meeting criteria established by the Pa. Mid-State Lactation Coalition.
So far, organizations which have responded by filling out a questionnaire, are Charles Cole Hospital, Hotel Crittenden and Richar Insurance. These businesses and others who respond will be supplied with window decals recognizing their facilities as breastfeeding friendly establishments.

ILCA and local advocates are attempting to create a positive environment by educating communities about the benefits of breastfeeding. “When citizens see breastfeeding as the normal, best way to grow healthy babies, then there is less need for legal protections,” Skovbroten says. “

Businesses see the win-win nature of supporting breastfeeding among both their employees and their customers. Families will support places that are not only child-friendly, but also breastfeeding-friendly.”

Over the past six years, 19 states have passed laws affirming a mother’s right to breastfeed in public situations and protecting her from harassment. In 1999, Congress passed a law allowing mothers to breastfeed on federal property, including National Parks and Post Offices.
At least two cases illustrate that legislation alone has not guaranteed protections. This year, a breastfeeding mother in Idaho was held in contempt of court when she refused to serve on a jury, despite the fact that she was exempt under Idaho law. A Minnesota law protecting and supporting breastfeeding at the worksite was called upon to support a mother who had been fired from her job. Bother these cases were settled out of court, with judgements favorable to the mother.

At the 1999 International Labour Organisation (ILO) Conference on Maternity Protection, the World Health Organization stated “It is important for women to have a working schedule that permits exclusive breastfeeding for the first four to six months of their babies’ lives, both for the child’s health and for women’s health. If there is no possibility of breaks from work during the first four to six months, this will increase the risk of a new pregnancy soon after the previous birth, with possible detrimental health effects such as anemia, serious birthing complications, and low birth weight of the child.” UNICEF stated, “Exclusive breastfeeding can contribute to significantly reducing the incidence, severity and duration of common illnesses among newborns, in particular upper respiratory infection, gastrointestinal infection and otitis media. Indeed breastfed infants are also at a lower risk of developing juvenile onset diabetes and certain childhood lymphomas. Breastfeeding reduces infant mortality. The report also recognizes the health benefits for breastfeeding mothers, including a lower lifetime risk of breast and ovarian cancer an asteoporosis.”

For more information about the benefits of breastfeeding and the right of mothers to breastfeed, contact Donna Batterson at Charles Cole Hospital’s Healthy Beginnings program, 274-9300, ext. 1487.

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