World Breastfeeding Week

Did you know that it is World Breastfeeding Week?  I didn't even know such a thing existed until a couple of weeks ago, but apparently this is the 20th time it has been held.  So what is World Breastfeeding Week?

"World Breastfeeding Week is celebrated every year from 1 to 7 August in more than 170 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."

*From http://www.who.int/mediacentre/events/annual/world_breastfeeding_week/en/index.html

Now, let's remember this is not about moms and their choices.  This is about babies, children, and the future.  There is rarely a person who will say breastfeeding is no better than formula, and I have never heard a person claim that formula is actually better than breastfeeding.  So let's put the mommy wars aside and really think about this mission.

Breastfeeding provides babies with milk from the source, ever-changing composition that grows with the child!  It provides a connection between mom and baby that is, frankly, an amazing thing to be a part of.  And you know what?  It's the right of mothers and babies to have this bond and share these moments.  It is the right of every mother and baby to breastfeed, and we should start treating it that way.  With rights come support systems.  Everyone has a right to food, so when a member of our society struggles to afford food, we give them access to WIC, SNAP, and food banks.  Everyone has a right to medical care, so when someone has an accident or illness and struggles to afford the necessary care, we provide them with access to medicaid, low-cost clinics, or pro-bono services.  So if breastfeeding is a right, then when someone struggles with breastfeeding, we should provide them with access to information, support, assistance, Supplemental Nursing Systems, and donor milk.  Why don't we look at this the same as we do our other rights?

Breastfeeding is the biological norm, and (again no mommy wars here) everyone who wants to breastfeed should be supported in engaging in their right to do so.  The laws support breastfeeding, but the people do not.  Breastfeeding is seen as gross and something to be hidden.  Your baby is hungry in public?  I hope you've pumped your milk so you can give him a bottle.  You're hungry at the same time as your baby?  I hope you don't mind waiting to eat, so that you can go somewhere else to feed her because I don't want to watch you while I eat.  Your baby is hungry in public and there's no nursing room available?  I hope you don't mind feeding your baby where others are disposing of their bodily wastes and flushing toilets that spray germs up to 10 inches into the air that settle on bathroom surfaces and remain for more than 90 minutes.  These responses are not okay.  They are not supported by the breastfeeding laws or common human decency.  Let's start working towards a solution.

Babies need to eat.  No one is denying that.  Babies need to eat when they are hungry and do not have the ability to understand that their food source is stigmatized.  So the next time you are out and see a mother breastfeeding her baby in public, give her a smile, a thumbs up, or a supportive nod.  And if someone else gives her a grimace or tells her to cover up or go to the bathroom, suggest they mind their own business and let the family care for the baby in the way that is best for that baby.  Let her see the support that our society can give.  And do it whether you breastfeed or formula feed because we are all mothers doing the best we can with the knowledge we have.  And that's okay.

For more information on World Breastfeeding Week, visit www.worldbreastfeedingweek.org

Screen Free Wednesday

This year, my family participated in Screen Free Week for the first time.  It did amazing things for my family, so we decided to continue with a Screen Free Wednesday each week.  We have fallen off the wagon a bit, but we are getting back on.  We are starting homeschool on the 6th, and with that, we will reinstate Screen Free Wednesday.  I encourage you to pick a day and go screen free.  Set what works for your family, once a week, twice a week, twice a month, etc.

So what does a screen free day entail?  No TV, no movies, no internet, no video games, no computer.  It sounds daunting; believe me, I understand.  And it is because it seems so daunting that it is so necessary.  There is nothing more important in this world than the relationships you build.  And let me tell you, relationships are not built online!  Can you cultivate a relationship online?  Sure, but that's probably not what you are doing on there.  Maybe you are reading blogs (and please do!) or looking at Pinterest.  Maybe you are on Facebook or Twitter.  But you know where you aren't?  Present with the people in the room.  People often say presence is the best gift you can give your child.  I disagree.  I think presence is a necessity that should not be saved for special occasions.  Pull it out daily and give it freely.

The next screen free week is scheduled for April 29th through May 5th of 2013.  Leading up to that week, I will be posting ideas for activities to do with your family, and each Thursday, I will try to recap our Screen Free Wednesday activities from the previous day so that you and your family can have some ideas for your own screen free day.


Take a little time to disconnect to reconnect.  Your family will thank you!