Monday, August 24, 2009

NBM: Breastfeeding Around the Web


Well, we're coming to the end of another National Breastfeeding Month and BOY have there been some interesting developments in the news. First, I must tip my hat to several of my favorite fellow lactivist bloggers out there who have helped point me to many of these articles: Cate of Nature's Child and of Eco Child's Play, Motherwear's Breastfeeding Blog, and Rixa of Stand and Deliver (formerly the True Face of Birth). I'll just list a few of the more interesting I came across:

Motherwear's Breastfeeding Blog (excellent blog) recently wrote up a great review of the new children's book Mommy Breastfeeds My Baby Brother.

This isn't exactly about breastfeeding, but I had no idea that breast cancer risk was tied to bra wearing (particularly for more than 12 hours a day wearers). This is an interesting, short read.

Check out this new Breastfeeding Ad Campaign poster. Cute! And this ad campaign in Marin County, CA totally cracks me up. WOW! Oh, and this is one of the most adorable breastfeeding poster I've seen in a long, long time.

Surely you've already heard the buzz over the new Angelina Jolie Breastfeeding Sculpture. WHY is she naked?

Did everyone already see the new breastfeeding baby doll? Bebe Gloton literally translated glutinous baby) cries, nurses, and then belches (loudly). Responses are mixed: Some are glad to see a baby doll that doesn't come with a bottle and that specifically promotes breastfeeding. Some think it's pretty creepy even though they strongly advocate for breastfeeding moms. Some think breastfeeding is gross and, therefore, they think the doll is gross and inappropriate. And some think it's simply another unnecessary battery-operated toy (and that little girls can pretend to breastfeed any baby doll they own). Your thoughts?

As you would expect, there's often an August nurse-in or two that make the news like this month one happened HERE and another virtual nurse-in HERE.

A "nurse-in" is where a group of mother's come together and demonstrate their right to breastfeed in public. It is usually the result of discrimination against a breastfeeding mom despite state laws that support her right to feed her baby anywhere in public. Even during National Breastfeeding Month, this discrimination continues to happen. For example there was discrimination in an Olive Garden, a breastfeeding mom discriminated against in a science museum, another breastfeeding mom was discriminated against in an IKEA, another last year was discriminated against in McDonalds, another was discriminated against on a Delta airplane, another was discriminated against in Walmart, and the LOOOONG list goes on and on...

Know Your Rights:

FORTY-THREE states and the District of Columbia protect a breastfeeding mother's right to feed her baby in any public or private location. TWENTY-EIGHT states exempt breastfeeding from public indecency laws. TWENTY-FOUR states have laws related to breastfeeding in the workplace. TWELVE states exempt breastfeeding mothers from jury duty. And some states have specific language that allow a mother legal retribution against those who seek to oppress her breastfeeding rights.

Do you know what YOUR state laws say? Take a moment to find out RIGHT HERE.

Other sources and websites for further reading:
La Leche League: http://www.llli.org
Kelly Mom Breastfeeding Site: http://www.kellymom.com/
US Dept of Heath and Human Services http://www.blsmeetings.net/owh_call_to_action_on_breastfeeding/


Please click ♥ thoughtful comments ♥ (below) to let me know you stopped by. If you don't have a google or gmail account, just choose "Name/URL" or "anonymous" before submitting. THANK YOU!

10 ♥ thoughtful comments ♥:

Lenetta said...

Clicked through to "Angelina". 1) Weird expression on her face 2) no one could nurse twins like that without a support pillow 3) doesn't look like her 4) Agree, why naked? though 5) I appreciate the tummy paunch! :>)

septembermom said...

You are my "link master". Thanks so much for these informative links. The Angelina statue definitely makes a statement. I think the nudity isn't necessary for the sculpture. Maybe a goddess like dress would have made it look even better. I think it's great that all those breastfeeding moms take a stand with a nurse-in. The only way that people will get over all their nursing in public hangups is if moms stand up for our right to choose how we feed our babies. I will look at all your links later during lunch. I know that I'll enjoy them. Thanks again!

Gina said...

Strange sculpture- because I ALWAYS nursed naked...

lislynn said...

Love all the links! Can't imagine how you have the time to find all this stuff! You must be sooo much better organized than I :)

Niecey said...

Excellent, resourceful post. Thank you. I starred it and will come back for reference in future. Must have taken a while to put together and I appreciate it.

And I think the breastfeeding doll is great. Sure, kids could and should and do use their imagination. They also love dolls that move. Heck, so do I. I've bought them dolls which move their mouths when a bottle or paci is placed in, even though previously I wouldn't buy them dolls with bottles. But they were desperate for the moving ones. I think it's awesome to have one which moves it's mouth to breastfeed. About time, I say.

2Shaye ♪♫ said...

@Lynetta~ Yeah, it all looked unnatural (except it's nice to see a real after-pregnancy tummy).

@sept~ You know, I've been back and forth on the statue. Since so many are immediately offended at the public nudity, I just hope that the whole idea of breastfeeding won't get lost in the message.

@Gina~ LOL Yeah, in the middle of the park, right?

@Herb~ haha, NOT! I mark a lot of stuff, save 'em all up, and then put them all in one post over a period of several days. That's why I only seem to post 2-3 times a week I guess. LOL

2Shaye ♪♫ said...

Awww Niecey, you sneaky thing, you. You posted while I was posting!

Yeah, there are a lot of strong opinions out there as I've been finding multiple posts on this doll. I've heard from families who are jumping for joy (heading off to buy it immediately) and others who think it's just another gimmic to makes some manufacture rich off breastfeeding families.

sujata sengupta said...

really why is she naked? and why her eyes closed? She looks quite ghastly, there isnt even any love on her face!! Loved the links and the information Shaye. Keep up the great work!!
HUGS
sujata

2Shaye ♪♫ said...

Thank you, Sujata! I like that one month out of the year I have every excuse to blog about this subject every day of the month if I want to. It's all about informing. Even I learn something new (all the time).

♥ Boomer ♥ said...

Ola! Is that how you spell it? I have a special post ready for tomorrow.

A BIG day, huh?!

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