As women continue to fight for breastfeeding rights in the workplace, it is inspiring to read the story of former Georgia state representative Sally Harrell featured by Katherine Kam in the Babytalk magazine article “The Breastfeeding Mom’s Bill of Rights“: [T]he more women who are out there speaking up for their rights, the more the prejudices will get chipped away. Georgia state representative Sally Harrell is one such trailblazer. When her son, Joseph, was 10 days old, the state House of Representatives went back into session. “I decided that because he was so young, I would take him with me.” Not everyone was welcoming; in fact, several other representatives told the house speaker that they objected. “It’s... [Read more]

Sadly, breastfeeding discrimination continues, as evidenced by the following stories of 2009: Image courtesy of David Siqueira 1. Denny’s Restaurant harasses nursing mother. After Crystal Everitt was asked to cover up while breastfeeding at an Asheville, North Carolina, Denny’s restaurant, the regional management issued an unsatisfactory response. Local breastfeeding supporters went ahead with a nurse-in at the restaurant. 2. Dear Abby on pumping at work. Back in March, advice columnist Abigail Van Buren rightfully advised a woman not to be ashamed of pumping at work, but she failed to point out that a bathroom is not a pumping room and that California law protects pumping mothers in the workplace. The following June, the Dear Abby... [Read more]

In addition to the report of yet another breastfeeding discrimination incident that I discussed here, three stories caught my eye today. AIDS Awareness ribbons; Photo by Subhadip Mukherjee1. Tanya at the Motherwear Breastfeeding Blog presents some timely news for World AIDS Day. The World Health Organization announced big changes in the breastfeeding recommendation for HIV-positive mothers in developing countries. In general, HIV-positive mothers are advised to feed their babies breast milk substitutes only if it is “acceptable, feasible, affordable, sustainable and safe.” If such feeding is not acceptable, feasible, affordable and safe, then mothers in developing countries were formerly advised to breastfeed exclusively for the... [Read more]

Sadly I can’t say it surprised me to read that a breastfeeding mother in Michigan was forced to leave a Target store by the police. After all, on a recent visit to Target to buy a baby-related item, I received a coupon for artificial baby milk with my receipt. That certainly isn’t the mark of a breastfeeding-friendly corporation. The ironically nipple-like Target bullseye; Photo by TheTruthAbout... MyFOXDetroit.com reports that on Sunday at the Target store in Harper Woods, Michigan, the mother of a 4-week-old baby was told by security that breastfeeding in the store was illegal. When the mother and her off-duty police officer husband disagreed, the police were called and the mother was so embarrassed that she felt forced to leave... [Read more]

The news in 2009 highlighted several benefits of breastfeeding for both breastfeeding mothers themselves and their nurslings. Here are some of the top stories: Photo courtesy of Nicolas Raymond 1. Heart health for breastfeeding mothers. A study of 140,000 post-menopausal women revealed several heart health benefits of breastfeeding. Women who breastfed their babies had lower incidence of diabetes, high blood pressure and high cholesterol. Women who breastfed for seven months or more were significantly less likely to develop heart disease. Women who breastfed for a cumulative 12 months or more in their lifetimes had a 10% lower incidence of heart attack, stroke, or heart disease later in life. 2. Lower risk of breast cancer for women with family... [Read more]