FirstRight encourages all breastfeeding advocates to make calls to their local Denny’s restaurants and franchises to inquire about their breastfeeding policy and encourage them to adopt policies that are at minimum in accordance with applicable state laws. Contact information for local Denny’s restaurants can be found at the Denny’s Store Locator.

FirstRight also recommends making calls (1-800-733-6697 and also 864-597-8000) and emails to the Denny’s Headquarters through their online contact form to support them in adopting a brand-wide breastfeeding friendly policy that includes training of all employees. FirstRight asks those who contact Denny’s to email a summary of their conversation to taskforce@firstright.org including the restaurant location and name and title of the employee with whom you spoke.

FirstRight expects that these actions will support Denny’s in clarifying in the coming weeks their willingness to follow state laws and their desire to welcome breastfeeding mothers. If this is not the case, further actions may be considered by FirstRight at that time.

Post from: Breastfeeding 1-2-3

BIP is unsanitary! You don’t know what’s in that bottle! It could be formula, it could be breast milk, and it could be unsanitary! Who knows whether that bottle was properly prepared. Fight disease, fight BIP!

BIP leads to spitting up! Bottlefeeding a baby in public can lead to copious amounts of spit up. What if a baby spits up and ruins the carpeting or furniture upholstery in a business? You don’t think those Bottlefeeding Parents are going to offer to pay, do you?

BIP leads to, um, other things! Bottlefeeding may be natural, but so is urinating and defecating and you wouldn’t urinate or defecate in public, would you? And what’s worse is bottlefeeding leads to urinating and defecating!

BIP is done to get attention! Be aware, be prepared! Bottlefeeding Parents might try to argue that BIP is done for the baby who needs to eat, but that baby doesn’t need to eat! Bottlefeeding Parents are just doing it for the attention! They whip out that bottle, and sometimes they hold the bottle in full view, including the nipple!

BIP can be done in the bathroom! If a baby really needs to eat, that baby can be fed in the bathroom, preferably in a stall while the Bottlefeeding Parent sits on the toilet. And the Bottlefeeding Parent can eat there too.

BIP should be done under a blanket! Carry a blanket with you at all times so you can offer it to the Bottlefeeding Parent to cover up. If you’re really feeling bold, throw that blanket over the baby without asking! It doesn’t matter if it’s hot under there. It doesn’t matter if the baby can’t see. It doesn’t matter if the baby doesn’t like the blanket. Bottlefeeding should be covered for the comfort of others nearby.

BIP must be discrete. I mean discreet. Discrete? Anyway. I’ll get back to you on this one when I figure out the difference between the usage of discreet and discrete. All I know is Bottlefeeding Parents should have the common courtesy of using discretion.

BIP uses bottles for the wrong purpose. Lots of people are under the mistaken impression that bottles are for feeding babies. We know that bottles are other people’s play toys. Keep bottlefeeding at home so people don’t get the wrong idea!

Ready to join the campaign? Then put on your Parenting Police badge and get out there!

Sponsored post: This post brought to you by “If You Think This Isn’t a Joke Then You’re Off Your Rocker” and the ABCDEF Campaign.

Post from: Breastfeeding 1-2-3

Post from: Breastfeeding 1-2-3

Baby Milk Action is planning Nestle-Free Week surrounding this coming October 4, 2008. For more on the why, when and how of the Nestle Boycott and Nestle-Free Week in particular, visit Baby Milk Action’s Nestle-Free Week planning page.

Post from: Breastfeeding 1-2-3

As if that wasn’t enough to make me think twice about my own cows’ milk consumption, now there’s even more reason to question it. The Lactivist just posted about how the California Milk Processor Board is threatening legal action against a breastfeeding advocate who printed up 10 onesies with the slogan “got breastmilk?” The Board claims that “got breastmilk?” infringes on the trademark “got milk?” Because we all know how easy it is to confuse milk from a breast and milk from a carton at the grocery store (two vastly different kinds of milk “jugs” folks!) And because we all know how difficult (for the Board at least) it is to understand the concept of a parody. Apparently the Board did not benefit from the National Pork Board’s run-in with The Lactivist over “The Other White Milk”.

Read the original news story here. Then if you are so inclined, get in touch with the California Milk Processor Board to share your views on the matter. The board’s phone number is (949) 481-6620. The fax number is (949) 481-6680.

Post from: Breastfeeding 1-2-3

Breastmilk: 100% nutrition in a handy little package.

– as seen on a CafePress.com bumper sticker for sale (no affiliation to Breastfeeding 1-2-3)

Post from: Breastfeeding 1-2-3

Breastmilk: It’s not a choice. It’s a birthright!

– as seen on a CafePress.com button for sale (no affiliation to Breastfeeding 1-2-3)

Post from: Breastfeeding 1-2-3

Affirms that exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months of life with continued breastfeeding for at least the first one or two years of life is the biological norm, and that all alternative feeding methods carry health risks in comparison, with rare exceptions. Recognizes that breastfeeding is viewed as a public health issue and insists that maternal and child and comprehensive public health policies include attention to breastfeeding protection, education, promotion and support. Identifies the exclusive breastfeeding rate as a leading health indicator in the goals of the nation. Denounces aggressive marketing of human milk substitutes, particularly in health care settings.

To read the full text of the policy, see “A Call to Action on Breastfeeding: A Fundamental Public Health Issue.”

Post from: Breastfeeding 1-2-3

Please take a moment to vote in the new poll in the sidebar!

Post from: Breastfeeding 1-2-3

~ “What I normally do is say something like ‘if you need any advice or help with breastfeeding I can lend you some of my books or give your some good contact numbers….’ “The fact that I’m still bfing my 15 month old is handy, as I can say something about how it’s great for calming her or similar and it’s not an intrusive comment just a personal observation which often gets people interested and asking more.” — Half Pint Pixie

~ “I won’t ask directly, but I’ll drop hints at the subject, like ‘Oh, the first few days are a blur. All I remember is nursing and sleeping.’ Or ‘I miss having a newborn, my son is ??? old now and I really miss the bonding from nursing.’ You know, that sort of thing where I open the door and let the other person decide if they want to go in. I do the same thing re natural childbirth. I don’t ask if they plan on using an epidural or anything, I just mention that I labored in a whirlpool which gets them asking questions and then I mention the midwife and the birthing center. It usually goes over very well.” — Eilat

~ “As a volunteer breastfeeding counselor I tell pregnant & new moms what I do, inform them about our meetings, and let them know they can call me with breastfeeding questions. If I was paid for my breastfeeding work I would probably be less forthcoming as it would feel too much like soliciting business.” — Shannon at some fine taters

~ “I usually say, ‘I don’t know if you are planning on breastfeeding or not, but if you are you should know about the Lactation Center…’ Then they usually say, ‘Yes I am going to breastfeed,’ or ‘I haven’t decided’ or ‘No, I am going to bottle feed.’ I try to say things in a positive, happy tone so it comes across as informative not judgmental. I think it is good to let people know about local resources before they deliver and encourage them to check out the resources BEFORE they have problems. Many first time moms don’t know where the local resources are or don’t think about contacting them before the birth. I think different groups/personalities work better with different people and it is much better to find your match before you have a problem. Even if the person has other children or you don’t know them that well, it is worth saying something. A person may be on the fence and a small word of encouragement, even from a stranger can help. In most cases, if you are respectful in passing on information it will help.” — Cairo Mama

~ “I learned at a breastfeeding seminar that rather than ask if a mom plans to breastfeed, ask for her thoughts on breastfeeding. That way it isn’t just a yes or no, and it gives you the chance to help her with her concerns and offer support.” — Lauree

Thanks for the advice, ladies!

Post from: Breastfeeding 1-2-3