On October 3, 2009 at 11:00 am mothers and children at sites across Canada, the United States and other countries will compete to set the record for the most children breastfeeding at one time. The winners of the competition will be the site with the most children breastfeeding at one site, the country with the most children breastfeeding at registered sites and in North America the region (province or territory or state) with the most children participating as a percentage of the birth rate. To level the playing field between large and small, each site will be entered into one of four groups determined by birth rate.

Last year there were 7,632 nurslings in nineteen countries at over 300 sites with a total of over 20,000 supporters! Registration for this year’s challenge is now open so you can find a site near you or register to organize your own site!

Post from: Breastfeeding 1-2-3

Google Analytics map for Blisstree's Breastfeeding 1-2-3 blog

The next four countries are:

2. Canada
3. United Kingdom
4. India
5. Australia

I have been talking a lot about breastfeeding advocacy opportunities in the United States, so tonight I would like to share a breastfeeding advocacy opportunity for each of the other four countries listed. Please feel free to leave a comment if you are from any of those four countries and you have resources you would like to share!

Canada

“Join INFACT Canada and INFACT Quebec and sign on to the ‘Protect Breastfeeding Petition’ at http://protectbreastfeedingpetition.ca/. You can make a difference for mothers and children, sign the petition, share the petition and join us for a better world for all of us.”

United Kingdom

In the United Kingdom you can read and sign the Breastfeeding Manifesto, an eight-page document that outlines seven objectives that support breastfeeding. The Manifesto notes:

The UK Governments and the World Health Organization (WHO) recommend that babies be exclusively breastfed for the first six months of life, yet fewer than 2% of babies in the UK are exclusively breastfed at six months.

India

The Breastfeeding Promotion Network of India works to protect, promote and support breastfeeding in that country. You can endorse your views on an infant’s right to food by entering your name and email address.

Australia

The Australian Breastfeeding Association has a page dedicated to breastfeeding advocacy which includes a link to the incident report form for the marketing of infant formulas in Australia.

Post from: Breastfeeding 1-2-3

Dr. Jack Newman, the Toronto doctor known around the world as a leader in breastfeeding education and support, needs your help. The Newman Breastfeeding Clinic and Institute sees more than 2500 mothers and babies each year, but is on the verge of closing its doors unless it receives more funding. The NBCI is requesting donations, but until the government recognizes the importance of institutional breastfeeding support, the clinic will always be in danger.

Supporters of the NBCI are asked to come to Queen’s Park on Wednesday, December 3rd at 10 am for a quiet nurse-in. Demonstrators will be advocating for the provincial government to recognize the importance of breastfeeding and to commit to funding breastfeeding clinics like Dr. Newman’s. The rally is supported by the New Democratic Party, and NDP health critic France Gélinas will be holding a press conference at 10 am. At 10.30 am, question period will take place in parliament, and Gélinas will use the opportunity to call for a provincial breastfeeding strategy and encourage the government to support hospitals going baby friendly.

The objective is to hold a nurse-in in the viewing gallery of Queen’s Park during question period. IMPORTANT: formal protests are not allowed within the building, so it is asked that no one bring signs, placards or banners. The hope is to fill the viewing gallery which will require a huge turn out, so please spread the word. This is an opportunity to change the status of breastfeeding policy in Ontario for years to come.

If you wish to attend please RSVP to Helen or Dani by December 1st. Spaces in the viewing gallery are limited and the NDP are asking anyone wishing to participate to add their names to the list of guests as they will have to go to the security desk to give their names in order to get in.

What: Breastfeeding Rally and Nurse-in

Where: Queen’s Park, Toronto

When: 10 am, Wed. December 3rd

RSVP to:

dani at naturalmothering dot ca

helen at naturalmothering dot ca

Post from: Breastfeeding 1-2-3

Fearing that dozens of angry lactivists might show up at her pool, Karkouti contacted York Regional Police.

When it became clear they had no intention of sending uniformed officers, she says, Karkouti hired $400 worth of her own protection – four security guards who kept the 20 or so protesters, many of them children, at bay.

“I guess that’s what they come with,” Karkouti said yesterday of the Kevlar-clad guards. “I didn’t even notice. All I thought was, `If I have 400 people trying to force their way in, what am I supposed to do?’”

Says Longuinho: “We weren’t carrying signs or anything. The idea was to go and talk to her (Karkouti) and nurse in the pool. One of the guards even had handcuffs. I believe it was to intimidate us.”

Karkouti was so concerned the protest might foul the water, forcing a costly cleanup or shutdown, she refused to let the group in.

Does anyone else think that by admittedly refusing to let in a group of nursing mothers for fear they might breastfeed in the pool, Ms. Karkouti just violated the law again, and on a far grander scale?

Two other key points from the article: (1) the region was right in the middle of its “Anytime, Anywhere” breastfeeding campaign, and (2) after a rash of breastfeeding discrimination incidents at city pools, the Breastfeeding Action Committee of Edmonton counseled municipalities to develop breastfeeding-friendly regulations, “saying there is no evidence the practice is unsafe for babies, their mothers or others in the pool.”

Post from: Breastfeeding 1-2-3

Section 10(2) The Ontario Human Rights Code specifies:

The right to equal treatment without discrimination because of sex includes the right to equal treatment without discrimination because a woman is or may become pregnant.

R.S.O. 1990, c. H.19, s. 10 (2).

The Ontario Human Rights Commission (OHRC) developed a Policy on Discrimination Because of Pregnancy and Breastfeeding (PDF document) which further explains the law and its interpretation and implementation. It clarifies that the protections for pregnancy include the post-natal period, which includes breastfeeding. The policy statement elaborates:

You have rights as a nursing mother. For example, you have the right to breastfeed a child in a public area. No one should prevent you from nursing your child simply because you are in a public area. They should not ask you to “cover up”, disturb you, or ask you to move to another area that is more “discreet”.

There are also protections on the federal level. The Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms specifies:

15(1) Every individual is equal before and under the law and has the right to the equal protection and equal benefit of the law without discrimination and, in particular without discrimination based on race, national or ethnic origin, colour, religion, sex, age, or mental or physical disability.

INFACT Canada explains what women can do if they have been harassed for breastfeeding:

Report the incident to the Human Rights Commission in your province. As commissions don’t handle many complaints about breastfeeding, individual officers may be unfamiliar with the issue and require some explanation of why this is discrimination, or why the provision of an alternative place to breastfeed is not enough. Be persistent. Contact a women’s rights organization, La Leche League or other group for help and support if you feel you are not being heard.

According to the OHRC website, complaints are now to be filed directly with the Human Rights Tribunal of Ontario.

Post from: Breastfeeding 1-2-3

You are invited to a breastfeeding rights rally on Friday, November 7, 2008, in Newmarket, Ontario.

The Breastfeeding Discrimination Incident

Nursing mother Cinira Longuinho explains:

I was breastfeeding my daughter on the steps of the swimming pool when Ms. Ellie Karkouti, the owner of the facility, came to speak with me. Ms. Karkouti said they had one complaint and that I could not breastfeed my daughter in the swimming pool. She said if I wanted to breastfeed I would have use the changeroom. I tried to say that based on the law I had the right to breastfeed in public places but Ms. Karkouti said that she was the owner and I could only breastfeed in the changeroom. After that I stopped breastfeeding. Ms. Ellie Karkouti left. I stayed in the swimming pool.

It was the first time I have suffered discrimination in my life! I wanted to cry so bad. I tried to pretend this has never happened. My daughter kept asking to nurse and I denied her while we were in the pool. My heart was broken. I did not know what to do. I was completely sad, lost and numb.

Only after a few hours, I believe I started to think clearly again.

I informed the group of families registered for this swim time at The Aquacentre about the terrible episode. The leader of this activity, Carol-Anne Brockington, sent an email to The Aquacentre asking for an apology. Their feedback was “At no point did we discriminate against the act of breastfeeding.” They did not offer any apology.

After several emails of support from mothers ready to fight for the right to breastfeed, we have decided to organize a Breastfeeding Rights Rally, a peaceful nurse-in for Friday, November 7th in The Aquacentre at 2:30pm.

Details of the Rally

Friday Nov 7th, The Aquacentre Pool at 2:30-3:30pm
1215 Stellar Dr., Newmarket, Ontario L3Y 7B8
Phone: 905 895 2782, Fax: 905 853 4229,
email: info@aquacentrenewmarket.com and ellie@trinityrehab.com

Longuinho adds:

Please inform as many people as you can about this discrimination episode and the nurse-in…. Also, everybody is welcome to the peaceful nurse-in, you do not have to breastfeed to participate! All support is welcome! If you are unable to attend the nurse-in personally please feel free to email, phone or fax the facility to voice your concerns over this incident and show your support of breastfeeding rights – anywhere, anytime!

Unfortunately, the Aquacentre in Newmarket is a private facility that charges to use the pool. For this reason, to be able to participate in the Breastfeeding Rights Rally it is required that you pay the fee of $5.25 per swimmer. I wish it was not necessary to pay but the law requests it. We also welcome supporters that would like to be outside with signs. Please bring your own sign! Supporters that will be outside do not need to pay any fee.

Post from: Breastfeeding 1-2-3

Post from: Breastfeeding 1-2-3

The Quintessence Foundation plans the 8th annual Breastfeeding Challenge, scheduled this year for October 11, 2008. Basically it’s a friendly competition to promote breastfeeding:

This fun event is a challenge for which geographic area (province, state or territory) has the most breastfeeding babies, as a percentage of the birthrate, “latched on” at 11am local time.

Last year’s event involved 5,383 babies at 230 sites across Canada and the United States! Registration is open now for this year’s event. Visit the Breastfeeding Challenge 2008 invitation for more information.

Post from: Breastfeeding 1-2-3

**** Australians might enjoy the Australian Breastfeeding Association (ABA) 2007 calendar (gorgeous photos if you just want to take a peek!) for AUD $15.00 including GST.

**** Lucky residents of Sonoma County, California might find paper versions of the 2007 Breastfeeding Calendar at area hospitals and health clinics (everyone else can click on the link to watch the slide show). After January 1, 2007, area moms can submit their own photos in the 2007 photo contest for a chance to win a $100 gift certificate.

La Leche League of Canada offers its 2007 Calendar for CDN $15.00.

**** In the United Kingdom, the International Baby Food Action Network (IBFAN) sells its 2007 Calendar with facts and dates given in English, Dutch, German and French. The price is £5.00 (add an additional £2.00 for shipping outside the UK).

Available to everyone in the United States, the 2007 Beauty of Breastfeeding Calendar is put out by the Childbirth and Postpartum Professional Association (CAPPA) in Colorado for USD $12.99.

If you’re looking for a calendar with breastfeeding activism slogans instead of photos, check out over 100 inexpensive options at CafePress.com.

Post from: Breastfeeding 1-2-3

Free

1. Your time. If you are a close friend or relative of the nursing mother and can offer your assistance with house-cleaning, laundry or babysitting, this gift will likely be much appreciated. There are a few caveats though. Don’t just dive in and start cleaning or the mother might be offended! Find a nice way to ask, starting with a compliment. “You are doing such a fabulous job with your baby. I remember how overwhelming it can be at the beginning, though. Is there anything I can do around the house to help? I’m not shy about pitching in where it would be appreciated!” Personally I liked to do my own laundry, but I gratefully jumped at the chance for someone else to wash the dinner dishes! As for babysitting, the nursing mother may not wish to be far from the baby for long, depending on the baby’s age and temperament. Whenever I went out on the town, I took my baby and even my toddler with me, but I readily accepted an offer for someone to watch my child while I napped or soaked in a relaxing, hot bath. Once I had two children, it was lovely to have someone play with my older child for an hour or two so I could focus some time on my baby (or the other way around).

2. Your nursing paraphernalia. Offer to loan the nursing mother your nursing clothes, nursing pillow and any breastfeeding and childcare books you found particularly helpful. The one thing that shouldn’t be shared though is a breast pump, unless it’s one of the rare models where every part of the pump that comes into contact with breast milk is replaceable.

3. A downloadable children’s book. Remember the beautiful breastfeeding art by the artist Birgit? Not only does she sell her prints and a breastfeeding goddesses calendar, she also offers a free downloadable children’s book called “What Babies Eat.”

Under U.S. $10

1. A hot meal. My playgroup friends arranged to deliver hot meals to each mother in the group for the week or two after the mother gave birth to her second child. When one of my friends was expecting her third child and she did not need any new boy or girl clothing, I arranged a “once-a-month cooking” baby shower during which we prepared 14 meals for the mother to take home and freeze for after the birth. Each guest at the party contributed toward the grocery bill, and as a party favor I handed out copies of the recipes we’d used.

Even now I enjoy some help with the cooking, and I often ask for a gift certificate to a shop where meals can be made ahead, like Super Suppers or Dream Dinners (these cost a lot more than $10 though!)

2. A sling. Last time I checked the gifts poll (vote now in the sidebar if you haven’t already), a sling was the top item nursing mothers said they liked getting or would like to receive. Slings can be very expensive, which is why I shared a free pattern and tips for how to sew your own baby sling.

3. Magnets, buttons and bumper stickers. Cafepress.com features a wide variety of inexpensive and unique gifts. If you need to stuff a stocking, consider a magnet that says “Choosy Toddlers Choose Breastmilk” ($4.99) or a bumper sticker that says “I make breastmilk. What’s your superpower?” ($3.99)

4. Breastfeeding-friendly books for children. It’s hard to find quality books with positive images of breastfeeding. My children love this sturdy board book that has the following passage:

Mama, Mama, soft as silk,
give me warmth, and give me milk.

Mama Mama lists for $5.99 (purchases of Mama Mama through this Amazon.com link support Breastfeeding 1-2-3 at no extra cost to you. In this post I’ve only linked to Amazon products I have tried and liked).

5. Lansinoh. At just $8.34, Lansinoh Breast Creme is a must-have for new mothers. For those who need it, the lanolin soothes and heals cracked and sore nipples and does not have to be rinsed off before the baby nurses. I use my leftover lanolin to heal hangnails and soothe chapped lips!

Under U.S. $20

1. A nursing necklace. If you’re feeling crafty, try your hand at making your own beaded nursing necklace with this gorgeous design.

2. A Breast of Canada calendar. This controversial photographic art calendar sells for U.S. $17.95 or CDN $19.95 and the net proceeds benefit the Canadian Breast Cancer Network.

3. Lactivist t-shirts. Fellow breastfeeding blogger Jen (The Lactivist) designed these fun shirts for children, women and men. Many cost under $20 and some “value t-shirts” are as low as $11.99. Just like the buttons, stickers and magnets mentioned above, these shirts are offered through cafepress.com, which for a limited time is offering free holiday shipping on purchases totaling $50 or more.

Under U.S. $35

1. Boppy pillow. I loved using a nursing pillow (and it looks like poll voters agree). I got a Boppy pillow as a gift and found it very comfortable and effective for getting the baby to the proper height for nursing. I also used the Boppy for supporting my baby during tummy time (pictured at right, my baby is four weeks old and not too sure about being on her tummy!) and once she began working on sitting up, we used the Boppy to support her back just in case. With a Boppy you have a few options. You can choose a Boppy Bare Naked ($19.99) and buy a super-soft, removable and washable Luxe Slipcover in pink ($14.99) or in blue ($14.99) or two regular slipcovers ($19.99), or you can buy an original Boppy pillow without a removable cover ($24.99).

2. Manual breast pump. If you plan to pump a lot and can afford an electric pump then that’s definitely the way to go, but for those who only wish to express the occasional bottle of milk, the Avent ISIS Breast Pump with 2 Reusable Bottles (4oz) ($34.50) works great. I used this model and liked it. When one of the plastic parts cracked because I put it in the dishwasher when I shouldn’t have, Avent sent me a replacement part at no charge.

Anyone have any product reviews to share on the products I mentioned? Feel free to share your comments below.

Post from: Breastfeeding 1-2-3