Breastfeeding 1-2-3 » mothers-milk

Holy Mother’s %#@$!

Angela White, J.D., breastfeeding counselor — Wed, 18 Mar 2009 01:19:27 +0000

You know how when you are trying to get pregnant, suddenly you see pregnant women everywhere? Well, it’s the same way when you write a breastfeeding blog — suddenly you see references to breastfeeding all over the place. Today I read an interesting MSNBC.com article entitled “Recession F-Bombs: Why Cursing Feels Great” by Diane Mapes. Not exactly a place you’d expect to see a reference to breastfeeding, right? But Mapes spoke to Thomas Jay, professor of psychology at the Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts, who said:

“Swear words are almost always about sex or religion in every language,” says Jay. “It depends on what the [cultural] taboos are. In countries where religion is more powerful, phrases such as “Sacred mother” or “Holy mother’s milk” are typical.”

Photo by Julia F.

Now “Holy mother’s milk” was not what I said this morning when I accidentally sat on my peanut butter toast. I’m not proud of myself, but I said, “Oh crap!” Unfortunately, my four-year-old heard — sort of — and asked, “Mama, why did you say ‘Oh tramp?’” Feeling no need to correct her, I explained that I had sat on my peanut butter toast and had gotten peanut butter on my new blue jeans. “Oh,” she nodded wisely. “That is so trampy.” Yes, my dear, I suppose it is.

Post from: Breastfeeding 1-2-3

Your Vote Online Could Help the Mothers’ Milk Bank of New England

Angela White, J.D., breastfeeding counselor — Wed, 16 Jan 2008 04:27:50 +0000

All it takes is a few moments of your time to vote for the funding proposal for the Mothers’ Milk Bank of New England on IdeaBlob. If enough people vote (and it only took 600 votes for last month’s winner), the fledgling milk bank receives $10,000 that will be used to buy processing and storage equipment, establish a “Milk Money” fund to help families whose insurance does not cover the processing fees for donor milk, and develop marketing materials for the milk bank. Need more information? Tanya at the Motherwear Breastfeeding Blog is spear-heading the effort, after inspiration from The Lactivist. For information on non-profit donor milk banks in general, visit the Human Milk Banking Association of North America. Keep in mind that in addition to or instead of becoming a milk donor, you can volunteer your time as well.

(How much do you all love the logo for the Mother’s Milk Bank of New England?? Very cool. Don’t forget to vote!)

Post from: Breastfeeding 1-2-3

Volunteer Your Time to a Local Milk Bank

Angela White, J.D., breastfeeding counselor — Sat, 15 Dec 2007 03:02:51 +0000

You do not have to be a breast milk donor to help support your local non-profit mother’s milk bank! Give your time! Many of the milk banks associated with the Human Milk Banking Association of North America rely on the assistance of volunteers. For example, this article in the Orange County Register describes how the Mother’s Milk Bank of San Jose is seeking volunteers for home or office locations in Orange County, California, to serve as “Mother Hubbard” milk depots for the collection of donor milk and distribution of pumping supplies and support.

Check out the contact information below for volunteer opportunities in your area! Some of the hospital-based (yet still non-profit) milk banks may not require the same type of volunteer services or may require you to volunteer through the hospital itself. In those cases the phone number for the milk bank is listed.

United States:

California: Volunteer opportunities range from passing out information to becoming a driver to working in the office as a volunteer or intern
Colorado: “Join the Mothers’ Milk Bank trained volunteer team, helping store, process and distribute this life-saving liquid from one heart to another.”
Delaware: To see if this hospital-based milk bank seeks volunteers, call (302) 733-2340.
Indiana: Not only is this milk bank facing a donor shortage, it also can use help transporting donor milk, assisting with the pasteurization process, or providing clerical support.
Iowa: To see if this hospital-based milk bank seeks volunteers, call (319) 356-2652 or (877) 891-5347.
Michigan: To see if this hospital-based milk bank seeks volunteers, call (269) 341-8849.
New England (no website yet): Help get this milk bank in the Boston area started! Email mmbne@yahoo.com. You can also read more about volunteer efforts by Tanya at the Motherwear blog.
North Carolina: To see if this hospital-based milk bank seeks volunteers, call (919) 350-8599.
Ohio: To see if this hospital-based milk bank seeks volunteers, call (614) 544-0810.
Texas (Austin): “We need volunteers to help out with everything from pouring milk to calling donor moms to planning events. Please come join our league of heroes!”
Texas (North Texas): Become an office assistant, pasteurizing assistant, donor milk transporter, bottle washer, or fundraiser!

Canada:

British Columbia: To see if this hospital-based milk bank seeks volunteers, call (604) 875-2282.

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