The hard work of lactation activists in New Mexico has paid off with the enactment of House Bill 613: Use of a Breast Pump in the Workplace (PDF). The new law states:
A. In order to foster the ability of a nursing mother who is an employee to use a breast pump in the workplace, an employer, including the state and its political subdivisions, shall provide:
(1) a space for using the breast pump that is:
(a) clean and private;
(b) near the employee’s workspace; and
(c) not a bathroom; …read more

In Washington, D.C. this week, Councilmember Jim Graham introduced the Child’s Right to Nurse Human Rights Amendment Act of 2007 (B17-0133). First of all, let’s take a moment to admire the name of that legislation. What a way to focus the issue as it should be — on the child! On the human rights of the child!
The legislation would give a woman the right to breastfeed anywhere she has the right to be with her child. Graham’s press release says the legislation would also require an employer “to provide reasonable unpaid break-time, and a sanitary room or other …read more

We’re discussing Baby Love and even Baby Lust in today’s Carnival of Breastfeeding, so I thought I’d ask: Do You Want (More) Children?
{democracy:14}

In a comic routine actor Jamie Foxx took pot-shots at Angelina Jolie and other Hollywood celebrities adopting children from foreign countries.
You famous when you can just go over to another country and pick up some kids like you’re shopping for vegetables…. I wish [Angelina Jolie] was adopting when I was coming up. I would have breast-fed till I was 37.
Um, okay Jamie. You lose points for sexualizing breastfeeding but gain points for at least understanding the fact that adoptive breastfeeding is possible!
Source: Fashion Monitor, January 17, 2007.

Due to problems with CafePress.com, the Lactivist charity fundraiser has been extended through the end of January. Remember, profits from t-shirt sales during this time benefit the Mother’s Milk Bank of Ohio. So get shopping!

For tomorrow’s Carnival of Breastfeeding on New Year’s Resolutions, I’ll be discussing exercise and breastfeeding, including whether exercise affects breast milk and how nursing mothers can incorporate some exercise into their routines even if they have a young baby.
With that in mind, I’ve started a new poll:
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To view all prior poll results, click here.