It's world breastfeeding week and month again, a wonderful opportunity to celebrate nursing. Not only is mother's milk the healthiest food to feed your infant, it's the most affordable and bestows health benefits on both mom and baby. While not every new mom chooses to or is able to nurse, those who take this path deserve our support and encouragement.
Two Web sites, TheBump.com and Breastfeeding.com are launching a "public display of breastfeeding" on Aug. 15 in order to highlight the benefits of breastfeeding, such as boosting babies' immunity and brain development and lowering the mom's lifetime risk of developing breast or ovarian cancer. Hundreds of moms have pledged to nurse in public and also are posting on Facebook and Twitter (under the hashtag #PDB) in support of the initiative. Every Tuesday in August, TheBump.com is also offering free chats with lactation consultants from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. ET.
For working moms, breastfeeding presents its own challenges. Thanks to the lactation room law, most U.S. employers must provide a private, clean space for nursing moms to express breast milk, as well as reasonable break time to pump. However, pumping remains an unpleasant chore for many moms, despite these accommodations. If you know a nursing mom -- or see one breastfeeding in public -- please cheer her on in continued breastfeeding! Happy World Breastfeeding Month!
Photo credit: Getty Images
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