Breastfeeding: Healthier. Cheaper. Faster. Cleaner.

 

Breastfeeding News

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WGNO interview with Tulane Breastfeeding Program in Law School lactation room

An interview with WGNO's Anne Cutler talking about Tulane Univeristy Women's Center breastfeeding support program and how it advocates for lactation rooms and raised awareness on campus. 

Public Health initiative establishes on-campus lactation stations

The Tulane School of Public Health is expanding its Breastfeeding Awareness Program by having eight "lactation stations" across Tulane's campus. Click the link to read the whole Tulane Hullabaloo article.

Louisiana house and senate finance committee passed HB313

Louisiana House Appropriations Committee and the Senate Finance Committee passed HB313. HB313 requires state buildings to provide suitable areas for breastfeeding and lactation

Breastfeeding pumps now deductible, IRS rules

In an exciting breastfeeding promoting decision, the Internal Revenue Service has declared breast pumps and other lactation supplies tax deductible as medical expenses. This means that families can use flexible spending accounts and health savings accounts to pay for lactation supplies. Great to see the IRS taking the Surgeon General's Call to Action to heart!

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Giving baby solid foods too early linked to obesity later

A recent study found that babies who were breastfed exclusively past 4 months of age had a 6x less chance of becoming obese by age 3. Those who were never breastfed or who had stopped breastfeeding before 4 months and had solids introduced before 4 months of age were at risk for obesity later on. These findings are in alignment with the American Academy of Pediatrics, who recommends introducing solid food at 4- 6 months of age. Though mechanisms are not yet clear, it is more indication that breastmilk is the best for babies!

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Breastfeeding rates are rising in Louisiana thanks to more support. With peer counseling programs like the Central Louisiana Breastfeeding Coalition's Mom on Call, professional support through Nurse-Family Partnership and the new Health Care Law requiring lactation rooms in work places,support for breastfeeding moms is rising. And that support is translating into more breastfeeding!

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Surgeon General's Call to Action: Everyone can help make breastfeeding easier

In a Call to Action held January 20th, 2011, the Surgeon General called for all to come together and help reduce barriers to mothers choosing to breastfeed. The decision to breastfeed might be a personal one but the support of society is imperative for mothers to reach their breastfeeding goals. Families, communities, employers and health care professionals were especially encouraged to take steps to encourage mothers and improve breastfeeding rates. By working together, we can ensure all women successfully reach their breastfeeding goals.  

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Breastfeeding can bring Democrats and Republicans together

In an article posted by Congressman Sean Duffy's (R-Wis) wife, Rachel Campos-Duffy expresses her gratitude to Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D- Cal) for her efforts to successfully create a nursing room in the capital. Though Campos-Duffy describes herself "as conservative as the Speaker is liberal", breastfeeding truly is a bipartisan issue, affecting all women. In a time of fierce division in congress, it's nice to see breastfeeding crossing the aisle!

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BATON ROUGE - Officials with the Louisiana Department of Health and Hospitals (DHH) are reminding parents about the benefits of breastfeeding to the long-term health of their children during Breastfeeding Week in Louisiana, August 1-7, 2010, as proclaimed by Gov. Bobby Jindal. Breastfeeding Week in Louisiana is part of an international effort to raise awareness about the importance and benefits of breastfeeding during World Breastfeeding Week.

This year's theme is "Breastfeeding: Just 10 Steps. The Baby-Friendly Way," which focus on steps hospitals, health care providers, workplaces, communities and families can take to help mothers achieve their breastfeeding goals.

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 The Greater New Orleans Breastfeeding Awareness Coalition (GNOBAC) is displaying this poster in New Orleans RTA buses throughout the month of August to promote breastfeeding:

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