Statue of a Breastfeeding Mother

Photo by Charlene Storch DiCesare

IRS Approves Medical Deduction for Breast Pumps!

Good news this tax season! (And how often can we say that?) The IRS has recently approved the purchase of breast pumps and related supplies as a medical expense that can be deducted on taxes. Believe it or not, this wasn't considered a medical expense in the past, but now that it is, it may allow more families to claim medical deductions in the childbearing year ... and get a little more money back to help pay for the baby's needs at home. Hallelujah!

To learn more, read: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/41512392/ns/health-womens_health

Breastfeeding Support

The Massachusetts Breastfeeding Coalition has compiled free downloadable handouts, in English and Spanish, on breastfeeding to help new mothers. Interested? Check out:

http://massbfc.org/index.php/handouts/

May your breastfeeding experiences be blessed!

Babywearing and Breastfeeding in Africa

One of my closest friends in the world is a woman who lives far away in Ghana, West Africa: Kate Naa-aku Tetteh. She has four beautiful daughters, all of them my goddaughters. I was blessed to be with Kate as her doula when she gave birth to her first three daughters, then Kate and I lived together during the post-partum weeks, and later I also visited with her family in Accra (the capitol city of Ghana). During these deeply meaningful moments in my life, I got to see Kate caring for her daughters and to help with their care, too. One thing Kate did commonly was baby-wearing -- carrying her daughters on her back when they were infants -- and, of course, breastfeeding.

(Babywearing is commonly depicted in Ghanaian wood-carvings. The one in the photo above was given to me by Kate's sister Comfort and shows a woman with two babies -- one on her back and one at her breast -- seated in front of the outlined continent of Africa. Mother Africa!)

Recently, I came across a little essay online that reminded me of these wonderful experiences. The piece is a first-hand account of a woman raising her baby according to her Kenyan grandmother's advice: "Don't read the books, read your baby!" In Kenya, mothers wear their babies on the backs and breastfeed them often -- on demand -- as often as the baby cries. The benefits of this to mother and baby are many.

To read the story, check out: http://www.naturalchild.org/guest/claire_niala.html

World Breastfeeding Week

Did you know? August 1st-7th is World Breastfeeding Week! Around the globe, people are celebrating the  nourishing gift of life given by mothers to babies through breastfeeding. To learn more, check out:

http://worldbreastfeedingweek.org/

Breastfeeding as Redemption

I recently met Colleen Curry, an awesome mom and doula, who authored a personal essay for DONA International Doula in 2009 called "The Power of Milk: Breastfeeding as Redemption for Moms Who are Survivors of Abuse." I recommend the essay to anyone who is interested. Thank you, Colleen!

Link: http://www.dona.org/Website/PDF/ID%20complete_090309.pdf

Basic Benefits of Breastfeeding

Breastfeed or bottle-feed? The American Pediatric Association recommends breastfeeding a new baby exclusively up to six months and continuing to breastfeed after solid foods are introduced up to at least one year. In cultures around the world, babies continue to be breastfed as toddlers through ages two, four, and even a bit beyond that sometimes.

That's because breastfeeding is the normal and most beneficial way to feed a baby. Breastmilk is full of antibodies that provide immunities from illness to the baby. It contains the right balance of nutrients (proteins, vitamins, fats, and so on) at every stage of the baby's development, changing as the baby grows. It even changes flavor so baby is never bored with the taste!

Breastfeeding is easier, cheaper, and more convenient for moms. When the baby wakes in the middle of the night, it's easy to feed him. Breastmilk is always the right mix and temperature. It's definitely cheaper. Did you know a year's supply of formula for a baby costs about $2000? That kind of money could be spent in other ways. Mothers carry their milk with them, so they don't have to carry the extra weight of bottles, formula, and what-not with them when they go out with baby. Breastfeeding is more convenient.

Breastfeeding is good for the relationship between mother and baby as well as the mother's health, too. Immediately after birth, breastfeeding helps mother and baby to bond closely. It rewards the mom and reassures the baby. It helps the uterus contract, expel the placenta, and return to its pre-birth size. As mom continues breastfeeding, she loses the extra weight she gained to support the baby in the womb. Breastfeeding tends to delay the return of menstrual periods and can help to space subsequent pregnancies.

Breastfeeding allows mother and baby to look into each other's eyes, to connect skin-to-skin, and to communicate love and reassurance without words. It's so beautiful! To learn more about the benefits of breastfeeding, visit: http://www.motheringfromtheheart.com/Benefits.htm.

p.s. Moms, remember to drink a full glass of water, milk, or juice every time you breastfeed in order to stay well hydrated. Your body will privilege the baby and give her all that she needs, so to take care of yourself, you need to keep eating and drinking well as you breastfeed just as you did while pregnant. And keep taking those pre-natal vitamins! They're post-natal vitamins, too, and will help your health and the baby's as he grows.