The Olympian
Campaign supports nursing in public

The Olympian
Campaign supports nursing in public
IHealth matters
DIANA YU
Published August 30, 2008

The South Sound Breastfeeding Network recently launched the Breastfeeding Welcome Here campaign to support breast-feeding in our community. This campaign uses the new International Breastfeeding Symbol from Mothering Magazine.

The goal of this campaign is to support women nursing their babies by making our community friendlier to breast-feeding families. More than 80 percent of new moms in our community start out breast-feeding. Washington has the highest rate in the nation.

The symbol will alert breast-feeding moms of public locations where they can nurse comfortably. It also will reinforce that breast-feeding is normal, accepted and welcome. Most moms who nurse in public do so discreetly but still might be concerned they will be "discovered" and discouraged. These signs assure moms they can safely and comfortably feed their babies.

Why is it important?

Babies need to eat. Moms and babies deserve clean and comfortable places to feed. No one should have to eat their lunch in a bathroom. By having more public places for moms and babies to nurse, we improve the health of our whole community.

Opting not to nurse has been linked to increased risks of obesity, heart disease, diabetes, childhood cancers, allergies, asthma and ear infections, as well as a host of other viruses, bacteria and diseases.

The financial cost of choosing not to breast-feed is staggering. A 1999 govern ment study estimated that a minimum of $3.6 billion could be saved if breast-feeding rates were increased from current levels to levels recommended by the U.S. surgeon general.

These recommendations are to have 75 percent of babies' breast-feeding at birth and half still nursing at 6 months. This estimation of the cost savings of breast-feeding likely is underestimated because this study examined only three childhood illnesses.

The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends exclusive breast-feeding for six months and continued nursing for a minimum of one year.

According to the AAP, the lack of public support for breast-feeding is one of the obstacles to its success.

If our community embraces nursing as the normal way to feed infants, more women will start out breast-feeding and do it longer. This will decrease health care costs, which is good for all of us.

Support nursing

If you are a store owner or have a business, consider posting the International Breastfeeding Symbol in a prominent place, such as the front door or at the check-out, and adopt policies that are friendly to nursing moms and their babies. If you display the International Breastfeeding Symbol, mothers are welcome to breast-feed their children within your establishment. This means they will never be harassed, treated poorly or asked to leave, cover up or move as a result of breast-feeding.

For more details on the guidelines and to get a symbol, call Martha Alonzo at 360-786-5581, ext. 16661, e-mail alonzom@co. thurston.wa.us, or go to the South Sound Breastfeeding Network Web site at www.southsoundbreastfeeding.org.

Dr. Diana Yu is the health officer for the Thurston County Public Health and Social Services Department. For information from the Health Department, call 360-786-5581.