Breastfeeding news from the past few weeks.

Here are some breastfeeding news items from the last few weeks:

New York has a new law requiring employers to accomodate mothers who pump at work.  New York Governor Eliot Spitzer signed a bill which requires employers to provide break time for mothers to pump, and make reasonable efforts to provide a private place for pumping. New York joins California, Oregon, New Mexico, and other states which have similar laws.

U.K. may adopt breastfed-norm growth charts.  The U.K. reportedly is close to adopting the new WHO growth charts which use the pattern of breastfed babies as the model of infant growth.  The hope is that these charts will provide a fair evaluation of babies' growth, which for years has been measured against the growth pattern of fomula fed babies - a practice which often led to supplementation of breastfed babies and poor identification of formula fed babies at risk for overweight and obesity. 

Applebee's restaurant learns about Kentucky's NIP law.  The mother of a seven month old baby was told that she would need to cover up if she wanted to feed her baby in a Kentucky Applebee's restaurant.  The mother had with her a copy of Kentucky's law protecting her right to nurse in public.  A spokesperson for the restaurant says that they have no policy against nursing in their restaurants, but stated that it should be done "modestly."  He also accused her of having "an agenda."  The mother is planning a nurse out protest at the restaurant.

Moms Rising targets National Board of Medical Examiners and Congress with petition.  Moms Rising has started a petition aimed at getting the National Board of Medical Examiners to provide break time for pumping for its candidates (a problem brought to public attention by one Boston Ph.D/MD candidate), and in support of the federal Breastfeeding Promotion Act.

Only one in five mothers experience breastfeeding-friendly hospital policies.  A new study estimates that only one in five mothers experience five simple hospital practices to proven to increase breastfeeding duration.  They include providing information on where to get breastfeeding help after discharge, "rooming in," not feeding babies supplements, prohibiting pacifier use, and initiating breastfeeding within an hour of delivery.

University of New Mexico launches its Breastfeeding Support Program.  UNM launched its Breastfeeding Support Program, which includes multiple pumping locations on campus, some with hospital grade pumps, and a website with great resources for university families.  The New Mexico legislature and Governor recently passed a law requiring employers to accomodate mothers who pump at work.

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