The Motherwear Pledge: What have you done in 2007 to support breastfeeding?

Back in January many of us signed the Motherwear Pledge - a list of things which we can do to support breastfeeding.  Roughly 1,000 of you signed up to do three of the ten things below, and I've been keeping track through a poll (may take a few seconds to load). 

I know that many of you have done three of the things below, and some have done more.  Many of you came up with your own ideas for supporting breastfeeding, too.  So I thought I'd check up on how it's going and also record my progress so far.  Tell us what you've done in the comment section!

Say something supportive to a woman you see nursing in public. I got this one done in January at a restaurant (see the comments section of this post for the story).

Thank someone who is/was an important source of support to you during breastfeeding. Haven't done this lately.

Check that your pediatrician is using the new growth charts which use breastfed babies' growth as the norm.  I did this once but I don't think that I got the right answer.  Will check again next week at flu shot appointment.

Help a woman who is having breastfeeding difficulty.  Did this one many times at breastfeeding clinics and support groups.

Make a donation of any size to an organization that promotes breastfeeding. We donated to my local breastfeeding coalition.

Print out the International Symbol of Breastfeeding and post it somewhere public.  We'll be posting stickers with the symbol at local businesses soon. 

Talk to at least one pregnant woman, or a woman who hasn't had children yet, about the benefits of breastfeeding. Have done this one many times at breastfeeding classes.

Learn what your state's laws have to say about breastfeeding in public, pumping at work, and breastfeeding and jury duty.  Unfortunately that one's easy for me; they say nada.  We're trying to change that.

It you have breastfed, take about 1% of the money you saved by not buying formula (about $15 per child) and buy or do something for yourself to celebrate your success. Oh yeah.

Sign an e-petition or send an email or letter to your representatives on an issue related to breastfeeding or maternal/child health.  I've sent several emails and letters on nursing in public legislation in my state.

So even though it's the holidays and things are crazy, take a few seconds to see if you've done any of these things.  You may be surprised at how much you've accomplished! 

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Comments

[Stacy N]

Here's what I've done or still plan to do:

Say something supportive to a woman you see nursing in public.
I've done this at church more than once, but it's kind of
weird that that's the only place I've seen any public
breastfeeding!

Check that your pediatrician is using the new growth charts which use breastfed babies' growth as the norm.
I tried to get my doc to switch when my daughter kept
showing up as underweight on the old charts, but to no
avail. I'll keep asking, though!

Make a donation of any size to an organization that promotes breastfeeding.
University of Iowa Hospital: Mothers' Milk Bank

Talk to at least one pregnant woman, or a woman who hasn't had children yet, about the benefits of breastfeeding.
Haven't yet, but will when the chance arises.

Learn what your state's laws have to say about breastfeeding in public, pumping at work, and breastfeeding and jury duty.
I have them printed on a card in my wallet (just in case--
but would that be considered part of pushing a
"breastfeeding agenda" if push comes to shove with a
manager somewhere?) ; )

If you have breastfed, take about 1% of the money you saved by not buying formula (about $15 per child) and buy or do something for yourself to celebrate your success.
Haven't yet, but will. You'd think this one would be easy.

Sign an e-petition or send an email or letter to your representatives on an issue related to breastfeeding or maternal/child health.
A few times, including about SCHIP.

[Christina]

Say something supportive to a woman you see nursing in public.
Most of the women I see nursing in public I know personally, so it is not quite the same as doing it for a stranger - but I don't recall seeing strangers breastfeeding.

Thank someone who is/was an important source of support to you during breastfeeding.
My answer is the same - haven't done this lately, but it is a nice idea and I know whom I will thank.

Check that your pediatrician is using the new growth charts which use breastfed babies' growth as the norm.
They are not officially recognised in my country... sigh.

Help a woman who is having breastfeeding difficulty.
I am doing this on a daily basis, since I am a volunteer breastfeeding support person.

Make a donation of any size to an organization that promotes breastfeeding.
Did this during WBW-selebrations.

Print out the International Symbol of Breastfeeding and post it somewhere public.
Have not done this, but since I am posting lots of LLL-flyers, I think it is ok.

Talk to at least one pregnant woman, or a woman who hasn't had children yet, about the benefits of breastfeeding.
See above - doing this almost every day.

Learn what your state's laws have to say about breastfeeding in public, pumping at work, and breastfeeding and jury duty.
It is very liberal in my country, NIP is seen as normal and law states every nursing mother has the right for 2 hours breaks for nursing daily till the child turns 8 months or longer, if there is a doctor's order. Unfortunately, many doctors don't think a child needs to nurse longer than 8 months...

If you have breastfed, take about 1% of the money you saved by not buying formula (about $15 per child) and buy or do something for yourself to celebrate your success.
I do this, but haven't tought about it this way. Maybe I should ;)

Sign an e-petition or send an email or letter to your representatives on an issue related to breastfeeding or maternal/child health.
We posted a petition for breastfeeding support during WBW, so I have signed this one.

[tanya@motherwearblog]

Hey - I got a response for #2 - thanking me!

"To my cousin, who was always there in a pinch, for a solution for a clogged milk duct (a bag of warmed uncooked rice in a sock!), or for encouragement when I needed it: thank you!."

Tanya