World Breastfeeding week....Again?

So it's World Breastfeeding Week again.  What's so strange about that?  Well, the last one was about 6 weeks ago! Nevertheless, I'll take the opportunity to put out my plea: "Can't we all just get along?"  Let's take a deep breath and recognize that a mother's choice on how to feed her child is just that---her choice.  And it's a very personal choice.  Many women decide not to breastfeed for one reason or another and all the reasons are legitmate.  No one else has the right to judge her.  And placing guilt on her is counter-productive, for her baby and for her.  Lactivists need to calm down.

Now, if we really want to increase breastfeeding rates---a good goal for sure--then let's really tackle the issues that could help:

• We need to get with the picture and mandate paid maternity leaves
• We need to give tax incentives to businesses that provide clean, private places to pump
• We need more businesses to provide on site childcare, or nearby childcare
• We need insurance companies to recognize lactation as a condition of pregnancy and cover consultants and others who provide support
• We need to raise awareness of those of lower economic status

So rather than throw barbs at those who choose not to breastfeed, let's support them.  And let's support real, meaningful meausres to increase breastfeeding rates for those who want to do it.