Links - World Breastfeeding Week style

In case you didn't hear the great news, The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services adopted the recent recommendation of the Institute of Medicine, to require insurers to provide breastfeeding support  and pump rentals, free of co-pays and other cost-sharing!
For information about the newly adopted Guidelines for Women’s Preventive Services, click over to read more at Birthing Beautiful Ideas.




The CDC recently released the 2011 Breastfeeding Report Card. Reuters reports:

Less than 4 percent of the country's hospitals fully support breastfeeding, said a report issued by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

In nearly 80 percent of hospitals, healthy babies who are being breastfed are given formula even when there is no medical need for it, making it more difficult to continue breastfeeding at home, the report says.

Only a third of hospitals have "rooming in" policies that allow babies to stay in the hospital room with their mothers 24 hours a day, which can increase breastfeeding opportunities.

Nearly 75 percent of hospitals do not provide adequate support for mothers once they leave, including follow-up visits and phone calls, the report said.

What every doula should know about breastfeeding: Tip #2: When to refer, how to refer 

and

What every doula should know about breastfeeding: Tip #3: A few must-knows for pumping

via Public Health Doula

Great tips for doulas from a doula/IBCLC!

On Saturday, August 6 at 10:30 am local time, for one minute, women nation wide will be breastfeeding! Find a local BIG LATCH ON event near you! 

The World Alliance for Breastfeeding Action is has created a video to show you how have a Breastfeeding-themed flash mob using the song they developed for this year's World Breastfeeding Week: