Vendors: World Breastfeeding Week

Are you a vendor who supports breastfeeding?  Do you make or sell products that support breastfeeding? 

During World Breastfeeding Week, August 1-7, we will run special posts on the Celebrity Baby Blog supporting breastfeeding.  We are looking for sponsors for these posts.  All fees collected will be donated to La Leche League International , a not-for-profit organization whose mission is to help mothers worldwide to breastfeed through mother-to-mother support, education, information, and encouragement, and to promote a better understanding of breastfeeding as an important element in the healthy development of the baby and mother. 

Sponsorship opportunities include sponsored posts about breastfeeding, advertorials about the nursing products you sell/make, and links in a dedicated "sponsor" post.   Please contact Danielle @ Celebrity-Babies.com for more information.  Please put WBW in the subject line.

Celebrated in over 120 countries, World Breastfeeding Week (WBW), is the greatest outreach vehicle for the breastfeeding movement.   

Readers: you may make a cash donation by visiting https://donate2lll.org/indexSecure.htm

Breastfeeding is an instinctual and natural act, but it is also an art that is learned day by day. The reality is that almost all women can breastfeed, have enough milkfor their babies and learn how to overcome problems both large andsmall. It is almost always simply a matter of practical knowledge andnot a question of good luck.
-La Leche League International

For resources on breastfeeding, visit LaLecheLeague.org.

Comments

AWESOMEAWESOMEAWESOME!!!!! Kudos to Danielle and CBB for being such vocal supporters of breastfeeding and LLL!

- carolyn on July 4th, 2006

YEAH!! I am so happy to see CBB a Breastfeeding supporter!!! I am a proud mama that has nursed 2 babies until they were 13 months old and it makes me happy to see other moms doing it too!!

- Dee Anne on July 4th, 2006

I was not breastfed as a child, nor did or does anyone else in my family breastfeed their kids. I do not breastfeed my own 3 nor will I breastfeed if I have another. As an American, half this country does it, the half does not. It’s a personal choice and should be left that way instead of being PC-glossed and politicized.

- Nicoletta on July 4th, 2006

LOVE THIS! It always puts a huge smile on my face when people support breastfeeding! I think its great that CBB is raising awareness and promoting breastfeeding! It is so beneficial for baby and mother.

- DancingMom on July 4th, 2006

Nicoletta, your right. It is a personal choice, but this post is about celebrating breastfeeding. Nay sayers like yourself don’t help those of us who so desperately want to breastfeed, yet struggle every day. My son is now 9 weeks old and I have had triple feed (nurse, pump, then feed pumped milk in a bottle) for the last 7. Thank goodness for groups like La Leche League who have supported me in my choice to give as much breast milk as possible. If you don’t want to breastfeed, that’s fine, but don’t be so rude to those who do.

- finnaryn on July 4th, 2006

finnaryn, I’m not a naysayer nor stopping you or any one else who choses to breastfeed. Nor was I rude, so don’t be rude to me. I stated that my life experience is different and so are the choices of my family; I’m not infringing on anyone by stating so. I simply resent that this issue is being poliicized and that there is a bias against mothers who bottle feed. Women already have enough problems in this world without us being at each others’ throats over a personal and private choice that is completely irrelevant to each other.

- Nicolletta on July 5th, 2006

I support breastfeeding but feel that it’s a personal choice. No woman should ever be made to feel inadequate or less of a mother if they don’t breastfeed.

Breastfeeding may be natural, but I was surprised to find that it doesn’t necessarily come easy.

The first few weeks can be rough: sore, cracked nipples, engorgement, leaking, etc. I was also concerned with whether or not my baby was getting enough to eat, since it’s obviously not like a bottle where you can see how many ounces they’ve had.

For me it was helpful to know that these things are normal and that with some helpful hints & tips, as well as perseverance; I finally got the hang of it, and so did my son.

I’m grateful that the LLL group is around to give support, especially to brand new mothers.

- gargoylegurl on July 5th, 2006

nicolletta. you are coming across as rather ignorant to be honest. the reason why breastfeeding is ‘policized’ is because it is without a doubt to best way for a baby to be fed. i could go on to list numerous reasons but know this is not hte place. i personally find it odd that any mother would choose not to breastfeed their baby from the outset without giving it a shot. the human race would have died out – there certainly weren’t bottles of formula in the caves!!
i think it’s great to publicise celebs who breastfeed. i also think this is a fab website

- kate zealley on July 5th, 2006

Kate–wow, now your comment was rude! How ignorant of you to not understand some of the difficulties women face while breatfeeding. Not every woman has a job that even allows them to breastfeed and they don’t have the opportunity to stay home. Others, on the other hand, can breastfeed but choose not to and luckily we don’t live in caves anymore otherwise this might be a problem but note, we don’t. My mother couldn’t breastfeed, she couldn’t, not that she didn’t want to, but could not. I can’t stand when sites like this one becomes a boxing ring between breastfeeders v. non-breastfeeders….but I cannot stand by when people become so crass!

- Hilary Crook on July 5th, 2006

The reason we are supporting World Breastfeeding Week and La Leche League is to support women who want to breastfeed and need assistance. NOWHERE does it say in the above post that YOU should breastfeed.

I will say it again: We are NOT making a statement that YOU or ANYONE should breastfeed. We wish to support La Leche League’s efforts to educate and assist women who wish to breastfeed.

I am not trying to use this site to convert anyone who is not interested in breastfeeding. Any way you feed your baby is the best way for you and your baby. It’s none of my or anyone’s business. If you wish to breastfeed but are having trouble or want to learn more about what makes breastfeeding so great, we hope you will take advantage of La Leche League’s free support.

- Danielle, CBB Publisher on July 5th, 2006

Thank you CBB for supporting breastfeeding mothers! I’ve breastfed both of my children and had such difficulty getting started the first time around. I had to triple feed for the first three months and my son only slept 45 minutes at a time, which meant I was sleeping about 5 minutes at a time! If it had not been for helpful lactation consultants I don’t know what I would have done. It is a blessing that such people exist, along with support groups for women such as myself who choose to breastfeed but have difficulty. As for the back and forth battle going on here, it’s a shame. I am the only breastfeeding mother among my friends and I neither judge them, nor do they judge me. Everyone is different and their mothering is different. I always joke that if I wasn’t so stubborn there’s no way I would have kept at it. I suppose that’s one way my stubbornness has benefited my children, but I’m sure there are other effect not so positive! No one is perfect but we all do our best! Thank you CBB and thank you LLL!

- augustmoon on July 5th, 2006

I support World Breast Feeding Week. Women who choose to breastfeed and expectant mothers who are considering breastfeeding need all the support, education, information and encouragement they can get. It’s not anti-formula, it’s pro-breastmilk!

- Sadie on July 5th, 2006

For all those who feel breastfeeding is “unnatural” maybe you should read more about it. I feel you should do what you want with your body and your children, but those who dislike breastfeeding or those who dislike formula feeding should respect those who have made their choice.
I have seen some women who can not breastfeed (cancer, deformation, whatever) and then feel as if they are being demonized for using formula. In the United States formula is a viable choice because we have a clean water supply and access to medicine other poorer countries do not.
Also, I have seen people in this country who look at a breastfeeding woman with disgust. Women see it as something vile, while men become jealous. I think that if you don’t like being stared at whn you eat, then don’t stare at a breastfeeding baby!
Now my personal look; I was breastfed. I breastfed my 3 & 1/2 year old until he was 2. I will breastfeed my almost-here baby for as long as I can. My mother is a Lactation Consultant and has supported breastfeeding since before I was born. She is also a nurse, so she is understanding of personal choices. I feel lucky because I was brought up in that environment. I had a hard time convincing my husband that it was OK for him to “lend” my breasts to our son. His older sons were formula fed. Looking at our son now, he sees huge differences. I am glad that he has been educated because he is my greatest supporter.
OK, rant over!!!

- StephRainey on July 5th, 2006

I am so glad to see breastfeeding becoming the “norm” in America. I chose to formula feed my first son because I just didn’t have any breastfeeding info. It’s now the GREATIST mistake of my life! I breastfed his 2 younger brothers until they were 2. I also see differences. I don’t think it should be a choice-I think breasemilk is a babies BIRTHRIGHT!

- Robyn on July 5th, 2006

I’m tired of these Breastfeeding craziness. My mother could not breastfeed because she didn’t get any milk, my diet was supplemented in other ways I turned out natural. But this was back in the day when things were natural not like today when chemicals rule our world. I do not have any children and if I get blessed to get breastmilk for sure I will breast feed my babies. In this world, I have never seen such disregard for children that they are denied breastmilk from their mothers. My godmother had a REALLY difficult time breastfeeding in the beginning, she spent 2 weeks trying to get her baby to breastfeed and she did it. I think others would have given up. What I’m trying to say is that yes, breastfeeding is a choice, but think about the benefit…a healthy happy child or perky breasts?

- Coco on July 5th, 2006

Okay, here is a question, when I was born, my mom attempted to breastfeed but I didn’t want ANYTHING to do with it. So she gave me formula and I loved it and thrived. Was she supposed to let me starve so I could go through the birthright of having breastmilk? Figure if she held out long enough I would take it?

- AnniKat on July 5th, 2006

Breastfeeding has to be promoted by websites like CBB. Nobody pays for breastmilk, so support like this is integral to get the word out about LLL and benefits of breastmilk. Billion dollar industries like formula companies do not need this type of support. Just like you are probably not offended by a zillion ads for fast food restaurants do not let this ‘ad’ for breastfeeding offend you. Some people choose to breastfeed and some do not. Formula cans have directions on the back and well breasts do not. In a breastfeeding relationship there will most likely be times when a mother has questions. It’s great that there are places to go to get information so the nursing relationship can be continued for the benefit of both mom & baby!

- DancingMom on July 5th, 2006

Oh, I’m all for breast feeding if it is right for you. I just know it doesn’t work for some people. I wish that everyome that wanted to was able, but I know it doesn’t always work like that.

- AnniKat on July 5th, 2006

I do agree that LLL is great and should be supported and the more awareness of the benefits of breastfeeding can only be positive, however I don’t think people are offended by the posting per se but by some of the comments that “look down” upon those who do/did not breastfeed. I wasn’t breastfed and I turned out fine ;o)

- Hilary on July 5th, 2006

I’m so tired of hearing all these women who are against breastfeeding, or think it’s unnatural, or get all bent out of shape because of stuff like this offering breastfeeding support. First off, I would love to know how it is that breastfeeding is “unnatural” when every female mammal, including humans, have breasts or teats to produce milk to feed their offspring? Pretty sure that is THE OPPOSITE of unnatural. I don’t see formula being manufactured by mother’s bodies. Secondly, why is it that some formula feeding mothers get all mad or insulted or whatever else because others offer support, advice, or even discuss breastfeeding. GET OVER IT. Obviously you aren’t completely happy or confident in your choice to formula feed, or you wouldn’t sit there getting all pissed off because there are some who reach out for help and dedicate themselves so they can breastfeed. You don’t see many breastfeeding moms getting all mad because there’s others talking about different brands of formula or bottles. Breastfeeding obviously involves a lot of time and work, unlike bottle feeding, and there shouldn’t be any stupid issue because a woman wants some support in achieving a smoothly running feeding routine. There’s nothing wrong with formula, nor is there any wrong with breastmilk, so stop getting you panties in a knot.

- Mommyx1 on July 5th, 2006

I just don’t see this as breastmilk vs formula debate. It’s not really about those who can’t or those who won’t. It’s about mothers who want to breastfeed but don’t have the support or the knowledge to know what to do when they have problems. It’s all to easy to give up and reach for the formula when you think your baby doesn’t want your breastmilk or you think you don’t have enough milk, especially if you don’t have anyone to help and encourage you. This is about supporting mothers who want to breastfeed in a bottle-feeding culture, giving them the knowledge and the support they need to be successful.

- Sadie on July 5th, 2006

Thank you for doing this, Danielle. La Leche League is desperately in need of financial support right now, and the services they offer (for free!) are also desperately needed right now. Many of the comments in this thread show how far we have to go in this country to educate women about the importance of breastfeeding, and this site’s financial support of LLL will help further that goal. THANK YOU!!!

- Elizabeth on July 5th, 2006

I am closing the comments because our support of breastfeeding and World Breastfeeding Week has NOTHING to do with formula or mothers who use or supplement with formula.

By supporting World Breastfeeding Week, the Celebrity Baby Blog is trying to raise awareness of breastfeeding and trying to raise money to support La Leche League, an organization that aims to help women who breastfeed. If you formula feed, or think breastfeeding is weird, simply ignore the posts. But if we can help readers who wish to learn more about breastfeeding, wonderful.

As CBB Reader Sadie wrote, “This is about supporting mothers who want to breastfeed in a bottle-feeding culture, giving them the knowledge and the support they need to be successful.”

FYI… The formula industry spends $46 million dollars each year on advertising. What kind of ad budget do mammary glands have?

- Danielle, CBB Publisher on July 5th, 2006