quick clicks

babies today articles

babies today q&a

toddlers today articles

toddlers today q&a

breastfeed.com articles

breastfeed.com q&a

message boards

research baby names

prepare a birth plan

content channels

ip channel rss feeds

read birth stories

read parenting stories

recommended books

e-newsletters

safety recalls

ip diaries

ip store

mom of the month

dad of the month

editor's letter

letters to the editor

It's in the Bag

Hospital Gifts That
Encourage Breastfeeding

By Teri Brown

has provided sling information. Several other companies have been contacted and are deciding what to send. Breast pads, nursing bra catalogs, cream samples and informational pamphlets are all ideas to be included in such a bag.

"This is great PR and advertising for the companies," says Flores. "How better to reach a breastfeeding mom with information than to send it home from the hospital with them?"

If you want to start a similar program in your community, Flores suggests that you contact your local hospital's OB unit. From there you should form a coalition to work toward the goal. "Divide and conquer has worked well for us," she says. "Sally is responsible for all of the leg work in the hospital. That is a huge task with all of the lengthy steps. I contacted companies (local and national) requesting info, samples, ideas, coupons, etc. Other people are working on their own courses of action."

All three women are quick to point out that a project like this is a long process, with many details that have to be worked out. "This takes some time and energy," says Timmons. "It is not something that will happen overnight, but it is an endeavor worth working toward to help breastfeeding moms."

Want to see more?

• Lactivism 101: 5 Ways to Support Breastfeeding
• From Mother to Mother: 6 Simple and Subtle Ways to Promote Breastfeeding
• The Next Generation: Passing on the Importance of Breastfeeding
• Talk about it!