New Resources for Working Moms, Employers

Not-for-profit advocacy group MomsRising has added new resources for both working mothers and employers to its website. These free tools include guides for employees on proposing a flexible work arrangement, information for employers or managers who are considering the advantages of offering various flexible work options, and tips for stay-at-home moms who are considering re-entering the workforce and/or working from home or starting their own small business. These and other related resources are available at: http://www.momsrising.org/work.

World Breastfeeding Week

August 1-7, 2008 will be World Breastfeeding Week, and the World Alliance for Breastfeeding Action (WABA) is calling for increased support for mothers “striving to achieve the gold standard of infant feeding: To breastfeed their babies exclusively for the first six months, and continue breastfeeding, together with feeding other appropriate complementary foods, for up to two years and beyond.” For informational resources, free downloads and details on breastfeeding-promoting activities, go to http://www.worldbreastfeedingweek.org. Tying in to the 2008 Summer Olympics, also taking place in August, WABA is also sharing the breastfeeding message with its own “virtual torch run.” To learn more, go to http://www.worldbreastfeedingweek.org/worldwide.htm

CA Labor Commissioner Cites Company For Not Providing Lactation Accommodation to Employee

Santa Clara-June 20, 2008-California Labor Commissioner Angela Bradstreet today announced the issuance of a citation to a Santa Clara-based International Security Services, Inc. for failing to provide private accommodations for an employee to express breast milk for her newborn. The citation is the first of its kind since the law took effect in 2002. A fine of $4,000 has been assessed.

"Under the law, employers are obligated to accommodate employees who wish to provide breast milk for their infant children," Bradstreet said. "This employer failed to provide a reasonable amount of break time and a private room for an employee to express milk for her baby as required."

The labor commissioner received a complaint -- the first lodged as a result of the 2002 legislation -- from the employee on March 7, which prompted an investigation. The investigation revealed that the employee was not provided an appropriate, designated room. Initially the room that was provided was computer server room with security cameras. This offered an inadequate level of privacy needed to perform the milk expressing process.

Labor Code sections 1030-1033 became law in 2001 and mandates every employer, regardless of size, to provide a reasonable amount of time to accommodate expressing of breast milk and to make reasonable efforts to provide the employee with the use of a room or other location, other than a bathroom, in close proximity to the employees work area to express milk in private.

Bradstreet urged women who are not being provided appropriate accommodations for milk expressing to contact her office and file a complaint.

"This is not the type of law that we can address with enforcement sweeps and filing a complaint is important so that we can correct the violation and educate the employer," added Bradstreet.

The DLSE adjudicates wage claims, investigates discrimination and public works complaints, and enforces state labor law and Industrial Welfare Commission wage orders. To learn more about the functions of the California Labor Commissioner, visit our web site at www.dir.ca..gov/dlse.

UNICEF Features New Findings on Breastfeeding Support

UNICEF’s Baby Friendly Initiative website is featuring two new studies about the importance of providing quality breastfeeding support to new mothers. Published in the Journal of Advanced Nursing and the European Journal of Public Health, these studies take a closer look at interventions that make a positive difference for infants and families in the earliest days after birth – and far beyond. Go to http://www.babyfriendly.org.uk/page.asp?page=13

Lamaze Launches Weekly E-newsletter for Parents

Lamaze is proud to announce the launch of our new personalized weekly e-mail newsletter for expectant parents, Lamaze... Building Confidence Week by Week. Free weekly e-mails from Lamaze feature trustworthy information, practical tips and inspirational stories to help guide women and families through pregnancy, birth and beyond.

Unlike other weekly e-mail services on commercial Web sites, Lamaze... Building Confidence Week by Week:
* Focuses on health and wellness, not a laundry list of possible complications.
* Honors the amazing work of pregnancy and birth, and helps women gain confidence in their own instincts and strengths.
* Believes strongly in parents’ rights to safe and effective maternity care, full information, and the freedom to choose or refuse tests and treatments, and care that is sensitive to personal and cultural preferences.
*Follows a very strict advertising policy, and complies fully with the World Health Organization’s International Code of Marketing of Breastmilk Substitutes.

No Added Sugar in Breast Milk, Unlike Formula

In a country where childhood obesity is an epidemic, parents must be cautious of what they feed their children, starting in infancy. A recent article in The New York Times reports that all formulas contain added sugar, and that Similac Organic formula is sweetened with cane sugar (sucrose), a much sweeter sugar. Breast milk, on the other hand, provides the perfect nutrition for babies while reducing the risk of, infections, chronic diseases and childhood obesity. Read more in a recent press release distributed by Lamaze.

July Store Specials

This month we are celebrating with 10% off all red, white and blue Essential Nursing Tanks from Bravado! We also have a limited number of matching shrugs to complete your ensemble.

If you're looking for a soft, cuddly treat for baby...all Under the Nile clothes, blankets, toys and accessories are also on sale - a great time to pick up these beautiful organic cotton items!