WILLIAMS HOSTS MOTHER’S DAY RALLY TO IN UPPER MERION TWP.
LARGE GROUP TURNS OUT TO SUPPORT BREASTFEEDING

 HARRISBURG, MAY 12 – State Sen. Connie Williams stood among frolicking children, handmade signs, moms, dads, grandmothers, aunts, adopted family members, and friends during a rally today in Upper Merion Township.

 While the atmosphere was lighthearted and fun, the rally participants delivered an important message – for breastfeeding to remain a viable option for new moms, there must be education and better efforts to accommodate the needs of nursing moms.

 “Mother’s Day weekend seemed to be the best time to hold a rally to talk about an important health issue – breastfeeding,” Williams said. “Since I introduced legislation in Pennsylvania to make the state a more breastfeeding-friendly place to live, work and go to school, I have heard from hundreds of people who support breastfeeding. I also heard stories about the impediments that they faced when they tried to breastfeed their child – from accommodations at the office or school to discrimination at restaurants and other public places.”

 Breastfeeding is the first method women used to feed their newborns from the beginning of time. Breastfeeding has been show to lower the rate of sudden infant death syndrome, lower the potential risk of certain cancers and ensure children have fewer cavities.

 In talking about the benefits of breastfeeding, Williams noted the positive effects it has on children, mothers, the economy and the environment. For children, breastfeeding supports optimal development and protects against acute and chronic illness, including some forms of cancer. Mothers who breastfeed recover from pregnancy and childbirth sooner than those who don’t. Breastfeeding reduces the need for costly health services that must be paid for by insurers, government, agencies or families. It reduces the number of sick days that families must use to care for their sick children.

 “With all of these benefits, shouldn’t we make sure that every mom knows about breastfeeding and can take advantage of it,” Williams said.

 The need to raise awareness and educate the public and new moms about the value of breastfeeding is great.

 “Not only does the United States have one of the lowest breastfeeding rates in the industrialized world, but statistical surveys of families show that over half of mothers with children under one are in the labor force,” Williams said. “If we support breastfeeding mothers returning to work, mothers are more likely to be productive and loyal to the company.”

 According to Williams, the same can be said for the need for support in high schools and colleges.

 “There are many young responsible women who have children and want to return to finish their high school education or take college classes,” Williams said. “If we offer them the support they need, more young women will be able to achieve their educational goals.”

 Williams is offering a package of bills to protect and support breastfeeding mothers and to help businesses to support them, as well.

 Her bills would:
 

• protect the right of a mother to breastfeed her child in a public or private location where they are otherwise authorized to be present.

• ensure that a breastfeeding mother cannot be fired or discriminated against in the workplace for breastfeeding or expressing milk during lunches or breaks.

• allow tax credits to businesses that support breastfeeding mothers by establishing lactation programs, hiring a lactation consultant, or promoting a lactation-friendly work environment.

 Maternity Care Coalition and Medela, two local organizations that work to educate the public about the benefits of breastfeeding, sponsored Williams’ rally.

 In closing, Williams wished all of the moms – biological and adopted -- grandmothers, aunts and other adopted “moms” a happy Mother’s Day.