WILLIAMS TO SPEAK AT CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL DURING BREASTFEEDING WEEK

HARRISBURG, JULY 31 – State Sen. Connie Williams will speak about the health benefits and the socio-cultural influences that have impacted breastfeeding at The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia during the hospital's weeklong observance of World Breastfeeding Week.

Williams will talk to staff during nursing grand rounds from noon to 1 p.m. on Thursday, Aug. 2^nd in the Stokes Auditorium of Children's Hospital.

"There is a somewhat baffling double standard that surrounds the issue of breastfeeding," Williams said. "Breastfeeding was at one time viewed as a natural extension of motherhood and something that new mothers automatically gravitated toward, but today, it is sometimes viewed as obscene or lewd behavior. At the same time, clothing has become more revealing, and what is acceptable on television shows and movies under the general rating system has become less conservative."

Williams will speak about the historical perspective on breastfeeding, as well as talking about the role health-care professionals can play in educating the public about the health and nutritional value of breast milk, as well as providing instruction for new mothers on how to breastfeed.

"Issues such as breastfeeding are foreign to many policy makers. They are sometimes thought of as private family concerns and relegated to the taboo realm of women's health topics," Williams said. "As a public figure, I've had an opportunity to move public policy on issues affecting women and babies, including breastfeeding. I introduced legislation that has become law to protect a woman's ability to breastfeed in public locations. "

Williams stressed that women should not be harassed while feeding their babies in public or at work. They should not be penalized for structuring their workday to allow for expressing milk.

Historically, the trend away from breastfeeding began in the 1880's when mothers began supplementing their own milk with cows' milk. By the turn of the century, physicians and public health officials recognized the negative effect of cows' milk on the health of infants. In the early 20^th century there was a national campaign encouraging breastfeeding. With the introduction of pasteurization and later baby formula, mothers again began moving away from breastfeeding. From the 1930's to the early 1970's, mothers continued to supplement their own milk and weaned their infants in the first few weeks and months of life. More and more mothers did not breastfeed at all. By 1971, breastfeeding reached an all-time low in the United States.

Initiation rates increased in the late 1970's only to surge through the 1980's and 1990's. More recent studies stress the importance of breastfeeding exclusively.

"The next steps should include more education for new moms, society and the scientific and medical communities; creating supportive environments to encourage more new moms to breastfeed; and making accommodations in the workplace," Williams said.

Williams' legislation (S.B. 34, Act 28 of 2007) supports a woman's ability to breastfeed in public locations. She's also introduced legislation (S.B. 35) that would ensure that women cannot be fired or discriminated against in the workplace for expressing milk or breastfeeding during lunch or breaks; and a bill (S.B. 36) that would allow tax credits for businesses that support breastfeeding mothers by establishing lactation programs, for costs associated with establishing a clean, private environment for women to pump, purchase or rental of equipment, to hire a lactation consultant or otherwise promote a lactation-friendly work environment.

The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia was founded in 1855 as the nation's first pediatric hospital. Through its long-standing commitment to providing exceptional patient care, training new generations of pediatric healthcare professionals and pioneering major research initiatives, Children's Hospital has fostered many discoveries that have benefited children worldwide. Its pediatric research program is among the largest in the country, ranking second in National Institutes of Health funding. In addition, its unique family-centered care and public service programs have brought the 430-bed hospital recognition as a leading advocate for children and adolescents.  For more information, visit www.chop.edu.