August is National Breastfeeding Month!

I hope everyone had a fun, educational World Breastfeeding Week!  We ended ours on a great note, with nine moms at the GEMs meeting last week!  We discussed at length about low milk supply, you could see the stress in these moms' eyes.  However, I think the moms were offering great advice and encouragement, as they listened to each others' stories of hospitalization and pumping efforts!  Kim also passed out some information regarding nutritional needs of a breastfeeding/pumping mom, which is especially helpful for the stressed NICU mom who often forgets to eat or does not eat balanced meals!  It is important to eat well (an extra 300-500 calories per day!), stay hydrated (8-10 glasses of water a day!), try to relax (sleep!), and remember to pump frequently.

It was very inspiring to hear everyone's stories, because although the specific situations and diagnoses are different, all the moms shared a common bond in that they are worried about their children and worried about providing sufficient breast milk to help their babies heal and grow!  I hope the group provided good information and comfort!

This month we gifted a Nursing Pillow and one of our World Breastfeeding Week t-shirts!  From t-shirt sales this month we were able to raised over double the amount we raised in 2012 to help support GEMs...thank you to everyone!  And thank you, mommies, for the amazing time and effort you are putting in to make milk for your little ones...even the smallest amount each day will give them immune protection that we are unable to provide as health care providers!

Happy World Breastfeeding Week, Part II

Here are some pictures of CHOP's WBW events!

Our GEMs poster displayed in our hospital lobby, created by Kim and her crafty daughters!

Here we have our beautiful supportive nurses! From Left: Brianna O. (Breastfeeding Committee co-chair), Rosie W. (GEMs co-founder), and Kim K. (GEMs co-founder)

 Here are some posters created by other units in the hospital in support of breastfeeding.  These posters are entered into a  hospital-wide competition for best Family Education poster and best Staff Education poster!

Above we have CHOP's World Breastfeeding Week table, with informative posters, and a raffle of goods all donated by local vendors!!  The raffle is open to all employees and CHOP families!

Kim is modeling our 2013 GEMs t-shirts with the WBW logo on the back! These t-shirts are offered for purchase, proceeds of which will benefit GEMs!

What a great start to an important international event!

Happy World Breastfeeding Week, Part I

What a super relevant theme this year, "Breastfeeding Support: Close to Mothers"!  G.E.M.s was created to offer support and education for our moms of hospitalized infants, and throughout the months the impact has been amazing! To see moms gain confidence in their desire to provide breast milk for their babies is incredible, but even more inspiring has been the support these moms have given to each other!  One of the most common comments we receive from participants is that is is helpful to meet other moms in their similar situations with a sick infant, low supply, large supply, or just plain fatigue and irritation from exclusively pumping!  Kim and I applaud your efforts to giving your babies the best nutrition and infection protection, and also for supporting and encouraging other moms around you!

Also, a special shout-out (again) to the extra-special, and super important support person in a breastfeeding/pumping mom's life! that would be husbands/boyfriends, parents, friends, siblings...anyone who has cheered these moms on to continue pumping or breastfeeding, helped clean pumping equipment, and reminded moms of the importance of providing breast milk!  You are all the most influential people in a woman's life, and without your encouragement and support most moms would give up...so, Thank You!!

A most Happy World Breastfeeding Week to all moms out there who have provided their babies with one day or one year of breast milk for their infants, whether healthy or sick!  You are all changing our societal views about the normalcy of breastfeeding...please continue to encourage each other and if you find that you need extra support please reach out, to online support groups, as well as community support groups!