Live in LA or Ventura County? Does your work support breastfeeding? Wish they did? TAKE A LOOK!

Breastfeeding Task Force of Greater Los Angeles

www.BreastfeedLA.org

Breastfeeding Works is a project of the Breastfeeding Task Force of Greater Los Angeles. Through funding from First 5 LA and California Endowment, the goal of Breastfeeding Works is to promote support for lactation in the workplace.

As of January 2002, the State of California passed a law (AB 1025) requiring employers to provide time and private space to express breast milk during the day. Mothers who return to work need a clean, private location in the workplace to do this throughout the workday in order to maintain their milk supply.

Breastfeeding friendly workplaces have been shown to decrease employee absenteeism by up to 57% due to the health benefits for both mother and baby, while enhancing employee productivity, loyalty, and morale.

Check out the link below to get more info or to help your employer support lactation in the workplace.

http://www.breastfeedingworks.org/index.htm

Car Seat Safety

I would like to pass on some life saving information. I know that parents are eager for their little ones to reach milestones. Turning the car seat forward is NOT a milestone you want your little one to hit. Even if they are at or past the recommended 1 year old and 20 pound point, it is still safer to keep your little one in a rear facing car seat as long as possible.

Also I encourage parents and caregivers to have their car seat professionally installed or checked to make sure it is secure. Experts say four out of five car seats are installed incorrectly. Check the link out below for your local office to have your car seat checked out.
http://www.seatcheck.org/

http://aapnews.aappublications.org/cgi/content/full/30/4/12-a

Advice for a stress-free pregnancy in a recession

(Tori Kropp Advises Women on Staying Positive and Relaxed During Pregnancy)

Tori Kropp is known as the "Dear Abby" for pregnant women around the world. A decade ago, she created the enormously popular Web site, www.storknet.com, where pregnant women from all over the world write to her to ask about issues they are experiencing with their pregnancies.

She is also the author of the book " The Joy of Pregnancy," which addresses all the issues pregnant women face with a positive focus on empowering and relaxing women during those nine months.

Recognizing that the current economic climate has created more issues and stress for pregnant women, Kropp has developed a few unique ideas pregnant women should use that will help alleviate their economic stress, better prepare them for the future and, most importantly, relax them.

Here are some of her tips:

Take An Accounting Class
Mothers are the "CEOs" of their families. By knowing how to balance books and manipulate money, women can take back control of their finances. Knowing what is going on economically and having knowledge of what can be done with money can help alleviate stress.

Be Proud of Being Pregnant
Just like telling people it is your birthday gets you an extra piece of cake, telling people you are pregnant will also help you get better deals or discounts on things, such as home heating oil. Since oil companies compete against others, telling them you are pregnant and you need this oil for your baby may open up a little room for bargaining on price and save you up to 10 to 30 cents a gallon, which could save hundreds of dollars in the winter.

Take Advantage of At-Home Temp Jobs
If you are not working or if you have time on your hands after working, there are various opportunities for at-home temp jobs. Some jobs that can be done at home are proofreading for authors and typing documents. This can also be beneficial as a way to earn extra money after the baby is born.

See a Therapist
Pregnancy is stressful enough. But with the current economic conditions it can be even more so, making it potentially harmful to you and your baby. Seeing a therapist will help the mother work through her worries and have a healthier pregnancy and baby.

Learn to Meditate
Meditation is a great way to relax, and it can be done anywhere. There are many great books that teach you how to do it and many great classes to take, too. Once again, being relaxed and of sound mind is vital to having an enjoyable and healthy pregnancy.

Learn to Sew and Knit
It is easy to do and a great hobby to do at anytime. An expectant mother can make beautiful clothes or blankets that would normally cost a fortune for a fraction of the price. If you know how to sew, you can repair clothing instead of spending money on new clothes.