Warmest Greetings,

Last month I was grateful to attend the regional LLL Area Conference in Chelmsford. It was so wonderful to meet so many breastfeeding families and to see such an extended community.  The conference was filled with healthy breastfed babies, dedicated mothers, and many father's enjoying the pool and events with their children. 

A common theme throughout the conference was that we as a society do not consider breastfeeding the norm.  Even though breastfeeding is as old as our existence, it has to be fought for to be “the norm.”  Just as our bodies are designed to breathe for itself or fight illnesses, our bodies are designed to produce milk for our children through out the early years of their life.   

So how did we get so far off our primal path?  One reason is that we always speak of the  many benefits of breastfeeding as if it is the newest nutritional supplement on the market and formula is the norm.  We phrase breastfeeding research as “breastfeeding decreases your chance of adult cancers in mother and child.”  Instead, we should use breastfeeding as the base measurement from which we should report any wavering from.  Instead it should be published that: “Formula feeding will increase your chances of adult cancers in mother and child.   

Much in the news praises the benefits but really what benefits are there when it is the scale to which all other nourishment should be measured against?  If the news reports that breastfeeding increase a child’s IQ by almost 10 points; we as a society should really understand that formula decreases a child’s IQ by almost 10 points.  Instead of the “benefits of breastfeeding,” our conversations should be targeting the “risks of formula.” 

Many BLLLessings,
Erin Abrams, LLL Leader of Sturbridge, MA

Previous Meeting Notes:

Last months meeting was on Improving Family nutrition.   We had a a great discussion and swapped some tasty recipes.  A common questions that comes to our meetings is: "Should I give my nursing child vitamins?"  "According to LLL comprehensive guidebook, THE WOMANLY ART OF BREASTFEEDING, if a breastfeeding mother is getting an adequate supply of vitamins in her diet, her milk will contain adequate nutrients in the perfect balance for her baby. If your baby is healthy and doing well, there is no need for vitamins, iron, or other supplements in the early months.*"

Other supplements mothers inquire about:

Vitamin D Exclusively breastfed healthy, full-term infants from birth to six months who have adequate exposure to sunlight are not at risk for developing vitamin D deficiency or rickets. Rickets occurs because of a deficiency in sunlight exposure, not because of a deficiency in human milk.*

Iron According to THE BREASTFEEDING ANSWER BOOK, published by LLLI, the iron in human milk is better absorbed by your baby than is the iron in cow's milk or iron-fortified formula. This means that the quantity of iron in human milk is appropriate for baby instead of the larger quantity in cow's milk. The full-term healthy baby usually has no need of additional iron until about the middle of his first year, around the time he starts taking solids. The high lactose ad vitamin C levels in human milk aid the absorption of iron, and breastfed babies do not lose iron through their bowels.*

Fluoride The American Academy of Pediatrics recommended in its 1997 policy statement that babies younger than six months should NOT receive fluoride supplements and that babies older than six months receive supplements only if they live in an area where the drinking water contains less than 0.3 ppm of fluoride. Fluoride supplements tend to contribute to excess intestinal gas (wind).*

*Exerpt taken from LLLI.org: Should My Breastfed Baby Be Receiving Vitamin or Fluoride Supplements?  To read full article: http://www.llli.org/FAQ/vitamin.html.  To order the book: The Womanly Art of Breastfeeding, go to: http://store.llli.org/public/profile/201.

Mark Your Calendars & join in the FUN!!!
Toddler Playgroup:
Open to all mothers that have toddlers nursing and siblings or plan to nurse through toddler-hood.
Date: May 12th
Time: 10-11 AM
Location: Kennedy Donovan Center; Rt. 169 in Southbridge.
Please join us for some inside craft and fun, geared for children ages 0-5 years - siblings are welcomed. If the weather is warm then you can use the playground outside. First visit is FREE and then it is $2 to attend when you buy a pass or free for Southbridge residents. The program is mostly grant funded by the state and the fee is to help support the extra costs the state doesn't cover.
Click here for directions

Nighttime Meeting:
Date:   May 21st
Time: 7-8:30PM
Topic:  Risks of Formula A-Z (formally: The Benefits of Breastfeeding A – Z) Topic is flexible, your questions and concerns are top priority.
Location: Earth Spirits on Rt. 20 in Sturbridge
Our night time meeting is a time for mothers to uphold the LLL traditions - mother-to-mother support.  If LLL has helped supported you and your child in breastfeeding, please consider attending a meeting and offer another new nursing mother your support with your experience and stories of your adventure through breastfeeding.  Even though we have a leader facilitating the group, other stories and experiences are valuable to helping other nursing mothers. Breastfeeding babies and toddlers who would be unhappy away from their mothers are welcome.
Click here for directions.

Daytime Playgroup:
Open to all ages
Date:  May 29th 
Time: 10-11:00 AM
Location: If the weather is nice, we will be meeting at Spencer Playground.   If raining, we will meet at the Sturbridge Federated Church - check website night before for update.
Open to all moms, nursing children and siblings.  The Church has a nursery stocked full of great toys and there is an open area for kids to run around.  Click here for directions.

April marked a big step for breastfeeding mothers in Massachusetts as it was one of the few remaining states that did not protect the mother and child’s rite to breastfeed in public.  Now, if anyone harasses a nursing mother, they could face a $500 fine.

MGL chapter111, section 221 states: "A mother may breastfeed her child in any public place where the mother and her child may otherwise lawfully be present, with the exception of houses of worship or places of religious instruction."

No person or entity shall "restrict, harass, or penalize a mother" who is breastfeeding her child.  A civil action may be brought by a mother subjected to such harassment, and the court may award damages up to $500 and reasonable attorney fees.

	You don't have to join LLL to come to our meetings but by joining LLL of Sturbridge you help support YOUR breastfeeding community.  The $40 LLL Regular Membership  includes a discount in the LLLI Online Store, a subscription to New Beginnings Magazine and much more.  To find out more benefits and other levels of membership, visit http://www.llli.org/membership.html.
	New Beginnings Magazine Free with a 1 year membership - LLL Online Bi-Monthly magazine is filled with valuable information on breastfeeding and mother-to-mother sharing.
Please mail it directly to our chapter as your money will be directly contributing to your local community.  You can send check made out to LLL of Sturbridge, MA and mail it to PO Box 523, Sturbridge, MA 01566.

If you are in need of a book, please email Beth Sadecki at elizaspecials23@gmail.com  for any book that may be in our library. Beth can email you a list of books that range from breastfeeding, attachment parenting, discipline, tandem nursing, and more.

Items and events in this category are not associated with LLL and are listed here as a service to the community.  If you know of a community event, please email Erin at info@lllsturbridge.org by the first of the month.

Joshua Hyde Library, Sturbridge
On going Story Hour times - check website
May 9th: 11-11:45AM: Toad Abode Workshop.  Toads are beneficial to any garden. Create a welcome shelter for your garden. (ages 5-12)
May 9th: 3-3:45PM: Moms, Muffins and Me: Treat mom to a special afternoon of sharing snack, story and a craft.
May 30th: 10AM: The Great Tomato Giveaway and Gardeners' Fair
Giving away free tomato plants and celebrating local farms and local food. Help celebrate the amazing resources we have right here in Central Massachusetts. Visit the children's tent and do crafts from 12pm-1pm and story telling at 1pm.
More events at: http://www.town.sturbridge.ma.us/Public_Documents/SturbridgeMA_LibCal/?FormID=158&Date=20090501&calView=0

Community Baby Shower

Hi ALLL,
This May is the 3rd annual Community Baby Shower organized by the Healthy Families of Southern Worc. County. If you are interested in participating, please see the below letter by LLL friend Jenn Reed. LLL of Sturbridge will be there...
********************************************************

Hello!

It is hard to believe it is that time of year again - to start getting ready for our 3rd Annual Community Baby Shower. The purpose of the Community Baby Shower is to provide children and their families with health and safety information, and social service related information, as well as to promote healthy pregnancies and parenting. Families will have the opportunity to get information about local services available, as well as workshops on pregnancy, health, and child related topics. We are offering a variety of workshops, and free gift bag to all expectant/newly parenting families who register. This is an excellent opportunity for you to show off your program or agency, and provide helpful information to families. The baby shower (and its organizing network) is designed to reach 15 towns in Southern Worcester County, from Oxford to Warren, and back again.

This year's Baby Shower will take place on Thursday, May 14th from 12:30-4:30pm. Each organization is responsible for its own display and/ to choose a health/support related topic for new parents. This year topics will include child development, nutrition, self-care for new parents, newborn care, and more. Tables and chairs are provided.

Please let me know if you have any questions and please forward this email along to your distribution lists and any interested providers.
Best,
Jennifer C. Reed, MSW, LICSW
Program Director

Healthy Families of Southern Worcester County
of Worcester Community Action Council, Inc.
61 Pine Street
Southbridge, MA 01550

508.909.0061 ext. 10
508.909.0062 fax

jreed@wcac.net
www.wcac.net

Old Sturbridge Village Story/Craft Time
Wednesday's at 10am, OSV offers a preschool story and craft program.  The program lasts about 45 minutes and includes a story and a related hands-on activity in the Village with a costumed staff person.  It is a lot of fun and quite a unique preschool experience.  The cost is $3 per week for members' Children and $7 per week for children of non-members.  Adults are required to accompany the children, but are not charged admission to the program.  No registration is required. More info: 508-347-3362 or www.osv.org.

Music Man
Location: Sturbridge Coffee House
Fee: Free
Date(s) and Time(s): Tuesday from 4-5PM; Fridays from 10-11am
More info: Friday mornings have been so popular that SCH has added him to Tues. afternoons.  Armed with his guitar, harmonica and childhood classic songs, the Music Man gets the kids full of energy.  www.sturbridgecoffeehouse.com  

Story time for PreSchoolers at Broad Meadow Brook Programs
Location: Broad Meadow Brook Wildlife Sanctuary in Worcester
Fee: Adults $5.00 m/ $6.00 nm, Children $5.00 m/ $6.00 nm
More info: http://www.massaudubon.org/Nature_Connection/Sanctuaries/Broad_Meadow/index.php

Family Yoga: FlowForms Yoga on Lake Ave. in Worcester offers Family Yoga (and PreNatal workshops) each month.  Family Yoga is for children of all ages and the grown ups who love them. Play and explore in this nurturing and uplifting class, taught by LLL friend, Jen Faldetta.  Jen offers a heart opening class to share with your whole family - all ages are welcomed, it is worth the trip (and Trader Joes is right around the corner to make it more worth while ;).  Class is $18/class for two family members and $6.00 for each additional person.  More info: www.flowformsyoga.com.
 

La Leche League International has a mother-to-mother forum on their website that is a great resource for mothers to share experiences on their time.  Much like how LLL meetings first began: experienced mothers helping new moms, and friends supporting each other, the online forum is another way to tap into a breastfeeding support group.  To connect to the forum, go to: http://forums.llli.org.

Kennedy Donovan Center - Located on Rt. 169 in Southbridge. Look for the yellow building half way between Rt. 20 in Charlton and entering Southbridge on Rt. 169.  Sign has a big "KDC." on it.

EarthSpirits - http://earthspirits-herbals.com - Located on Rt. 20 (East bound side) above TJ O'Brien's.  After entering Sturbridge from the MASSPike, drive down Rt. 20 West, go to your fourth traffic light (at Rt. 20 and Cedar St.) and make a left hand turn to reverse your direction onto Rt. 20 East - immediately you will see the entrance to EarthSpirits.

Sturbridge Federated Church - Located between the Town Hall and Library.  take Rt. 131 off of Rt. 20 when entering Sturbridge.  Travel up a 1/4 mile and you will pass the Post Office (red building) on your left.  At the traffic light, take a left and park on your right side.  If you need additional parking you can park across the street in the back of the Town Hall.  The Federated Church is adjacent to the Joshua Hyde Library. Enter through the side entrance and take the elevator down to the nursery.  From the elevator, take a right and enter through the doors and the nursery is on your left.

Spencer Playground - From Rt. 20, take Rt. 49 to Spencer.  At the end of Rt. 49, take a right.  At your first stop light (McDonald's is on your right), take a left at the lights.  About 1 mile on your left you will see the playground but will have to turn left on a side road (sorry, not sure of the name of it) to access the playground and park. If you see the playground, you will see the road to take a left onto.

Submission are accepted by the first of each month, if not they will be included in the following month's newsletter.  Please send submissions to info@lllsturbridge.org.

To Unsubscribe, please email info@lllsturbridge.org.