Two firsts

1: Baby's first antobiotic. N has an infection in his thumb, which could possibly cause tissue damage if it gets worse. So, after 19 months of no medicine stronger than Infants' Motrin (I blame breastmilk), my kid's on Keflex.

2: My first ever letter to a member of the (state) legislature. This nice little bill comes up for debate tomorrow--HB 2284:
"AN ACT concerning children; relating to breastfeeding.
Be it enacted by the Legislature of the State of Kansas:
Section 1. (a) Breast milk is widely acknowledged to be the most
complete form of nutrition for infants, with a range of benefits for infant’s
health, growth, immunity and development and has also been shown to
improve maternal health and bonding in addition to contributing to society
at large through economic and environmental gains, it is therefore
the public policy of Kansas that a mother’s choice to breastfeed should
be supported and encouraged to the greatest extent possible.
(b) A mother may breastfeed in any place she has a right to be.
Sec. 2. This act shall take effect and be in force from and after its
publication in the Kansas register."

It's been said that one of the house reps is going to suggest an amendment tomorrow excluding retail establishments from this law. That makes no sense to me. So here's my letter:


Dear Ms. Landwehr;
I am greatly distressed to hear that you are considering suggesting the amendment of HB 2284 to exempt retailers from honoring a mother's right to breastfeed her baby anywhere the mother has a right to be. As a soon to be breastfeeding mother (again), I sincerely hope this is only a rumor.

I find that in order to ensure the smooth running of my household, much of my time (and that of other mothers I know) is spent in retail establishments with my child in tow, and I can't imagine what good it would do the local economy to pass such an amendment, which would have the unfortunate effect of causing many nursing mothers to stay home for fear of harassment by ill-informed or uncomfortable people.

Such an amendment appears to be little more than a thinly veiled attempt at discriminating against breastfeeding mothers. Will you also suggest an amendment allowing retailers to ask a woman to leave for bottlefeeding her baby in their establishment?

With current breastfeeding rates as low as they are, it hardly seems wise from a public health perspective to recommend such an amendment. I have to wonder how doing so would "support and encourage" a mother's choice to breastfeed "to the greatest extent possible." I know of many mothers who have chosen not to breastfeed for fear of harassment for nursing in public. What a pity there is even a need for legislation to protect such a basic, normal function of mothering.

Public breastfeeding is not an issue of personal comfort. It is an issue of the health of Kansas' children.

Sincerely, etc


I really really hope this bill passes.