La Leche League of South Bend

We just received word that the Tutt Branch Library will be closing September 1st for remodeling and will not be reopening till sometime in 2009. We are working on finding a new location so keep checking back for updates.

Drs. Kathleen Kendall-Tackett and Thomas Hale are researching mothers' sleep and fatigue, and invite mothers with babies under 12 mos. old to take their survey. They would like to include breastfeeding and non-breastfeeding women, and women of all ethnicities and income levels. The survey takes 20-30 min. and is completely confidential. It has been approved by the Institutional Review Board at Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Amarillo, Texas. The link for the survey is: http://neonatal.ttuhsc.edu/lact The researchers hope to document: Where and how much do babies sleep? Are mothers who breastfeed and co-sleep more or less tired than mothers who don’t? Are mothers telling their friends, relatives and health care providers where their babies sleep? Are there ethnic group differences in where babies sleep? What is the role of depression, psychological trauma and difficult birth in mothers’ ongoing daytime fatigue? www.GraniteScientific.com www.Breastfee...

Dear Friends, It is with the deepest sadness that we share with you that Edwina Froehlich, co-Founder of La Leche League International, passed away on June 8, 2008 at Northwest Community Hospital in Arlington Heights, Illinois, USA, after suffering a stroke on May 25. Edwina is survived by her three sons, three daughters-in-law and nine grandchildren as well as her many friends and the organization she helped found. Funeral and memorial arrangements are pending. Please visit www.llli.org/edwina.html for more information and to leave a message at the online memorial to Edwina. As soon as you are able, please share this message with Leaders who may not have email. Sincerely, Jane Tuttle, Chairman of the Board Barbara Emanuel, Executive Director

WASHINGTON (AP) -- The Food and Drug Administration on Friday warned women not to use or purchase Mommy's Bliss Nipple Cream, marketed by MOM Enterprises Inc. of San Rafael, California. The cream, promoted to nursing mothers to help soothe dry or cracked nipples, contains ingredients that may cause respiratory distress, vomiting and diarrhea in infants, the agency said. The potentially harmful ingredients in the cream are chlorphenesin and phenoxyethanol. The full article can be read at http://www.cnn.com/2008/HEALTH/05/23/fda.nipple.cream.ap/index.html

Good News. SB 219 – lactation support in the workplace passed the full House on 3rd (and final) reading by a vote of 90 – 3!! It’s now off to the Governor for his signature and will then become law. You can find out more about this bill here .

By Sherri Hedberg, IBCLC The holidays are a joyful time, but they also bring their share of stress. When you add a nursing baby to the list of things to do, especially if this is your first holiday with your new baby, it can bring some special challenges. Below are some tips that may help! 1. Don't forget to nurse the baby. This may sound like a very funny statement, but it is not uncommon. With all the extra activity, both mom and baby may get distracted and miss an occasional nursing. Especially when traveling, you need to be sure that your baby isn't going too long between nursings. The reason that this is important is that it can increase your risk for getting a plugged duct or a breast infection. So, try to stay as close as possible to your regular nursing pattern. 2. Mom, eat well! Those holiday treats may look yummy, but be sure that you eat a meal first! You do not have to follow a strict diet to breastfeed, but you still need good food for energy! Also, be sure ...

All St. Joseph County Public Library Locations are closed today (Tuesday Dec 11th), due to weather.