RICHMOND, Va. (WRIC) — A new law for breastfeeding moms, combined with a social media push means you’ll be seeing some unexpected things around town next month — from stickers to life-size cut outs.
This year the first week of august belongs to the moms. Breast feeding moms that is. And don’t be surprised if you run into life-size cutouts of mommy and baby placed throughout the city.
This is the first year for the RVA Breastfeeds campaign, and organizers are hoping their message will stick.
“What we wanted to do with this campaign is to raise community awareness of why this is important because a lot of people think of it as just a women’s issue, but it has a significant public health impact,” said Leslie Lytle, breast feeding coordinator for the Richmond Healthy Start Initiative.
According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, new moms should breastfeed for at least the first six months.
Not only is it bonding time, but it also provides vital health benefits for babies.
But it’s something Lytle says isn’t that easy for most moms.
“There are a variety of barriers, social norms being one of them, embarrassment about breast feeding in public, lack of education,” she explained.
Another hurdle facing new moms — having to return to work before the recommended six month time frame.
The RVA Breastfeeds campaign is pushing for more acceptance of public breastfeeding with these “Breastfeeding Welcome Here” stickers, for businesses to display.
“If you indicate that you’re welcoming of this, then women are going to feel more comfortable in that environment breastfeeding,” Lytle said.
The RVA Breastfeeds campaign kicks off August 1.
