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Subject:
From:
"Mary Cummins Med, Ibclc" <[log in to unmask]>
Reply To:
Lactation Information and Discussion <[log in to unmask]>
Date:
Tue, 15 Jul 1997 14:24:10 -0400
Content-Type:
text/plain
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Here's the complete text of news release from Gov. Pete Wilson's press
office.  It's very positive. Kudos to sponsoring Assemblyman Villariagrosa
and California breastfeeding advocates who worked on getting this passed.

WILSON SIGNS BILL ALLOWING MOTHERS TO BREASTFEED IN PUBLIC

For Immediate Release                                    Contact:  Sean Walsh
Monday, July 14, 1997                                                   Lisa
Kalustian
        916/445-4571

SACRAMENTO -- Continuing to promote the health and well being of mothers,
infants and children, Governor Pete Wilson today signed AB 157 (Antonio
Villariagrosa, D-Los Angeles), giving California mothers the legal right to
breastfeed their children in public.

"By signing this bill, I am removing barriers of embarrassment, harassment
and charges of indecent exposure when a mother breastfeeds her child in
public," Wilson said.  "Breastfeeding, whether in public or private, is a
normal, healthy way of nourishing infants."

While 74 percent of California women initiate breastfeeding upon their
child's birth, only 17 percent continue to exclusively breastfeed after nine
weeks, according to California Department of Health Services.  Additionally,
extensive health research shows that breastfeeding is the most healthful way
to feed infants, and that it leads to decreased infant morbidity and
mortality rates.

Breastfeeding is acknowledged as the preferred method of feeding infants by
the American Academy of Pediatrics, the American College of Obstetrics and
Gynecology, the American Health Association, the federal government and
others.

A mother's milk has also been proven to increase a child's immunity from
diseases, such as bacterial and viral infections and allergies.  It also
provides both short and long term health benefits for mothers, as it promotes
rapid recovery from childbirth, delays the return of ovulation and may reduce
the risk of breast and ovarian cancer.

Breastfeeding benefits society as a whole by promoting maternal and infant
bonding and decreasing health care costs fo infants.  This legislation is
needed, regrettably, to specifically clarify that breastfeding is not
something indecent, and in fact is in the best health interest of both mother
and child," Wilson said.

To further underscore the governor's prevention agenda, he has designated
August as "Breastfeeding Awareness Month," acknowledging that a mother's milk
provides children with optimum growth and development, protection against
specific infections and allergies, and positive long term effects on their
health and well being.  Attached is a copy of the Governor's Proclamation.
        - 30 -

(N.B. from Mary - proclamation not attached in this e-mail to Lactnet)

Mary Cummins, M.Ed., IBCLC
private practice LC, Scottsdale, AZ and mother of breastfed daughter who is
now grown up and working for the Governor's Chief of Staff

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