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Babies all over the country need breastmilk, especially when they are born premature or with other health complications. Not all mothers can produce milk, or produce the sufficient amount of milk for their infant, and this is where milk donors are invaluable. Though many people haven’t heard of human milk donation, mothers who donate their excess milk help support thousands of babies across the country ever year. In fact, there aren’t enough donors to meet all the needs of the infants in America, and the demand is rising. The national prematurity birth rate is 7.6%, and preemies are in most need of breastmilk in the earliest days of their life. Who Can Donate Breastmilk? Mothers with a surplus of milk can help meet this need. Women who are accepted as donors are healthy, most likely nursing their own babies, and have an abundant milk supply. Milk banks are located all over the country in many different states. Before you take action of donating milk, make sure that you’re up to date with the procedures for hygienic and safe collection, storage, and transportation. Requirements for donations to milk banks include (but may not be limited to): Donors must be in good health Donors’ own infant must be less than a year old (unless they experienced a loss) Donors will be screened through blood tests for: Human Immunodeficiency Human T-Lymphotropic Virus Hepatitis Viruses Syphilis Tuberculosis Donors must be willing to donate at least 100 ounces of milk Milk banks may not take donations from those taking certain medicines, using drugs, smoking, who have had a recent blood transfusion, regularly have more than 2 ounces of alcohol per day, etc. However, it’s always best to contact your local milk bank to learn about their specific requirements, as they are not the same globally. Who Receives the Donated Breastmilk? Your donated milk can travel across the entire country or help support babies in your local community. The majority of recipients go to preterm or sick babies that benefit the most from the optimal nutrition, easy digestibility, and infection-fighting capabilities of human milk. Preemies are often the main focus, as they require the milk more than anyone. In fact, depending on their weight, the ounces that they need go up. A baby weighing 2 pounds takes up to 5.5 ounces of milk A baby weighing 4.5 pounds takes up to 12 ounces of milk A baby weighing 6.5 pounds takes up to 18 ounces of milk Babies who are ill can also benefit greatly from the nutritional benefits from breastmilk, but human milk is optimal for all infants. If a milk bank has an abundance of milk, it might be released to otherwise healthy babies. To find more information about donating/receiving milk, and where your local milk bank is, check out this website.

World Breastfeeding Week is finally here, and we’ve rounded up some breastfeeding news from all over the world to celebrate! These articles highlight the importance of breastfeeding, whether it be company support, policy issues, or breastfeeding dresses, we have a lot to share with you! Target allows breastfeeding anywhere in store: Target wants all their customers to feel like they are welcome and at home – including those that choose to breastfeed. They are revamping their policies and stores specifically to make breastfeeding customers more comfortable. Guests who would like to breastfeed in the store are explicitly allowed to do so, which is a big step in normalizing breastfeeding in public. For women who prefer to breastfeed in private, Target plans to include nursing rooms in all locations as they remodel their stores nationwide. To read more, click here: Target Induced Lactation in Global News: A same-sex couple with twins went viral for sharing a photo of both of them breastfeeding their babies. Jaclyn and Kelly Pfeiffer both provide breastmilk for their babies, even though Kelly was the one who had carried the babies. How? Induced lactation. Induced lactation is when a woman is able to make breastmilk despite not being pregnant or giving birth. Woman can create breastmilk by the stimulation of a baby suckling on a breast or with hormone therapy to mimic pregnancy. Hopefully this viral photo will help bring attention to this new way to provide ideal nutrition to children, whether carried by their mother or adopted. To read more about the Pfeiffer family, click here: Induced Lactation Immigration Policy is a Breastfeeding Issue A doctor who recently visited a US Border Patrol detention facility claimed that breastfeeding mothers held there aren’t receiving nearly enough the amount of water they need, nor are babies getting enough food. Mothers who breastfeed should drink at least 3 liters of water a day, and the nursing mothers at this facility are only receiving 1.5 liters a day. This is putting the infants health at risk with not enough supplies for the mother to produce the best nutrition for their children. Read more about the conditions affecting breastfeeding in the facility here: Malnourished The Cost of Not Breastfeeding? $1 Billion Lost Every Day According to a recent analysis, low levels of breastfeeding costs the global economy nearly $1 billion each day. Based on six years of data collected in more than 100 countries, this calculation factors both healthcare costs and lost productivity worldwide. By publicizing this information, the child nutrition initiative Alive & Thrive hopes to help policymakers understand the impact of supporting breastfeeding—or not supporting it. In light of this data, the researchers hope that more nations will implement policies that protect the rights of nursing mothers in the workplace, limit baby formula marketing, and generally promote breastfeeding. To learn more about this new tool and its impact, read here: $1 Billion Local Moms Start Awareness Group Birmingham-based Chocolate Milk Mommies (CMM) is a group that helps spread awareness of breastfeeding in their community. They emphasize that breastfeeding is not dirty or shameful and that it is a mother’s choice. Despite the many known benefits of breastfeeding, African American Mothers have the lowest rate of breastfeeding initiation and duration. According to the CDC, the percentage of African American women who initiated breastfeeding was only 64.3 percent. Groups like CMM help promote breastfeeding in these communities. The CMM Facebook group has a growing total of 870 members and holds daily forums through which women can discuss the difficulties of mothering and the experiences of breastfeeding. To read more about CMM and the members, read here: CMM Coast Guard Moms Reimbursed for Shipping Breastmilk Exciting news for breastfeeding Coast Guard members was announced earlier this summer. Many enlisted Coast Guard members pump and send breastmilk home to their babies when they are underway or on official travel to ensure that their children receive the best nutrition possible. These women will now have the help of a program to pay for those shipping costs. The program, funded by Coast Guard Mutual Assistance, will pay up to 750$ a year per household for shipping, available to all active duty personnel, Pubic Health Services officers and Navy chaplains detailed to the Coast Guard, reserve members on active duty status, spouses on business travel and Coast Guard Civilian employees. To read more about groundbreaking changes for families in the Coast Guard, read here: Reimbursement Did we miss any essential stories? Drop your breastfeeding news in the comments below!

"The app approach to accessing books." Make Way for Books, a non-profit literacy organization in Tucson, Arizona, has launched their latest interactive literacy app, providing parents and children in their community with access to books and collaborative learning opportunities. We had the chance to speak with Fernando González, Digital Director, and Melinda Englert, Creative Director, about their work and the release of their new app. Here is what we learned about this fantastic resource! A Little About Make Way for Books When Dr. Mary Jan Bancroft created the non-profit in 1998, she began by providing books and literacy workshops to five under-resourced preschools in the Tucson area. Today 1 in 3 of the 0 to 5-year-olds in the community live in poverty, and Make Way for Books serves more than 30,000 children, families, and educators throughout southern Arizona annually. The organization focuses on children ages 0-5 because 90% of children's critical brain development occurs by age 5, and the connections they make during these early years sets the stage for learning for the rest of their lives. Make Way for Books provides a variety of programs and resources to ensure young children have quality early literacy and language experiences and environments in during these years. Their objective is three tiered: building a literacy-rich environment, supporting educators, and empowering families. They meet these objectives through a number of programs, such as: The Story Project, a strategy which provides services, programming and resources to children, parents, and teachers at under-resourced preschools, childcare centers, and home-based care settings. Family Education and Literacy, which provides programming for young children and families that do not have access to high-quality early education before kindergarten. Blue Book House Project, a volunteer-intensive program which takes book donations from the community and delivers them to bookshelves provided in social services agencies, clinics, and more. There’s also a new dimension to Make Way for Books’ programming: an app to extend literacy and language opportunities beyond programming. About the App The first version of the app was released in 2015 when Make Way for Books found that families in their programs wanted more access to the books and education they gained from Make Way for Books programming. Fernando said that they received a lot of positive feedback but they all knew the app could be so much more. Since then, they have launched version 2.0 of the app, which is focused on replicating the in-person experience that Make Way for Books gives to families. To do this, they tried to digitally insert into the app all of the elements that make the programming so impactful. The program’s “specialty” is creating original educational content and activities to accompany the books they recommend. The app gives families access to books in two ways: Read Now titles, which are readily available to read in the app, and Recommended titles. There is even a “Nearby” tab in the app that provides users with the information to the nearest library with access to the books that Make Way for Books recommends. They currently have 30 Read Now titles available and close to 300 Recommended titles with new Read Now and Recommended titles added monthly. The app also seeks to give parents access to tips, activities, and resources to make reading with their child an enjoyable, exciting, and educational experience. Everyday moments are learning moments. Use the activities in the app to turn daily routines into learning experiences that allow you to build your child’s brain” – The Make Way for Books app Most of the Read Now books, as well as many Recommended books are available in both English and Spanish. The app tailors books to the home language of the readers in the community. They also provide a wide range of other languages in their in-person programs. “Sharing books with your children in your home language is so important,” said Melinda, on having books available in multiple languages. Fernando added, “We tell parents that they should read to their children in the language they say ‘I love you.’” The app, available for phones and tablets on both the Apple App Store and Google Play, is completely free, just like all of the programs that Make Way for Books holds in their community. App Interactivity One of the goals of the app is to not just create interactivity between the app and users, but also between the users themselves. The scene that Fernando and his team envisioned when creating this latest version of the app was that of a child on their parents lap, reading the book together. Make Way for Books believes that parents are the best story tellers, so they prompt parents to talk to their children during story time about what they and their child think will happen next in the book. After finishing the book and putting away their phones, Make Way for Books wants parents to spend quality time with their children doing the activities presented in the app. The books on the app are separated by ages and the following categories: Imagination & Discovery Friends, Family, Community Animals ABC’s, Writing, and Art Daily Routines Music & Sounds Science & Math Emotions Touch & Feel Kindergarten Readiness Out and About Once you select a book to read, the app will take you to the book’s profile page where you can read the book and review the four other options: Discuss: Tips on how to expand the experience of reading the book Do: An activity you can do with your child Discover: Describes the educational elements of the book Description: A quick summary of the books plot Readers can swipe through the books page by page with the text rendered separately underneath the images. There are also in-story prompts to help parents who are reading the book with a child interact, in the form of a little question mark icon at the top left corner of the app. Once readers finish a book, the app gives words of encouragement, showing just how important building a parent’s confidence is to Make Way for Books. For more information on Make Way for Books, you can visit their website. For more information on the Make Way for Books app, click here.

World Breastfeeding Week (WBW) is an annual celebration held from August 1st to the 7th to reestablish a global breastfeeding culture, provide support for breastfeeding parents everywhere, and legally protect breastfeeding. WBW is organized by WABA (World Alliance for Breastfeeding Action), WHO (World Health Organization), and UNICEF. It is celebrated in over 150 countries. The main goal is to promote exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months of life, which has significant benefits in health, nutrients, and diseases. It also helps young children grow and promotes brain development. Because of the vital antibodies contained in breastmilk, it’s also considered to be the infant’s first “vaccine.” History of World Breastfeeding Week The 1990 Innocenti Declaration brought about movements supporting and sharing the benefits of breastfeeding. In many ways, this ushered in the beginnings of the WBW campaign. WBW started officially in 1992, with annual themes including healthcare systems, women and work, the International Code of Marketing Breastmilk Substitutes, community, ecology, economy, science, education, and human rights. WBW has gained support from countries and governments all over the world, and continues to unite largely diverse communities for a common cause, ultimately helping infants and boosting their quality of life. World Breastfeeding Week Objectives WBW was created for a purpose, and the foundational goals remain the same from year to year. The official objectives of the week are: Inform – to inform people about the benefits of breastmilk and links between gender-equitable parental social protection and breastfeeding. Anchor – to anchor breastfeeding benefits and protections in law, education, and policy. Engage – to engage with individuals and organizations to support breastfeeding in their community and around the world. Galvanize – to galvanize individuals to take action on gender-equitable parental social protection to advance breastfeeding. Theme of 2019: Empower Parents, Enable Breastfeeding 2019’s theme “Empower Parents, Enable Breastfeeding” was chosen to include all types of parents. Supporting both mothers and fathers is vital to help families realize their breastfeeding goals. The process of empowerment requires access to evidence-based, unbiased information and support to create an environment where mothers can breastfeed optimally. While breastfeeding itself is in a mother’s responsibility, fathers, partners, families, workplaces, and communities need to support mothers in order to improve breastfeeding. Breastfeeding is an overall team effort. Platypus Media is Taking Action Platypus Media is committed to the promotion and protection of breastfeeding. We donate six percent of our profits to breastfeeding organizations and abide by the rules of the WHO/UNICEF International Code of Marketing of Breastmilk Substitutes. Many organizations use Platypus Media products to run or give away at their WBW programming. We produce and distribute books for young children that foreground the importance of breastfeeding. Images of animals caring and nurturing for their own babies helps normalize breastfeeding for all mammals. We also provide pamphlets and educational materials that tackle breastfeeding, the difficulties that one can face while trying to breastfeed, and how beneficial it is for both mother and child. In honor of World Breastfeeding Week, we are offering a number discounts that will expire at the end of the week. Stock up now! Beautifully Illustrated Breastfeeding Books as low as $2.95! These award-winning picture books celebrate breastfeeding throughout the natural world. Both books model the warm, nurturing bond between parent and child - whether they are pandas, pigs, or people. Each retails for $9.95, but in observance of WBW we are happy to offer the following prices: 10-99 books: $6.95 each 100-499 books: $4.95 each 500-999 books: $3.95 each 1000+ books: $2.95 each Babies Nurse introduces the most natural and loving act - mothers nursing their young. Winner of a Parents’ Favorite Products Award, the book’s luminous illustrations and lyrical text give children a glimpse into the worlds of 13 different mammal babies. It is available in English, as well as a bilingual English/Spanish edition. Cuddled and Carried captures the curiosity of even the youngest readers as they see how animal mothers tend to their cubs, pups, calves, and chicks. Babies—whether in snowy dens, warm lagoons, cozy nests, or living rooms—are carried and cuddled, nurtured and nuzzled. It is available in English, as well as a bilingual English/Spanish edition. Fact-packed booklet for dads as low as $2.95! Purchase 1-99 copies for $2 each Purchase 100+ copies for $1.50 each Choosing to support breastfeeding is one of the most important decisions a father can make. Breastfeeding Facts for Fathers helps new dads understand the pivotal role they play in raising a healthy, thriving child. Available in English and Spanish editions. Essential pamphlets for only 10 cents! Get either of these handouts for only 10¢ each when you order a minimum of 100: Grow a Healthy Baby / Keep a Healthy Baby is a dual-sided instructional booklet that assists moms in taking the necessary measures to promote a healthy pregnancy and keep her newborn healthy. Written in a clear, concise, easy to read format, it is as engaging as it is accessible. This 12-page pamphlet is available in both English and Spanish. Breastfeeding: Coping With Crisis reassures new mothers and teaches them how to prepare for and deal with crises—without sacrificing care of their babies. This easy-to-read pamphlet explains that breastfeeding is important for both moms and babies, especially during hard times. The information in this pamphlet is crucial for all parents interested in protecting their families in an uncertain world. Available in both English and Spanish. Observe World Breastfeeding Week with Platypus Media titles and pamphlets! How will you celebrate?

* This post is a reprint of an article published by our Founder & President, Dia L. Michels We live in a world dominated by time. We must wake up at a certain time, be at work at the correct time, get to bed at a specific time, pay our bills each month at a particular time. We spend hours playing obscure games of Beat the Clock, where we win only by accomplishing multiple tasks in record time. Admittedly, this is because there is so little time. Most of us feel that time is the scarcest commodity in the world. I know I feel victorious if I manage to read the newspaper and floss my teeth in the same day. Before I was a mother, I always found myself muttering, “If only I had an extra 10 minutes a day…” I dreamed of all the additional things I could accomplish with just an extra few minutes each day. My grandma used to tell me the key to beautiful hair was to brush and brush, 10 full minutes each night. I used to send away for contraptions guaranteed to melt away fat in just 10 minutes a day. I purchased books and tapes that promised me a more powerful vocabulary in 10 minutes a day, and, desiring an international flair, I invested in programs that promised I would “speak in a foreign language like a diplomat” in just 10 minutes a day. I used to buy magazines with covers that shouted “Ten Tasty Meals You Can Make in Ten Minutes,” and I once bought one of those horrid lotions that guaranteed me a golden tan in 10 minutes. To tell you the truth, I never found a contraption that actually shed fat, and I couldn’t wait until that ghastly orange glow faded from my legs. I never learned a foreign language, and the only meal that takes me 10 minutes to prepare involves both a freezer and a microwave. Yet, I still consider myself both efficient and organized, able to effectively manage my time—at least I felt that way before I had children. Motherhood had changed the whole framework within which I view my time. For a mother, nothing takes 10 minutes. Changing a diaper should take 10 minutes—but when your other child slips and falls, the UPS man appears at the door with parcels for you and three of your closest neighbors, and the oven timer goes off in the singular moment between fastening Tab A and fastening Tab B, it’s easy to see how the time needed to accomplish the simplest of tasks gets extended. In my early days as a mother, I chastised myself for being so inefficient. After all, I thought, it used to take 10 minutes to get through the locker room after swimming, so it should take no more than 10 minutes to run into the store for a few odds and ends. But reality is another matter. With children, you can’t get everyone’s shoes, sweaters, and library books together in 10 minutes; and it certainly never takes 10 minutes to walk to the corner store. As I matured into motherhood, I learned to let go of my annoyance and frustration at getting so little done. I stopped measuring a good day by the number of tasks completed. I came to realize that the time-consciousness of the adult world is exactly the opposite of what makes life magical about a child’s world. Children don’t march to the beat of a different drum: they march to the tick of a different clock. Children are not task-oriented: they don’t become more effective individuals just because they have a deadline. Children couldn’t care less about how many items they cross off their “To Do” list before lunch. Children care about enjoying the moment, about being able to play and explore until they are tired of playing and exploring. They learn and discover things by being able to do so when they are ready, not based on some external schedule. Children live in a world where they set the pace, a world that is timeless, a world that runs on Kid Standard Time. Only adults live in a world where things are defined and controlled externally, a world that runs on Adult Standard Time. What I’ve come to understand is that a sane parent is someone who is able to go between a world defined by time and a world defined by timelessness, who can find periods when time simply doesn’t matter, who can let go of the need for external schedules. Being able to shift regularly from the adult world to the child’s world is being able to let the magic of the child’s world surface. It means allowing an extra 45 minutes to run an errand so the kids can examine and explore the store. It means skipping the bath one night if a child’s activity is taking longer than expected. It means being willing to have your need for structure take a back seat to your child’s desire to pursue an activity. I sometimes think longingly of all those things I could be doing if only I had an extra 10 minutes a day. But then I remember, I bought a fat-busting belt, and strapping it on for even a full hour a day still didn’t affect my figure. I listened to the foreign language tapes for well over 10 minutes a day, and I still can’t speak French. And even if I could get a rich, deep tan in only 10 minutes, it wouldn’t be good for me anyway. Undoubtedly, there are tremendous things I could accomplish if I had more time in my day, but the bottom line is that I already have tremendous things in my life: my children. My new goal is not to have more 10-minute periods in my day, but to relish the timelessness of my kids’ world, knowing all the while that the clock on the wall is tick, tick, ticking away.

Although we should celebrate our parents and our spouses everyday, this weekend is an excuse to give the men in our life more appreciation than normal: Father’s Day! The History Behind Father's Day Sonora Dodd founded Father’s Day in Spokane, Washington in 1910. Dodd was the daughter of a civil war veteran, who had raised Sonora and her five siblings by himself. After hearing the Mother’s Day sermon at church, Sonora told her pastor that fathers should have a similar day to celebrate their own role in their children’s lives. At first, it wasn’t as successful as Dodd hoped it to be, as it faded into obscurity even in Spokane soon after it was founded. In 1916, President Woodrow Wilson went to Spokane to give a speech for Father’s Day, but was met with Congressional resistance. The holiday wasn’t taken seriously by Americans because they believed that it was an attempt by industries to recreate the successful commercialization of Mother’s Day. It quickly became a joke. In 1924, President Calvin Coolidge pushed for the day to be observed by the nation, but he was not able to issue a national proclamation. Finally, in 1966, President Lyndon B. Johnson issued that proclamation, declaring that the third Sunday of June would be Father’s Day. It was made a permanent holiday by President Richard Nixon in 1972. The Importance of the Relationship Between Father and Child Paternal bonds play important part in a childhood, along with beneficial marital bonds. When fathers play a significant role in a young child’s life, they become emotionally involved with their children. Fathers become a figure in a child’s life who they can get support from, and in turn, fathers gain more confidence as a parent. Fathers feed, hold, love, and provide for the child in different ways than a mother can. By creating a connection with an infant right away, attachment between a baby and its father will come naturally. However, it’s harder to create a bond between father and child than it is to create a maternal bond. This is largely because mothers take on most of the feeding responsibility, which gives the dad time together to look at and cuddle with one another. (Luckily, fathers have an important role to play in breastfeeding as well!) There are a few ways that fathers can compensate for this and build a strong bond with their child: Scientists suggest fathers hold their baby as much as possible and ensure skin-to-skin contact. Reading a book out loud can help the baby recognize the rhythm of a voice, matching a father’s voice to the presence of an important person in the child’s life. Feeding the infant can also develop the connection between father and child, as it allows the baby to develop a dependence on someone other than the mother for their food. Babies depend on consistency and predictability in routines, and allowing fathers to be part of that routine allows for more time to create that important bond. The Importance of the Relationship Between Father and Mother Marital bonds play another important roll in the dynamic of the family, the partnership, and the connection between parents and their child. Parenting is a team effort, something that is never easy. Fathers that split the care-taking with their partners see benefits on all sides of the family relationship. Both parents pitching in means the other can catch that break they need to get a few hours of extra sleep or relaxation. Being able to depend on the father of their child is an opportunity to deepen trust in the relationship, forming stronger connections that allow for another level of intimacy. Having a child affects relationships in more ways than one, and modelling a solid partnership for your baby or child will teach them how to interact healthily with others. Children have their first interactions with their parents, forming their very first relationships, but they also observe their mother and father’s interaction with one another. Fathers have a unique opportunity to set an example of healthy relationships for their children. Thank You, Dad This is a thank you to all dads: the dads that cook dinner, that play soccer in backyards, that drive their kids to school, that read bedtime stories, that plan date nights for Moms, that work a 9-5, that stay at home, that laugh hard, and everything in between. Even more importantly, this is a big thank you! to all the single dads, the ones that are two-in-one caregivers. Being a dad is kind of a big deal. Take this day to appreciate all dads out there, even if they aren’t technically your own.

Read-Aloud Volunteer Program is a non-profit organization that fosters a love of learning in children through reading and story telling. We are very excited to tell you more about them, and, more importantly, how you can support their crucial work. About Read-Aloud Volunteer Program Read-Aloud Volunteer Program was started in 1995 by Dr. Marilyn Nye, and has since grown to work with five schools and manage approximately 105 volunteers. These volunteers are recruited to read one-on-one with children in Richmond and San Pablo (California) elementary schools. The non-profit works on two levels: First, to provide personalized reading experiences for children to improve their reading, comprehension, and social bonding skills. Volunteers instill in students the understanding that their interests are valued and supported, and work to build their self-esteem as the kids learn to view themselves as competent, capable, and full of wonderful ideas. Second, to supply a home library of books for each of the students enrolled in the program. Through donations from individuals, foundations, community service groups, corporate grants, and contracts, they work with the students to build their personal library. They ensure that these libraries are filled with quality books to create generations of 'readers' rather than simply 'kids who read'. How the Program Works Read-Aloud Volunteer Program is different than a tutoring program, because their primary focus is to create a love of reading by making reading fun! "Kids really want to come to the program, unlike with tutoring." ~ Crystal Merrill, Executive Director, Read-Aloud Volunteer Program Teachers nominate students who are the most a risk with both reading and emotional skills—however, many kids ask to become part of the program voluntarily because they hear from participants about how much fun they have. Students get one-on-one reading time with their volunteer during a designated time selected by the teacher. Most of the time the program is held in the school's library, usually between recess and lunch, but occasionally during a set-aside reading time. Once a volunteer is paired with a child, they stay paired for the entire time that child participates in the program. A student's reading plan and progress is tracked through a binder that contains 4-5 books that are personally selected for each child's needs. More books are added in the event the student goes through all the pre-selected books. Every other week, students get to take a book home, so at the end of the year they have a home library of 14-17 books. Some students participate in the program for all three years, so their home library can grow to be as large as 50 books! Building Strong Bonds Research over the last decade has led to a new understanding of the challenges involved in learning to read, along with evidence-based results that prove children learn through their relationships with adults. It is no surprise, then, that the volunteers are at the heart of the Read-Aloud Volunteer Program’s mission. They are dedicated and caring individuals who help build self-esteem in young readers through the bonds they form and the skills they teach. Over time, each child’s story is shared with volunteers who, in turn, provide a supportive ear and voice for the child. These bonds are also used to determine which books the children would be most interested in. These relationships support the resiliency of each child all while creating a joy of reading and learning. How You Can Help If you are interested in becoming a volunteer, you can apply directly online. There are specific volunteer requirements, and you can learn more about them here. During the school year, applications are accepted until February. During the summer, Read-Aloud serves four Richmond Community Centers through Camp Achieve. To receive more information and/or apply to be a summer volunteer you can do so online. Read-Aloud Volunteer Program is a registered 501(c)3 nonprofit organization, and all donations are fully tax deductible. Donations to the Read-Aloud Volunteer Program are gratefully accepted, and you can donate directly on their website. You can also donate through Amazon smile by choosing Read-Aloud Volunteer Program Foundation as the charity associated with your Amazon Smile account. About Crystal Merrill Crystal Merrill is the Executive Director of Read-Aloud Volunteer program. She started with Read-Aloud as a volunteer in 2011. She was an office manager and program coordinator before becoming their Executive Director. She joined Read-Aloud after receiving her PhD in Materials [Science], when she decided to give back in a meaningful way that would impact the lives of children. "[I have] rediscovered how fun kids are. When you connect with kids year after year it becomes very rewarding." ~ Crystal Merrill, Executive Director, Read-Aloud Volunteer Program

*This post is authored by President and Founder Dia L. Michels Getting Real About Pregnancy Celebrities make pregnancy looks glamorous, but many expectant moms feel like anything but a star. “My Pregnancy has been easier than I ever dreamed it would be,” boasted a very round, very happy Vanna White in the National Enquirer. Demi Moore appeared equally poised and collected when she exposed her beautiful, resplendent, and nude body on the cover of Vanity Fair—in her third trimester. The beaming Vanna and Demi are hardly the first celebrities to display their expanding waistlines to the public, but they exemplify what I call the media-perfect pregnancy—the current attitude that gestation is synonymous with health and vitality. The 19th-century notion of nine months of weakness and incapacity no longer seems to apply. Nowadays, carrying a child is considered a thoroughly joyous time when women look radiant, feel terrific, and need not slow down for a minute. When Your Pregnancy is Difficult The problem is that for many of us, pregnancy is a time of fragility. And for those of us who suffer from infirmities, the myth of a tranquil, untroubled gestation makes for a harsher reality. I, for one, can assure you that pregnancy isn’t always a blissful passage filled only with excited anticipation of the birth. I’m one of the approximately 5 percent of women for whom pregnancy is a test of survival, for whom morning sickness is not a nuisance but a debilitating disease. During each of my pregnancies, the rooms began spinning well before any test could verify my condition. And each week brought a worsening odyssey of misery. Some days, all I could do was cry. Other days, too weak even to move, I’d never get out of bed. I was reduced to an overcooked vegetable, a limp turnip. I couldn’t work or keep up with the basic household chores. Worst of all, during my second pregnancy, I couldn’t even take care of my young daughter. I tried every imaginable therapy, but the only antidote that really worked was time—hanging on until the sixth month, when the nausea finally subsided. And if the illness itself weren’t enough to endure, listening to other people’s medical theories put this unpleasant experience over the top. Half of these self-professed authorities were certain that my morning sickness meant that I was carrying a boy, while the other half, of course, were confident it was a girl. One person informed me that the sicker the mom, the hairier the baby. And I’ll never forget the man who explained that this was one of God’s ways of helping women shed those stubborn extra pounds. The '5 Percent' Rule of Pregnancy While pondering my situation during one of my moments of lucidity, I came up with the “5 percent rule of pregnancy.” That is, as far as I could tell, the odds of having a perfect pregnancy are probably around 5 percent, and the odds of experiencing something unusual are more like 95 percent. Recalling conversations with friends, I realized that everyone I knew fit into at least one obscure pregnancy-related category. Elizabeth was one of the few women who are put on full bed rest for the last two months. Rachel was unusual because her baby refused to drop into the birth canal. For Maggie, the pregnancy apparently caused her thyroid to malfunction. Is the fact that all these friends of mine had gestational problems a mere coincidence? Sure, there are women who conceive easily, glide through the entire nine months, deliver without much fuss, and take home healthy, happy, contented babies. But I don’t know anyone like that. It seems to me that the assurances medical professionals gave me—that I was in a rare category—are the same guarantees they give everybody about their unusual circumstances. Difficult Pregnancy? You Are Not Alone. If I’m right—and my 5 percent rule is closer to the truth—why not say so? If women knew, really understood, right from the start, how difficult childbearing can be, would we suddenly witness a slowdown in population growth? I think not. No, something much more profound would happen if we weren’t led to believe that pregnancy brings a woman to the pinnacle of well-being: We’d simply feel better about ourselves. You see, the real tragedy of difficult pregnancies is that those of us who experience them often end up feeling like outcasts and medical freaks, like rare specimens whose survival, in a more Darwinian age, would be unlikely. Women who feel vibrant, vital, and fulfilled during their pregnancies are lucky, but I do not believe they’re the majority. So let’s break the myth of the media-perfect pregnancy. There is no reason for so many women to believe that their pain is unique and that they’re struggling alone.

While it's important to appreciate mothers every day of the year, it's especially important to take time to express our gratitude on Mother's Day! We are so grateful to all the mothers who love and nurture their children, and the profound impact they have on our lives. The History of Mother's Day Mother’s Day is a holiday honoring motherhood that is observed in different forms throughout the world. The American incarnation of Mother’s Day was created by Anna Jarvis in 1908 and became an official U.S. holiday in 1914. Her mother had frequently expressed a desire for the establishment of such a holiday, and after her mother's death, Jarvis led the movement for the commemoration. Celebrations of mothers and motherhood can be traced back to the ancient Greeks and Romans, who held festivals in honor of the mother goddesses Rhea and Cybele, but the clearest modern precedent for Mother’s Day is the early Christian festival known as “Mothering Sunday.” Mother's Day Around the World Versions of Mother’s Day are celebrated worldwide, and traditions vary depending on the country. In Thailand, for example, Mother’s Day is always celebrated in August on the birthday of the current queen. Another example of the observance of Mother’s Day can be found in Ethiopia, where families gather each fall to sing songs and eat a large feast in a multi-day celebration honoring motherhood. In the United States, Mother’s Day is typically celebrated by presenting mothers with gifts, flowers, and other tokens of appreciation. The Bond Between a Mother and Child Mothers are amazing in so many ways - too many to mention them all - but the bond between a mother and her children is undeniably special. This bond is instinctual, and forms the basis for all the ways mothers nurture and protect their young. It even begins before birth. Fetuses respond to the sound of their mother's voice even while still in the womb! Bonding happens in many ways. Touching, feeding, and holding a baby are all forms of bonding. Breastfeeding is one of the most powerful ways a mother and baby bond. Have you noticed that even when very young, when a mother gazes into her baby's eyes the baby gazes right back? This is the baby deepening the bond with the mother. A baby's cries will even stimulate a let-down of a mother's milk. Some mothers worry they aren't bonding immediately with their baby, and that is normal. Remember that the bonding process sometimes takes time. As a mother cares for the baby, they will find the attachment grows; it is all part of a natural process. There are ways to increase a mother's (and father's!) bond with the baby, including: Spend as much time as possible with the baby by wearing a sling or carrier, rock the baby on your lap, and/or sing a song. A mother's voice and touch are very comforting to a baby. Give your baby a gentle (and safe!) massage. Research has found that massage can not only improve the relationship between parent and baby, but it also can relieve stress in premature infants and eases maternal postpartum depression. To learn how to massage your baby safely, consult a pediatrician or take a class at a local hospital. Skin-to-skin contact is also very important for both the mother and the baby. This practice, called 'kangaroo care', is often used in premature babies, but studies find that it's also calming to babies born full-term. It not only helps with bonding, but it also can improve your baby's ability to breastfeed. For newborns that are born in a hospital, ask to room-in with the baby. Sleeping in the same room will give you more time to get to know one another. If the baby is premature and in the NICU, ask the hospital staff to touch and hold him when it is safe to do so. Just talking to your baby can help the two of you bond. Breastfeeding and Bonding Think about how confusing and scary it must be for a newborn to enter the world full of bright lights, loud noises, and new smells! A baby needs reassurance from both parents to adjust to their new environment, but breastfeeding is particularly important for a newborn's sense of security and comfort. By holding your baby while breastfeeding and giving nourishment from your body, a baby gets a sense of continuity from pre-to-post birth life. Babies often spend most of the time breastfeeding gazing into a mother's eyes, and this fosters a profound sense of love and protection. In addition, breastfeeding releases hormones in a mother's body that promote mothering behaviors. This emotional bond is as vital as the nutritional benefits a baby receives. Scientists now know that infants learn best in a context of emotional closeness. Breastfeeding promotes a growing attachment between mother and child that will continue to play an important role in a baby’s development for years to come. What are some of your favorite ways to celebrate Mother's Day? Let us know in the comments!

Emergencies happen for a lot of different reasons, unfortunately, and while it can be scary to talk about, it's important to be prepared. Emergencies can range from a family crisis or health emergency, to more public crises like a natural disaster. When breastfeeding an infant, there are steps to take to be as prepared as possible. Infants and Children are Most Vulnerable in an Emergency Situation Certain populations are more vulnerable than others during a crisis situation, but research has proven that infants and children are the most at-risk. Breastfeeding during emergency situations actually saves lives. Some of the more common problems infants and children face during an emergency are due to environmental factors, including contaminated water and being exposed to pathogens and germs from unsanitary living conditions. Nearly 95% of infant and child deaths in emergencies result from diarrhea due to contaminated water and an unsanitary environment. Formula-fed children can be more at-risk in these conditions, as formula requires sanitized water which is not always available in an emergency. Lack of electricity can also make it difficult to properly sanitize, store, and preserve formula, bottles, and nipples, putting children at risk for infection and disease. Additionally, formula can be very difficult to get during a disaster. Why Breastfeeding is Ideal During an Emergency Human milk contains antibodies that fight infection, including diarrhea and respiratory infections, which are common among infants in emergency situations. Breastmilk is always sanitary, no matter what the circumstances, and it requires no electricity or fuel even when the situation is very dire. In addition to the physical benefits of breast milk, breastfeeding releases hormones that reduce anxiety and stress in babies (and mothers too)! The physical contact between the infant and the mother also serves to keep babies protected from harsh environmental conditions. Many groups pass out food and other supplies to families in need, and this may include formula. If you receive a supply of formula in an emergency situation, there is no reason to give it to your breastfed baby. Instead, you can drink it yourself, give it to your older children, or pass it along to a formula-feeding mother. Continuing to breastfeed your baby in an emergency situation is the healthiest and safest for the baby. If it becomes necessary, older children and adults can also be nourished with breast milk. How to Be Prepared for an Emergency with Infants and Children Parents and caregivers of infants can take several steps to help keep their families safe and healthy in the event of a disaster, including: Prepare an emergency kit that includes a 3-day supply of food and water, health supplies (including medications), baby care and safety supplies, electronics, and important documents, such as emergency telephone numbers. If your baby is old enough for solid foods (six months or older), be sure to have foods available that your baby will eat. Canned foods, especially meat, beans, and vegetables, are important and contain nutrients that are vital to growing babies. If staying at a shelter or in temporary housing, tell the staff as soon as possible that you have a newborn. Help your infant sleep safely by bringing a firm, flat surface that your baby can sleep on, as soft bedding, sleeping bags, and blankets can pose a hazard to infants. Take care of the mother's health as much as possible. It's important for breastfeeding mothers to stay hydrated and get proper nutrition, so be sure to seek help for the mother as well as for the infant. Mothers CAN Keep Breastfeeding in an Emergency Mothers continue to lactate in times of physical and emotional stress, but they will need support! Malnourished women and women with medical illnesses can breastfeed as well. Optimal human milk supply is maintained by infant demand, so it's important to keep to your regular feeding schedule as much as possible. When your baby breastfeeds, your breasts make more milk than they do between feedings, so the more you breastfeed, the more milk you produce. In an emergency situation, you may find that your baby wants to breastfeed almost constantly. You will have plenty of milk if you breastfeed often; don’t limit baby’s time at the breast, but do limit pacifier use. For some mothers and infants, a mother who has weaned (or is in the process of weaning) can redevelop her milk supply. With enough nipple stimulation and milk removal, it is possible for women to re-lactate, that is, to redevelop a milk supply. The stimulation can be provided by a willing baby or even older child, by hand expression and stimulation, and/or pumping. The process may take several days, or even a couple of weeks. Mothers need much encouragement, a reasonable supply of food and water, and protection from stress to whatever extent possible. In an emergency situation, a breastfeeding mom may find herself with a young infant who is completely dependent on her. Talking with those around you can be a great source of comfort and information. Other families, community leaders, and healthcare professionals are usually available to give you support, skills and knowledge as well, so it's important to ask for help. Breastfeeding: Coping with Crisis In the middle of a crisis, it can be difficult to think of everything you may need, so this helpful pamphlet helps parents be as prepared as possible! Breastfeeding: Coping with Crisis provides tips and ideas for ways families can be prepared (also available in Spanish). For hospitals, healthcare clinics, or other professionals we offer this pamphlet at only 10 cents/copy if you order 100 or more! Breastfeeding: Coping with Crisis is a must-read for clients of: OB/GYNs, pediatricians, and family doctors Midwives Lactation Consultants WIC Counselors Social Workers Emergency Professionals Breastfeeding: Coping With Crisis reassures new mothers and teaches them how to prepare for and deal with crises—without sacrificing care of their babies. This attractive, full-color, easy-to-read pamphlet explains that breastfeeding is important for both moms and babies, especially during hard times. Moms learn that breastfeeding provides tremendous physical and psychological benefits. The information in this pamphlet is crucial for all parents interested in protecting their families in an uncertain world. The American Red Cross also has several helpful resources, including how to find the closest open shelter. Be sure to notify the appropriate people at any shelter that you have a breastfeeding infant and ask for any available resources.

When it comes to taking care of Mother Nature, breastfeeding can't be beat. Breastmilk may look white, but actually, it is as "green" as can be. It is one of the few foodstuffs produced and delivered to the consumer without any pollution, unnecessary packaging or waste. In fact, breastmilk has been called the most environmentally-friendly food available. It produces zero waste, zero greenhouse gases and has a zero water footprint. Breastfeeding Reduces Your Carbon Footprint Most of the focus on the environmental effect of newborns is concentrated on the debate between cloth vs. disposable diapers, but the environmental consequences of formula feeding have far greater impact. Substituting cow’s milk (or soy or other ‘milks’) for human breastmilk is costly, causes waste and uses valuable resources. The production, shipping, and preparation of infant formula consumes large amounts of water, fuel, paper, glass, plastic, and rubber -- and produces significant amounts of garbage. How Breastfeeding is Good for the Environment Breastfeeding is good for the environment in several ways. Here are some examples: Reduction in Toxic Chemicals: Substituting cow's milk (the primary ingredient in infant formula) for breastmilk destroys the water, land and air. Raising cattle and growing soy (for cattle feed or soy milk) requires large amounts of fertilizers and irrigation. Sewage and fertilizers pollute rivers and groundwater. Additionally, pesticides and antibiotics used in the farming contaminant the soil and water. Waste Reduction: Producing the packaging of infant formula creates toxins and uses paper, plastic, and tin. For every 3 million bottle-fed babies, 450 million tins of formula are consumed. The 550 million cans of infant formula sold each year to feed U.S. babies alone use 86,000 tons of tin and 1,230 tons of paper (for labels). Even More Waste Reduction: Artificial feeding requires more diapers and menstrual products. Breastmilk is absorbed very efficiently by babies, so breastfed babies excrete less and require fewer diaper changes. Breastfeeding moms typically experience a 14 months delay before menstruating after birth. Producing diapers, menstrual pads, and tampons requires fibers, bleaches, packaging materials, and fuels and produces a large amount of landfill. Reduction in Pollution: Producing artificial baby milk contributes to air pollution. Methane gas is second behind carbon dioxide in contributing to the greenhouse effect and global warming; cow flatulence and excretion account for 20 percent, or 100 million tons, of the total annual global methane emissions. Conserve Energy: Processing artificial baby milk consumes a huge amount of energy. Cows must be milked and the milk must be skimmed, processed, pasteurized, homogenized, dried, and packaged. Manufacturing the bottles and nipples uses large amounts of energy in addition to plastic, rubber, silicon, glass, packaging, and paper. Population Reduction: Breastfeeding reduces the birth rate. In fact, worldwide, breastfeeding is a more effective method of birth control than all other methods available to Third World women. And breastmilk produces healthier babies who are more likely to survive. When parents expect their children to live into adulthood, they choose to have fewer children. We need to value our natural resources, whether they grow in a forest, swim in the sea, or come from our bodies. Protecting and promoting breastfeeding is an important way to honor and cherish the most incredible mother of all -- Mother Nature.

The first few months after birth can be both exciting and overwhelming. Mothers need all the support they can get, and breastfeeding is something that both parents can do as a team! A father's knowledge, enthusiasm, and support can be crucial as their partner breastfeeds. One of the most important things fathers can do is learn about the benefits of breastfeeding and how breastfeeding works to show your support for your partner. The Benefits of Breastfeeding Breastfeeding has advantages that last throughout childhood and for the rest of your baby’s life. Many people don’t know that breastfed babies are healthier for their whole lives. That’s not the case for formula-fed babies, who don’t get all the vitamins, nutrients, or disease-fighting cells that they would get from breastmilk. As a result, formula-fed babies frequently get sick and need to see the doctor more often than breastfed babies. Some other differences between breastfed and formula-fed babies are: • When breastfed babies grow up, they often have lower levels of stress, anxiety, and depression than formula-fed babies. • Formula-fed babies have higher rates of asthma and allergies. • Formula-fed babies have higher rates of some cancers, diabetes, and bone diseases. • Breastfed babies score higher on IQ tests taken in childhood and adolescence. Breastmilk is a gift that lasts a lifetime! Ways Fathers Can Support a Breastfeeding Mother New mothers, especially first-time mothers, need a lot of support. It's normal for new moms to feel anxious about breastfeeding, and the long hours can make them tired and overwhelmed at times. There are several ways fathers can support mothers during this exciting and challenging time, including: Help her stay comfortable. Offer to bring her a glass of water, give her another pillow if she needs one, or remove distractions like older siblings, visitors, or the family pet. Bring your baby to your partner in bed for night feeds and help with settling the baby back to sleep if you need to. This will be a big help to your partner, even if you only do it for some night feeds, or on some nights. Offer to help out with other things, to give her time to rest and increase your bonding experience with the baby. Giving baths, changing diapers, play time with baby, and taking the baby for outings are great ways to bond with your baby while your partner gets some much-needed sleep! Settle a fussy baby. This is sometimes easier for fathers than for mothers, because the smell of the mother's milk can make the baby search for her breasts instead of calming down. Bottle feed the baby expressed breast milk on occasion. This might be something you do after 1-2 months, when your partner is feeling confident and comfortable with breastfeeding. Learn More About Breastfeeding While the experience of breastfeeding is a natural, beautiful process there are some common problems breastfeeding mothers can experience. Learning more about these problems helps fathers feel informed and helpful! Here are some more common problems mothers experience and what to look for: Milk Supply: The best way to know whether your baby is getting enough milk is to look at a baby's diapers and body language after feeds. Your baby is getting enough milk if there are at least 6-8 wet cloth nappies or 5 very wet disposables in 24 hours, defecates every day if he’s younger than 6-8 weeks old (an older baby is likely to do fewer poos), and if you baby is alert and mostly happy after and between feeds. Too Much Milk: A mother may be producing too much milk if the baby can't swallow fast enough to keep up, has a lot of wet diapers, gagging and gulping (especially at the start of feeding), or green poops after feeding. The mother's breasts may also feel lumpy and tight after breastfeeding. Breast Refusal: This is an easy one to spot, and it occurs when the baby is likely hungry but will not breastfeed. This is usually a passing phase, but some of the most common causes are that the baby has a cold with a stuffy nose, is overstimulated, tired, or distracted, different tasting milk (usually from medications, hormonal changes, or the mother ate a spicy or unusual food. Sore Nipples: The most common cause of sore nipples is that the baby isn't attaching properly. A family health nurse, midwife, breastfeeding counselor or lactation consultant are helpful resources in this situation. Mastitis: If the mother has inflamed, sore, swollen or red breasts, or if she has the chills or feels like they have the flu, she might have mastitis. If you suspect mastitis, it's important to seek help from a doctor, who will usually prescribe medication to help with the infection. Blocked Milk Ducts: If a the mother has a sore lump in her breast but otherwise feels well, she probably have a blocked milk duct. A warm compress to help soften the lump is helpful in this case – try a warmed (not hot) heat pack, wrapped in a soft cloth and held to her breast for a few minutes. Breastfeeding Facts for Fathers We offer a helpful informational booklet specifically written for fathers! Breastfeeding Facts for Fathers is a fact-packed, fun-filled booklet for new dads answers questions about breastfeeding and becoming a parent. Breastfeeding Facts for Fathers helps new dads understand the pivotal role they play in raising a healthy, thriving child. As we prepare for World Breastfeeding Week in August, we are offering a variety of discounts! Get Breastfeeding Facts for Fathers for only $2 each on orders of 1-99 copies, and $1.50 each on orders of 100 or more. To take advantage of this offer, learn more, or see a sample copy, email Martha at Martha@PlatypusMedia.com .