People assume that because I am a breastfeeding advocate, that I instinctively align with all natural and holistic approaches. Calling them holistic “approaches” is being far too kind. Quite frankly, I view them as fads…fads or even worse- myths- that grow in popularity and perpetuation, and soon become the norm. So NO, I do not believe, nor promote or endorse, most of the holistic rituals or popular myths I hear of so often. And because I work in the Maternal and Child Health field, I am specifically speaking to child birth and lactation fads…
By SweetTeat.com
Breastfeeding and Taxes
Something rather refreshing occurred while my husband and I were filing our taxes (right before the deadline, no less!) We found a new accountant, finally making right on our promise to STOP using the hacks at H&R Block to handle our finances.
The taxman and I were going through all of our piles of different deductions, including the sums I had accrued towards my business and schooling. Towards the end of our appointment, the tax man asks, so what kind of business are you in? Assuming he would know very little about lactation consulting and breastfeeding, I quickly responded, “I help women with breastfeeding.”
Jena’s 2 Cents…
Think about it, roughly all 5000+ mammals on this planet produce milk specifically designed for their infants. Breastfeeding and nursing is a primal force of nature that ensures the strength and survival in all of the animal kingdom. So why has breastfeeding become the exception and not the rule for mankind? If breastfeeding is the centerpiece for all maternal and child health programs on the planet, why are most families no longer breastfeeding?
Do we as mammals breastfeed our young exclusively until appropriate solids can be introduced as recommended by the American Academy of Pediatrics, the World Health Organization, and UNICEF? Sadly, the vast majority do not. So, why the disconnect?