Breastfeeding 1-2-3

Include La Leche League in Your Holiday Giving

by Angela White, J.D., breastfeeding counselor on December 18th, 2007

Did you know that La Leche League International operates in 70 countries and territories and helps over 10 million people per year? Do you realize that encouraging and supporting breastfeeding actually saves babies’ lives?

“Research shows that exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months – with continued breastfeeding for the first year – could save 1.3 million lives every year,” says Miriam Labbok, UNICEF Senior Advisor on Infant and Young Child Feeding.

“This is well over 3,000 lives each and every day. And if breastfeeding is continued alongside appropriate complementary feeding until at least age two – we could be saving 5,500 additional lives each and every day of every year.”

La Leche League’s Mission Statement

La Leche League has a clear purpose, mission, and philosophy. Its mission statement says:

Our mission is to help mothers worldwide to breastfeed through mother-to-mother support, encouragement, information, and education, and to promote a better understanding of breastfeeding as an important element in the healthy development of the baby and mother.

Over 3,000 mothers per month are helped through a network of more than 7,000 accredited leaders who volunteer their time.

Think You Can’t Afford to Give?

Consider these facts compiled by LLL on the money savings created by breastfeeding:

Fewer doctor visits, prescriptions, and hospital stays, up to $1435 in the first year.

No need to spend money on formula and feeding supplies.

For one month, the least expensive formula costs $134, the most expensive formula costs $491 a month.

The least expensive formula costs $402 for 3 months and $804 for 6 months.

To buy the most expensive formula for their babies, parents spend $1475 for 3 months and $2950 for 6 months!

Knowing you are giving your baby the very best is priceless!

Keep in mind that your donation is tax-deductible to the extent the law allows for income tax purposes.

Ways to Give

~ Make a monetary gift
~ Donate with a feature in “Honor and Remember” in NEW BEGINNINGS magazine
~ Send an e-card
~ Shop through LLLI’s affinity programs

Need Assurance about Your Donation?

According to Independent Charities of America: “The Independent Charities Seal of Excellence is awarded to the members of Independent Charities of America and Local Independent Charities of America that have, upon rigorous independent review, been able to certify, document, and demonstrate on an annual basis that they meet the highest standards of public accountability, program effectiveness, and cost effectiveness. These standards include those required by the US Government for inclusion in the Combined Federal Campaign, probably the most exclusive fund drive in the world. Of the 1,000,000 charities operating in the United States today, it is estimated that fewer than 50,000, or 5 percent, meet or exceed these standards, and, of those, fewer than 2,000 have been awarded this Seal.” See ICA’s La Leche League page by searching for La Leche League here.

Other Worthwhile Charities

Several other worthwhile charities are featured as part of The Generous December Group Writing Project hosted by Babylune.

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POSTED IN: activism, breastfeeding