World Breastfeeding Week 2015 is August 1-7.  As someone who had breastfeeding successes (Things 2 and 3) and epic failure (Thing 1), I fully support a woman’s right to feed her baby–however that works for her. But why is breastfeeding awesome? Well, breast milk provides ideal nutrition for infants with all the protein, fat, vitamins, minerals, and antibodies a baby needs. Breast milk is easily digested. It’s linked to lower occurrences of asthma, ear infections, SIDS, diabetes, and obesity. Besides the obvious bonding that happens, breastfeeding also burns extra calories, releases the euphoric hormone oxytocin, and lowers the risk of breast and ovarian cancers for mothers.

When it works for mother and child, it’s awesome. When it doesn’t go so smoothly, there’s always formula…and there’s no shame in that.

Even though I am no longer nursing, I am interested in World Breastfeeding Week because of the focus on breastfeeding and the working mother. As a pumping mom, it shocks me how little protection and time new mothers have to express their milk at work. As a teacher, I had difficulty carving time out of a busy day to relax for 30 minutes for a productive pumping session. There were always meetings and conferences to attend, papers to grade, e-mails to compose, lessons to plan, and not enough hours in the day. Thankfully, the great Commonwealth of Virginia is doing more to protect those rights.  Our current state laws include:

• Va. Code § 2.2-1147.1 (2002, 2015) guarantees a woman the right to breastfeed her child on in any place where the mother is lawfully present, including any location where she would otherwise be allowed on property that is owned, leased or controlled by the state. The bill also stipulates that childbirth and related medical conditions specified in the Virginia Human Rights Act include activities of lactation, including breastfeeding and expression of milk by a mother for her child.
• Va. Code Ann. § 8.01-341.1 (2005) provides that a mother who is breastfeeding a child may be exempted from jury duty upon her request.
• Va. Code Ann. § 18.2-387 (1994) exempts mothers engaged in breastfeeding from indecent exposure laws.
• Va. House Joint Resolution 145 (2002) encourages employers to recognize the benefits of breastfeeding and to provide unpaid break time and appropriate space for employees to breastfeed or express milk.

The only two times I’ve been called for jury duty, I was breastfeeding. Guess who didn’t have to go to court? Score for the boob juice.

In honor of World Breastfeeding Week, I searched for coupon codes, freebies, and giveaways. If you know a soon-to-be mom, consider passing these gifts along, and I’ll update the list as I find more offers.

• Udder Covers: FREE nursing cover or $35 off site-wide with coupon code UCFREE.
• Breast Pads: 10 FREE pairs of reusable nursing pads with coupon code WBWBP15.
• Ask the Lactation Consultant: FREE Mother’s Milk tea sample and nursing cover pattern for you sew-crafty mommas.
• Comprehensive Guide to Herbs and Breastfeeding: FREE E-book.
• Euphoric Herbals: Spectra 2 Breast Pump Giveaway.
• Bamboobies: FREE washable nursing pad set with coupon code FREEBIES.
• World Breastfeeding Week Giveaway: Over $500 in prizes.
• Nesting Days: $20 off the Cool Grey & Black Newborn Baby Carrier (no coupon needed).
• Babies First Books: Five FREE books with coupon code WBWBF15
• Nursing Pillow: FREE nursing pillow with coupon code WBWNP15.

Finally, here’s a quick round up of my favorite breastfeeding products and resources:

• Latched Mama: Designed by a local RVA entrepreneur, here you’ll find stylish and functional clothing for nursing mothers. Get free shipping on orders $75+. Love the side-access styles.
• The Leaky Boob: Blog, reviews, honest advice.
• La Leche League International
• Ergobaby 360: I nursed Thing 3 in this many times, and it continues to be one of his favorite modes of transportation at 15-months old. Worth every penny.
• Motherlove Nipple Cream: For obvious reasons.
• And if you still want more, here’s my Pinterest board all about babies and boobies.