Dear all,

I am very concerned about an article published today in the J of Human Lactation entitled ‘Safe Handling of Containers of Expressed Human Milk in all Settings During the SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19)’. The authors state without evidence, that bottles of donor milk may transmit COVID-19 coronavirus, and that these bottles need to be cleansed with an antiviral substance before storing in the NICU freezer. The Human Milk Banking Association of North America follows the FDA guidelines on safe food handling. These guidelines and protocols basically prevent bottles of donor milk from transmitting SARS-CoV-2 virus, just like other various pathogens such as E Coli, Staph aureus, salmonella, hepatitis, norovirus and influenza, all of which can also remain on surfaces for long periods of time.  The authors also claim that every mother on earth should wear a mask when pumping whether they are having any viral symptoms or not. Yes, that means kiss and hug the baby, then put a mask on to pump. Further they claim that every bottle of breastmilk that is handed to someone else to feed the infant should be washed with antiviral substances (mind you, not the toys, formula bottles, diapers, pacifiers, or the floor the baby crawls on). I am so disappointed in these authors and the Journal editor for not taking down this opinion article despite protests from many professionals such as myself. I have only read such unsubstantiated articles about breastfeeding in publications/websites that are anti-breastfeeding, so needless to say, I am shocked.

I have been thinking a lot about the families I am not talking to! My position in Winnebago County recently changed and I am doing a lot less direct care. Once person I spoke to called her doctor’s office and all circuits were busy. Where are mothers accessing reliable, appropriate information?

I would really like us to talk about this. How can we get mothers in touch with us when our normal communication methods are inundated with other inquiries?

Please take social distancing seriously. I work for Public Health and all hands are on deck! We are all in a position to be able to protect vulnerable populations by staying away from large groups, limiting travel and washing our hands well on a regular basis.

Please take care of yourselves.

Love,

Allison

Please share with families with children ages 0-5 in Calumet, Outagamie & Winnebago Counties. Thanks!

January 16, 2020

First Five Fox Valley is a re-imagined Fox Valley Early Childhood Coalition. We are the organizing entity for the early years, working to boost strategic partnerships among the early childhood community, the social service sector, public and private health, schools, philanthropy and business across three counties: Calumet, Outagamie, and Winnebago.

First Five Fox Valley, in collaboration with our academic partner University of Wisconsin – Oshkosh, developed a parent survey to gather information from young families with children ages 0-5 in our community.

Our goal is hear about the resources parents currently use and solicit ideas for ways our early care, education, health and social service projects and programs might better meet parents’ needs.

We believe the best way to improve family and child well-being in our community is to start by asking families about their well-being! Survey data will inform all aspects of our parent engagement strategies.

Dr. Kristine Nicolini, assistant professor in public relations, along with students in her public relations course will also use data from the survey to create a marketing campaign for First Five Fox Valley. We have a Facebook page in the early stage of development and a website under construction.

Please champion the first five years with us by sharing the survey link with the families you work with. Include our survey link in your newsletter, social media posts or listserv.

Our bold goal is 200+ completed surveys by Friday, January 31st!

Please direct questions and comments to Marchelle Moten at marchellem@fvearlychildhood.org, 920-422-5437.

Thank you for all you do for young children and families in our communities!

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Note to Parents:
Hello! We are reaching out to you because we need your valuable insights on parenting resources in the Fox Valley. Please take a few moments to complete this survey. Your responses will be kept confidential and will not be linked to you.
We will use the information gathered to continue to enhance parenting education and support resources in our community. Thank you in advance! To begin the survey, please click here. http://bit.ly/2Npc7pK

First Five Fox Valley

To cultivate a community that empowers and supports every family to build a solid foundation for children in their first five years.

Standard pricing deadline extended for the LLL of WI 2019 CE Event:

$212 for 10 CERPS until 10/25/2019

Register through 10/25 to avoid late fees and guarantee your spot! 

Meet our Speakers:

Dr. Gerald Walczak!  is a family dentist in Steven Point. In recent years, Dr. Walczak learned of the nursing difficulties moms and infants were having due to tongue and lip ties. He has been helping these young patients and their mothers through the use of a soft tissue laser to reshape the tissue to make breastfeeding more successful and more comfortable for both mom and infant.

Gretchen Becker Crabb!  Over the last 18 years, Gretchen has provided occupational therapy, mental health and lactation support for adults, children and families through Birth to Three, Early Head Start, Head Start, UW-Madison preschools, private practice, and intensive autism programs. The foundation of her practice is in sensory integration, perinatal and body based mental health, feeding, and trauma. Gretchen owns a private practice in Madison.

Patricia Smith!  has had a private practice for 15 years, where she works with dyads with challenging breastfeeding issues using a variety of therapy  techniques and oral motor strategies. She has worked in out-patient clinics and in the NICU. She has lectured on the benefits of an integrative breastfeeding clinic and how combining the skills of Occupational therapy and manual therapy can assist with challenges in Lactation.

Lucky Tomaszek!  is a sexuality educator and birth worker. In addition to her role as education coordinator at The Tool Shed, Cream City’s education-based, mission-driven sex toy store, she has a long background as a birth worker, La Leche League Leader, and columnist. She is the author of the column “MKE SEX”, published by Milwaukee Record, and is a contributor to “The Ultimate Guide to Sex Through Pregnancy and Motherhood” by Madison Young.

The event has been approved for 7L and 3R CERPS by IBCLE

and 10 Level 1 CPEU’s by the Commission on Dietetic Registration.

Standard Pricing for this awesome event is available through October 18.  

• see www.lllofwi.org/events

Milk bank Grand Opening Final _

Feel free to print and share this flyer.

Grand Opening!

Authentic Birth Center and Peterson Lactation Services are proud to announce our partnership with The Mothers’ Milk Bank of the Western Great Lakes to become an official milk depot! Join us for a ribbon cutting ceremony, snacks, prizes, and more!

OCTOBER 23, 10-12PM
RIBBON CUTTING AT 11AM

530 N 108th Pl, Suite 100
Wauwatosa, WI 53226
(414) 231-9640

Join us to learn from Lactation Professionals From Around the State:

Gretchen Becker Crabb MSE, LPC-IT, OTR/L, CLC, IMH-E

Patricia Smith OTR, IBCLC

Lucky Tomaszek Sexuality Educator

And Dr. Gerald Walczak DDS

Learn more and register  at www.lllofwi.org.

“BOLD LACTATION: CATALYZING CHANGE WITH INTENTIONAL CONNECTIONS”

KEYNOTE SPEAKER
SHAKIRA L. HENDERSON PHD, DNP, MS, MPH, RNC-NIC, IBCLC

Tuesday, Oct. 29, 2019
7:30 a.m. – Check-in
8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. – Conference
Briggs & Stratton Auditorium,
Children’s Hospital of Wisconsin

Registration is open.

Today is the first day of World Breastfeeding Week!

Starting today the LLL of WI Bookstore is having a 25% off everything sale.

Use code BF2019 now through August 7th.

Browse here: BOOKSTORE

Books for families, to name a few

Books for Professionals, there’s more!

Merchandise to celebrate WBW and month~ check out ALL the fun items!

Happy IBCLC week!  Thanks for all you do and for your support of La Leche League of WI.

Please visit this link between 3/6-12/2019:  https://squareup.com/store/la-leche-league-of-wisconsin

Use CODE:  WALC2019  for 25% off   Feel free to pass on the link to your colleagues!

A sampling of titles listed below; much more on the website!

LLL’s  Sweet Sleep & The Womanly Art of Breastfeeding

Titles addressing diversity:  Breasting, Social Justice and Equity, Free to Breastfeed: Voices of Black Mothers, Lactation Management: Strategies for Working with African-American Moms

Plus children’s books, books for families and clinical titles!!