Happy World Breastfeeding Week, 2012!

August 1^st marks the beginning of World Breastfeeding Week 2012, which just so happens to be the 20^th anniversary of this breastfeeding celebration.

As a huge advocate for breastfeeding, and having spent over four of my five years of motherhood as a breastfeeding mom, I had never heard of World Breastfeeding Week until last year. And when I did finally hear about it, I had no idea what it was!

World Breastfeeding Week is a celebration of breastfeeding that occurs August 1st-7^th of each year. Over 170 countries join in the celebration which commemorates the Innocenti Declaration, a document drafted by the World Health Organization (WHO) and the United National Children's Fund (UNICEF) that protects, promotes and supports breastfeeding. For additional information on the purpose and goals of World Breastfeeding Week 2012, be sure to check out www.worldbreastfeedingweek.org. The site contains a wealth of information about why this week is so important.

World Breastfeeding Week 2012 will be celebrated in various ways across the United States over the coming week. This is a great week to stock up on breastfeeding supplies as many breastfeeding stores will celebrate with discounted products and giveaways. There is also a large event, The Great Nurse In 2012, being held in Washington DC. The Great Nurse In is the first event of it's kind, being held on the West Lawn of the Capitol where organizers are hoping to draw at least 500,000 supporters of nursing. The goal of this event is to let law makers know that breastfeeding moms and supporters of breastfeeding would like to see improved breastfeeding laws and policies, including more protection for public breastfeeding.

On a local level, nursing moms are invited to participate in the Big Latch On 2012, a two day event where moms across the world will breastfeed simultaneously in hopes of breaking the world record. Last year, the Big Latch On results tallied in at 5687 mothers nursing in 412 locations in 5 different countries. The events scheduled for this year's Big Latch On already include 567 locations in 23 countries. To participate, go to www.biglatchon.org and find the location nearest you. This event will take place on Friday August 3^rd and Saturday August 4^th at 10:30 in the morning on both days.

For those of us unable to attend either of the events celebrating World Breastfeeding Week 2012, I like to think there are other ways we can celebrate. I know that I for one will be nursing my daughter throughout this week and using the time to reflect on what a blessing my time as a breastfeeding mom has been. I will try to use my knowledge of World Breastfeeding Week to bring up nursing in conversation and educate others on the need for breastfeeding reform. I also plan to brush up on my knowledge of the laws in my area and write letters to government officials urging them to improve the laws to protect the rights of breastfeeding moms and babies everywhere.

MM is celebrating by offering 20% off all nursing pieces until Saturday, August 4th with code "NURSING". Don't miss out on a chance to get one of those nursing pieces you've had your eye on!

Happy World Breastfeeding Week 2012! What are you doing to celebrate?  If you find any great deals on breastfeeding supplies or products, please share!