Breastfeeding is such a critical part of the motherhood experience for so many new mothers. It allows bonding with their baby, provides health benefits for both mom and child, and offers a more affordable way to feed their baby than buying formula on a weekly basis. After those first sleep-deprived weeks of bonding, many mothers return to work and must leave bottles of breast milk for a caregiver, so that their baby can be fed during their time away. For mothers living in poverty, going back to work or school can be nerve-racking, because a trusted caregiver or child care provider can be hard to find and they worry that this can mean the end of breastfeeding. Many new mothers cannot afford a breast pump to help them store breast milk in advance for caregivers and sometimes, they have to forego work or school so they can ensure their child is being fed breast milk and properly taken care of.
As part of our Supporting New Mothers focus area, GOOD+ Foundation works with anti-poverty programs to help empower moms to go back to work or school by providing them with new, high-quality breast pumps. Founded by Jessica Seinfeld in 2001, GOOD+ Foundation is a nonprofit organization that partners with a national network of leading programs to break the cycle of family poverty through the power of essential children’s products and transformational family services. GOOD+ Foundation donates breast pumps to anti-poverty programs that hold breastfeeding workshops to teach new moms proper breastfeeding techniques and educate them on the benefits of breastfeeding. GOOD+ Foundation donates breast pumps to the mothers who successfully complete these workshops and other breastfeeding support programs.
Recently, one of our Nurse-Family Partnership programs in NY shared the story of a 17-year-old first-time mother, Jana, who was a recipient of a GOOD+ Foundation breast pump. Jana wanted to breastfeed her baby but was also focused on graduating from high school so she could offer her daughter a brighter future. Jana’s story is a powerful example of how the gift of a breast pump—a critical tool she could never have afforded or accessed in any other way—can make a huge impact on a struggling young family. Jana shared with her nurse home visitor that it is her dream to one day become a doctor of radiology. The breast pump was an essential tool in helping this young mother pursue her dreams for herself and her family.
Breast pumps are vital to families living in poverty, making it possible for moms to go back to work or school while providing breast milk for their baby.
In honor of breastfeeding awareness month, GOOD+ Foundation is empowering moms go back to school or work by providing them breast pumps.
1 manual breast pump ($30) makes it easier for 1 mom to finish her degree or go back to work.
1 double-electric breast pump ($150) makes it EVEN EASIER for 1 mom to finish her degree or go back to work.Please visit give.goodplusfoundation.org/helpmomsucceed to help empower moms to reach their goals.
GOOD+ Foundation partners with a national network of leading programs to break the cycle of family poverty through the power of essential children’s products and transformational family services. For more information visit www.goodplusfoundation.org, or Like us on Facebook at GOOD+ Foundation and follow us on Twitter and Instagram @GoodPlusFdn.
Disclosures: Guest Post – Good+Foundation
Photo Credit – Genevieve Huba