Mixing Causes
Deb Pladsen, CLA
Adapted by Scarlett Miles, APC from Northern Lights,
LLL of Minnesota/Dakotas, Summer 2014
 
     When Leaders mix causes at LLL meetings, attendees may not get what they came for, which is breastfeeding information and support. Although we are aware of this, we sometimes forget exactly what it means to mix causes. The LLLI policy statement on mixing causes says, in part, “Helping mothers worldwide to breastfeed, so that they can learn mothering through breastfeeding, is the main focus of La Leche League work.” In addition, “The LLL Group is not to be used as a forum for a Leader’s non-LLL interests or to do the work of organizations other than LLL” (LLLI Policies and Standing Rules, Appendix 10).
 
     Sometimes it’s quite easy to avoid the promotion of non-LLL interests, but could you be promoting something without realizing it?  Leaders frequently use media are emails and Facebook. Do you have an automatic signature that gets attached to outgoing emails? It can be a useful tool when responding to helping situations. You may include your full name, contact phone number, email address, meeting information, etc. However, it may also be sending information that could be viewed as mixing causes. Please check your email signature to make sure you aren’t sending mothers links to religious organizations, home businesses, or other sites which are outside the scope of LLL. Some Leaders choose to close with an automatic signature containing an inspirational quote or personal message that is meaningful to them. Check these as well to make sure they aren’t political or religious in nature, nor should they promote something which conflicts with LLL policies. (If you have questions about whether or not something could be viewed as “mixing causes,” please contact your District Advisor (DA) for clarification.) The LLLUSA Social Media Guidelines include this timely guidance: Group participants may see your personal online activity. Consider this before “friending” Group participants. Your current profile picture can be seen on any post or comment you have ever made in some formats. If you utilize forums such as Facebook groups, keep any advocacy or advertisement off your profile picture and your cover photo to avoid mixing causes.
 
     Another place we can easily include things which would be considered mixing causes is when we create conversation prompts or meeting audiovisuals. When we include pictures from other organizations, which may reinforce the subject of the meeting, it may look as if we are endorsing that other organization.  Asking a co-Leader to preview your meeting materials is an easy way to catch anything which might be construed as mixing causes. If you have questions about whether or not something could be viewed as “mixing causes,” please contact your District Advisor (DA) for clarification.

PL Department News
Update to Breastfeeding with Influenza by Katie Lewis, APL

The Center for Disease Control (CDC) recently revised its recommendations regarding breastfeeding and the flu.  This was done in recognition of the importance of immunological factors in a parent’s own milk in protecting babies from getting influenza and to keep their information current.  Here is a link to the CDC website: 

https://www.cdc.gov/breastfeeding/disease/influenza.htm

The major change is that the CDC is no longer encouraging the breastfeeding parent to quarantine herself from the baby in the home if the parent gets the influenza virus. Instead, the CDC recommends that breastfeeding continue as normal. The CDC does point out that, in some cases, a parent’s milk supply may drop due to dropped feedings and dehydration. This article from http://www.kellymom.com has some good information to help avoid such a decrease in supply.  It can be shared with parents: https://goo.gl/tegjcg

Some parents may feel so ill that breastfeeding seems too taxing.  The above http://www.kellymom.com link suggests keeping the baby in bed with the parent, which a lot of parents find helpful.  In cases where a parent prefers to pump and have a healthy caregiver give the expressed breastmilk to the baby, the parent should be supported with information about feeding a breastfed baby in a way that protects breastfeeding.  Leaders may find these are helpful links to share: https://www.llli.org/breastfeeding-info/bottles/ https://goo.gl/a5wS5B

Many parents may find the CDC recommendations for cleaning a pump helpful as well: https://goo.gl/Xw53Vf

The CDC does suggest that newly born infants who are still in the hospital should possibly be separated from the breastfeeding parent.  It is not a blanket recommendation, however, and health care providers are encouraged to consider parental wishes.  This may be a source of confusion for parents and Leaders when sharing information. This link from the CDC explains precautions perinatal and postnatal parents and health care providers can take to help prevent the transmission of the influenza virus to a newborn: https://goo.gl/QZm9Cv

Leaders can help parents who are separated from their newborns in the hospital by sharing information about getting their milk production off to a good start with hand expression and pumping.  These articles might be helpful: https://www.llli.org/breastfeeding-info/hand-expressing/ and  https://goo.gl/Nu9EEp

As Leaders, our goal should be to share as much information as possible to help the parent make the best choice for the baby and the situation. 

Works cited:

“Breastfeeding.” Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 13 Feb. 2018, http://www.cdc.gov/breastfeeding/disease/influenza.htm.

Lyford, Eva. “How to Bottle Feed the Breastfed Baby • KellyMom.com.” KellyMom.com, 8 Feb. 2018, kellymom.com/bf/pumpingmoms/feeding-tools/bottle-feeding/.

Did you catch LLL NY Leader Leigh Anne O’Connor’s piece,  Oversupply: Gift or Curse? Nov. 17, 2017, Breastfeeding Today   http://ow.ly/jstY30iukgc