Arly Helm, MS, IBCLC, is an International Board Certified Lactation Consultant with Master of Science in Nutrition and Food Science. She is nutrition editor for the BriarPatch Community Market newsletter, where she served on the Board of Directors from 2001-2004. As a Quaker, she has a passion for social justice, women's issues and peace, and regularly subs for KVMR's award-winning health program, "Who Cares?" hosted by Joan Buffington. Fluent in Spanish, she also has a rotation on the Latin show, "South of the Border," on KVMR.

Please help spread the word—relactation can save lives in the areas affected by Katrina and Rita.

Link to press release on Hurricane Katrina from African-American Breastfeeding Alliance:

http://ez-websites.net/graphics/UploadFile/1120/pressrealease1_.pdf

From the press release:

"The stunningly uneven impact of this human catastrophe on low-income, African American communities is profoundly unsettling," said Kim Durdin James, AABA National President. "The magnitude of Katrina's destruction coupled with inept initial responses has unduly jeopardized the lives of highly vulnerable populations, particularly women and children."

As the nation now rushes forward to assist these desperate families in securing emergency shelter, food, and medical care, it is critical that relief efforts ensure the survivability and wellbeing of the youngest survivors by providing mothers with the encouragement, support, and "safe havens" needed to breastfeed their babies.

"In the best of times, breastfeeding is the optimal feeding choice for young children because it provides babies with all vital nutrients for growth and development," said Ms. Durdin-James, "but in times of disaster—breastfeeding can mean the difference between life and death."

The AABA Breastfeeding Support Hotline Number is 1-877-532-8535

... In order to address the wide range of personal situations and lactation concerns that arise in an emergency setting, AABA's all-female counseling staff will support the hotline around the clock to address the needs of pregnant moms, nursing moms, and women interested in re-lactation.