A recent survey highlights the persistent challenges faced by working breastfeeding parents, revealing that a significant portion still lacks adequate pumping facilities in their workplaces. This issue persists despite the 2022 federal PUMP for Nursing Mothers Act, which mandates reasonable break times and private, non-bathroom spaces for employees to pump. The survey, conducted by Mamava and Medela, involved nearly 3,000 parents and aimed to understand their feeding experiences, difficulties, and support structures. The findings underscore a continued failure by workplaces and public spaces to provide necessary accommodations, often forcing parents to use unsuitable locations like cars, storage closets, or restrooms. This environment undermines parents' comfort and safety, making it exceedingly difficult to continue breastfeeding after returning to work. According to Sascha Mayer, co-founder of Mamava, these logistical hurdles, combined with a lack of awareness regarding workplace rights, significantly impede parents' ability to achieve their breastfeeding objectives.
The absence of proper support for pumping in the workplace has tangible consequences, contributing to a sharp decline in breastfeeding rates. While a large majority of parents initially breastfeed, the number drops significantly by six months, a trend largely attributed to the lack of designated pumping spaces. This not only causes stress for parents but also signals that their needs are not valued within the work environment. The ability to pump regularly is crucial for working parents striving to adhere to exclusive breastfeeding recommendations from organizations like the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) and the World Health Organization (WHO), which suggest breastfeeding for the first six months and beyond. Dr. Jenelle Ferry, a neonatologist, emphasizes that this lack of accommodation perpetuates inequality. For parents, irregular pumping can lead to painful conditions such as engorgement and mastitis, and a decrease in milk supply. Emotionally, it can be disheartening when employers fail to provide such basic support. Businesses also suffer from this lack of support, potentially facing reduced productivity, higher employee turnover, and increased healthcare costs. Without proper facilities and time, many parents may prematurely end their breastfeeding journeys, creating ripple effects on family health, equity, and the economy.
Understanding one's rights and advocating for them is crucial for breastfeeding parents. The PUMP for Nursing Mothers Act mandates that most employers provide designated pumping spaces, though some exemptions exist for small businesses or specific job categories. However, the survey revealed that many parents are unaware of their rights or the existence of this law. Experts advise parents to initiate conversations with their employers, advocating for their needs rather than adopting an adversarial stance. Resources are available to help parents understand the benefits of lactation support for both employees and employers. If an employer remains non-compliant, filing a complaint with the Department of Labor is an option, as retaliation is illegal. For those facing challenges, a lactation consultant can help develop a personalized pumping schedule, recommend portable and efficient pumps, and suggest maintaining a ready pumping kit. Utilizing apps to locate public pumping spaces and leaning on support networks can also be beneficial. Ultimately, every effort made to provide breast milk is valuable, and the focus should be on sustainable breastfeeding practices rather than striving for unattainable perfection. When workplaces and public areas actively support breastfeeding, it empowers families to achieve their feeding goals, benefiting everyone involved.
In contemporary adolescent circles, a new term, 'chopped,' has emerged as a colloquial expression, primarily used to denigrate an individual's physical appearance or social standing. This linguistic phenomenon is rapidly disseminating through digital platforms, serving as a covert communication method among teenagers. Although it might appear as a harmless trend, its usage can deeply affect young individuals, leading to heightened anxiety, impaired self-worth, and social isolation. This article delves into the origins and psychological ramifications of such terminology, offering insights for parents to address these challenges constructively.
The proliferation of terms like 'chopped' among young people can be attributed to several factors. Firstly, it functions as a social currency, allowing teenagers to establish and maintain a sense of belonging within their peer groups. Using such language can make individuals feel secure and integrated, as they actively participate in the group's internal communication system. Conversely, being the recipient of such labels can induce intense fear and insecurity, reinforcing the perceived safety in being the one who uses the term, rather than being targeted by it. This dynamic creates a constant tension between the desire for inclusion and the dread of exclusion, amplifying the term's power within adolescent social hierarchies.
Dr. Jennifer Katzenstein, Director of Psychology, Neuropsychology, and Social Work at Johns Hopkins All Children's Hospital, highlights how this type of derogatory language perpetuates a narrow view of self-worth, tying it directly to superficial qualities like physical attractiveness or social popularity. As a result, teenagers often meticulously regulate their behavior, attire, and online presence to avoid being labeled. Dr. Katzenstein notes that these appearance-based insults, particularly prevalent on social media, are a swift yet harmful means to assert dominance or align with peers, leading to a desensitization to cruelty among those who employ such terms, thereby eroding empathy and fostering a greater tolerance for bullying behaviors.
Echoing these concerns, Divya Dodhia, a child and family therapist in New Jersey, views this form of slang as a tool for creating social stratification. Teenagers leverage these terms to elevate their own status by diminishing others, a mechanism that serves as a veiled form of self-preservation. Belonging to a group that uses such language provides a sense of security, allowing individuals to conform and deflect potential targeting onto others. This relentless self-scrutiny, driven by the fear of being labeled 'chopped,' can undermine a teenager's confidence and resilience, leading to chronic anxiety and withdrawal.
Parents are encouraged to transform these moments of slang discovery into meaningful dialogues. Instead of immediately condemning the language, experts advise adopting a curious approach. Initiating conversations about what these words signify to teenagers and their perceived impact on others can foster a deeper understanding. Demonstrating empathy by highlighting acts of kindness and emphasizing that an individual's worth extends beyond their looks or popularity can guide teenagers toward more compassionate interactions. While setting boundaries is crucial, these limits are most effective when coupled with understanding rather than condemnation, promoting critical thinking about the language used and heard in their social environments.
Unlock Unbeatable Savings: Your Labor Day Shopping Guide
Navigating the Amazon Labor Day Sales Event
The transition into fall is marked by the Labor Day holiday, and with it, a flood of enticing deals on Amazon. While summer lingers, this extended weekend serves as an unofficial start to the autumn shopping season, making it an ideal time to secure items for your family, or even get a head start on holiday gifts. Thousands of discounts await, covering everything from essential baby items like strollers and car seats to the latest toys. Beyond necessities for children, treat yourself to stylish fashion, popular beauty items, and cutting-edge electronics, with prices beginning at an astonishing $4.
Prime Discounts Across All Categories
This year's Labor Day sale features extraordinary markdowns, including up to 90% off select Apple AirPods, sought-after Lego sets, trendy Stanley tumblers, durable Owala water bottles, and a range of Evenflo car seats and strollers. We've meticulously selected the top 65 Amazon Labor Day deals from leading brands such as Apple, Melissa & Doug, and Shark, ensuring you access the best offers available.
Top Picks Under $50: Affordable Finds for Everyone
Some of the most appealing Labor Day bargains on Amazon are priced under $50, offering something for every member of the family. From a chic maxi dress perfect for the changing season—nearly half off—to an Owala water bottle for just $25, and an imaginative Lego set available for a mere $10, these deals ensure quality and value. These accessible prices allow you to shop for yourself, your children, and your home without breaking the bank.
Enhance Your Beauty and Style: Fashion and Cosmetics Deals
As summer draws to a close, consider refreshing your wardrobe with fashionable finds. A versatile maxi dress with pockets offers comfort and style for the transition into fall. Complement your new look with discounted Adidas sneakers and a chic crossbody bag, available at almost half price. The Labor Day sale also extends to top-selling beauty products, featuring nearly 40% off Medicube Zero Pore Pads and a 33% discount on Bliss brightening serum, helping you maintain a radiant complexion.
Smart Solutions for Parents: Strollers and Car Seats
For parents, the Labor Day sales bring significant price reductions on essential baby gear, including car seats from trusted brands like Uppababy and Maxi-Cosi, with savings reaching up to $160. An Evenflo travel system, complete with an infant car seat and a compatible stroller, is perfect for new parents. For those who prioritize outdoor fitness, the Thule Urban Glide 3 All-Terrain Stroller, lauded for its lightweight design and smooth handling, is currently available at over $150 off.
Transform Your Home: Vacuum Deals
Embrace the autumn nesting season by upgrading your home cleaning arsenal with substantial discounts on vacuums from leading brands such as Dyson, Shark, and Bissell, with savings up to 76%. Whether you're refreshing your carpets with a Hoover PowerScrub Carpet Cleaner—now $50 off—or seeking a powerful handheld device to tackle everyday messes, these sales provide an excellent opportunity to enhance your home environment.
Cutting-Edge Electronics and Tech Gadgets
Explore impressive savings on technology and electronics, with discounts exceeding $175 this Labor Day weekend. From the Amazon Fire Kids tablet, perfect for educational entertainment, to highly discounted power banks, there's a tech deal for every need. Don't miss out on Apple offers, including the AirPods Pro 2 and multi-packs of AirTags. Gaming enthusiasts can also find a rare discount on the original Nintendo Switch. Additionally, take advantage of price drops on Beats headphones and specialized noise-cancelling headphones for children, ensuring quality audio for all ages.
Essential Baby Items: Comfort and Convenience
This Labor Day is an opportune moment to stock up on baby essentials, particularly those vital for the upcoming cold and flu season, such as touchless thermometers and top-fill humidifiers. Secure a safe and comfortable sleep environment with a mini crib that includes a changing station and storage, now over $100 off. Other indispensable items for little ones, like white noise machines for peaceful sleep and high chairs for easy meal times, are also available at reduced prices.
Kitchen and Home Upgrades: Functional and Stylish
Discover a wealth of home deals on Amazon, encompassing everything from a plush bathroom mat—a favorite among thousands of shoppers—to an electric food warming mat, now an astonishing 90% off. Enhance your sleeping experience with hotel-quality bed pillows and a comfortable twin mattress. And for those seeking hydration on the go, the popular Stanley IceFlow Tumbler is also part of this extensive sale, providing both style and utility for your daily routines.