Helpful Info

A Win For Nursing Mothers!



On Thursday, February 10, 2011, the IRS decided to now allow breastfeeding supplies as medical tax deductions to be reimbursed by Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA). The ruling, which will affect expenses incurred starting in 2010, will allow mothers to use pretax money from their flexible spending accounts to cover the cost of breast pumps and other supplies.

The release from Congress dated 2/10/11 stated:

Washington, D.C. – In response to a request from Senators Jeff Merkley (D-OR), Tom Harkin (D-IA), and Representatives Sander Levin (D-MI) and Carolyn B. Maloney (D-NY), the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) announced they will reverse a ruling that denies equipment used to help women breast feed from being covered as a health care expense. The previous ruling excluded breast pumps from coverage under flexible health spending accounts and made them non-deductible on tax returns.

Merkley, Harkin, Levin, and Maloney wrote to IRS Commissioner Douglas Shulman in November to call for the decision to be reversed. Senators Merkley and Harkin were joined by 9 other Senators; 32 other House members joined Reps. Levin and Maloney. In response to today's decision, Senators Merkley and Harkin and Reps. Levin and Maloney released the following statement:

"Today's decision is a huge victory for nursing mothers everywhere. Modern medicine has documented numerous health benefits linked to breastfeeding, including a reduced risk of illness in infants and a reduced risk of cancer in mothers. And because breastfeeding is so effective in preventing disease, it also happens to save billions in health care costs. We thank the IRS for their careful consideration and quick response."

BENEFITS OF BREAST-FEEDING

Why is breastfeeding best?

With the upcoming arrival of your new baby, there are many decisions to be made. None more important than deciding which form of nutrition is best for you and your baby. Numerous government and private industry associations today recognize and promote the importance of exclusively providing breastmilk to babies in the first twelve months of life.

Following are compelling, research-based facts about the importance of breastmilk that may help you to make an informed choice:

Best for Baby:

* Research shows that breastfed infants have fewer and shorter episodes of illness. * Breastfeeding is the most natural and nutritious way to encourage your baby's optimal development. * Colostrum (the first milk) is a gentle, natural laxative that helps clear baby's intestine, decreasing the chance for jaundice to occur. * The superior nutrition provided by breastmilk benefits your baby's IQ. * Breastfeeding is a gentle way for newborns to transition to the world outside the womb. * The skin-to-skin contact encouraged by breastfeeding offers babies greater emotional security and enhances bonding. * The activity of sucking at the breast enhances development of baby's oral muscles, facial bones, and aids in optimal dental development. * Breastfeeding appears to reduce the risk of obesity and hypertension. * Breastfeeding delays the onset of hereditary allergic disease, and lowers the risk of developing allergic disease. * Breastfeeding helps the baby's immune system mature, protecting the baby in the meantime from viral, bacteria, and parasitic infections. * Breastfeeding increases the effectiveness of immunizations, increasing the protection against polio, tetanus, and diphtheria vaccines. * Breastfeeding protects against developing chronic diseases such as: Celiac disease, inflammatory bowel disease, asthma, and childhood cancers.

The benefits of breastfeeding appear to last even after the baby has been weaned.

Lack of Breastfeeding Increases the Risk to the Infant of:

* Ear infections * Childhood diabetes * Obesity * Gastrointestinal and diarrheal infections * Childhood cancers * SIDS * Respiratory infections * Allergies * NEC (necrotizing enterocolitis)

Best for Mother:

* Research shows that breastfeeding benefits the health of mothers. * Breastmilk is always fresh, perfectly clean, just the right temperature, and is the healthy choice at the least cost! * Increased levels of oxytocin stimulate postpartum uterine contractions, minimizing blood loss and encouraging rapid uterine toning. * From 3 months to 12 months postpartum, breastfeeding increases the rate of weight loss in most nursing mothers. * Breastfeeding offers some protection against the early return of fertility. * Because breastfed babies are healthier, their mothers miss less work and spend less time and money on pediatric care. * Breastfeeding women report psychological benefits such as increased self-confidence and a stronger sense of connection with their babies.

Lack of Breastfeeding Increases the Risk to the Mother of:

* Urinary tract infection * Pre-and post-menopausal breast cancer * Ovarian cancer * Osteoporosis

Thank you to www.medela.com for this timely information!