A “thinking person” knows that breast-feeding is natural and helps babies meet their nutritional needs. A “thinking person” also knows that it's best to do what you can to put others around you at ease.
That's the case that editor Thomas P. Farley makes in the book “Town & Country Modern Manners: The Thinking Person's Guide to Social Graces” (Hearst).
click to read more....
Monday, December 26, 2005
Friday, December 23, 2005
The Twelve Days of Breastfeeding
Twelve Days of Breastfeeding!
by Kelliann Mendez (breastfeeding peer counselor)
On the first day of breastfeeding my mommy gave to me:
colostrum to increase my immunity!
On the second day of breastfeeding my mommy gave to me:
two full breasts and colostrum to increase my immunity!
On the third day of breastfeeding my mommy gave to me:
minimized jaundice, two full breasts and colostrum to increase my immunity!
On the fourth day of breastfeeding my mommy gave to me:
fewer Doctor visits, minimized jaundice, two full breasts and colostrum to increase my immunity!
On the fifth day of breastfeeding my mommy gave to me:
LESS ALLERGIES!... fewer Doctor visits, minimized jaundice, two full breasts and colostrum to increase my immunity!
On the sixth day of breastfeeding my mommy gave to me:
Zero constipation LESS ALLERGIES!... fewer Doctor visits, minimized jaundice, two full breasts and colostrum to increase my immunity!
On the seventh day of breastfeeding my mommy gave to me:
teeth and jaw development, zero constipation, LESS ALLERGIES!... fewer Doctor visits, minimized jaundice, two full breasts and colostrum to increase my immunity!
On the eighth day of breastfeeding my mommy gave to me:
reduced risk of breast cancer, teeth and jaw development, zero constipation, LESS ALLERGIES!... fewer Doctor visits, minimized jaundice, two full breasts and colostrum to increase my immunity!
On the ninth day of breastfeeding my mommy gave to me:
skin to skin comfort, reduced risk of breast cancer, teeth and jaw development, zero constipation, LESS ALLERGIES!... fewer Doctor visits, minimized jaundice, two full breasts and colostrum to increase my immunity!
On the tenth day of breastfeeding my mommy gave to me:
decreased chance of diabetes, skin to skin comfort, reduced risk of breast cancer, teeth and jaw development, zero constipation, LESS ALLERGIES!... fewer Doctor visits, minimized jaundice, two full breasts and colostrum to increase my immunity!
On the eleventh day of breastfeeding my mommy gave to me:
bonding and loving, decreased chance of diabetes, skin to skin comfort, reduced risk of breast cancer, teeth and jaw development, zero constipation, LESS ALLERGIES!... fewer doctor visits, minimized jaundice, two full breasts and colostrum to increase my immunity!
On the twelfth day of breastfeeding my mommy gave to me:
Higher IQ, bonding and loving, decreased chance of diabetes, skin to skin comfort, reduced risk of breast cancer, teeth and jaw development, zero constipation, LESS ALLERGIES!... fewer Doctor visits, minimized jaundice, two full breasts and colostrum to increase my immunity!
by Kelliann Mendez (breastfeeding peer counselor)
On the first day of breastfeeding my mommy gave to me:
colostrum to increase my immunity!
On the second day of breastfeeding my mommy gave to me:
two full breasts and colostrum to increase my immunity!
On the third day of breastfeeding my mommy gave to me:
minimized jaundice, two full breasts and colostrum to increase my immunity!
On the fourth day of breastfeeding my mommy gave to me:
fewer Doctor visits, minimized jaundice, two full breasts and colostrum to increase my immunity!
On the fifth day of breastfeeding my mommy gave to me:
LESS ALLERGIES!... fewer Doctor visits, minimized jaundice, two full breasts and colostrum to increase my immunity!
On the sixth day of breastfeeding my mommy gave to me:
Zero constipation LESS ALLERGIES!... fewer Doctor visits, minimized jaundice, two full breasts and colostrum to increase my immunity!
On the seventh day of breastfeeding my mommy gave to me:
teeth and jaw development, zero constipation, LESS ALLERGIES!... fewer Doctor visits, minimized jaundice, two full breasts and colostrum to increase my immunity!
On the eighth day of breastfeeding my mommy gave to me:
reduced risk of breast cancer, teeth and jaw development, zero constipation, LESS ALLERGIES!... fewer Doctor visits, minimized jaundice, two full breasts and colostrum to increase my immunity!
On the ninth day of breastfeeding my mommy gave to me:
skin to skin comfort, reduced risk of breast cancer, teeth and jaw development, zero constipation, LESS ALLERGIES!... fewer Doctor visits, minimized jaundice, two full breasts and colostrum to increase my immunity!
On the tenth day of breastfeeding my mommy gave to me:
decreased chance of diabetes, skin to skin comfort, reduced risk of breast cancer, teeth and jaw development, zero constipation, LESS ALLERGIES!... fewer Doctor visits, minimized jaundice, two full breasts and colostrum to increase my immunity!
On the eleventh day of breastfeeding my mommy gave to me:
bonding and loving, decreased chance of diabetes, skin to skin comfort, reduced risk of breast cancer, teeth and jaw development, zero constipation, LESS ALLERGIES!... fewer doctor visits, minimized jaundice, two full breasts and colostrum to increase my immunity!
On the twelfth day of breastfeeding my mommy gave to me:
Higher IQ, bonding and loving, decreased chance of diabetes, skin to skin comfort, reduced risk of breast cancer, teeth and jaw development, zero constipation, LESS ALLERGIES!... fewer Doctor visits, minimized jaundice, two full breasts and colostrum to increase my immunity!
Thursday, December 22, 2005
State Bans Hospital Gift Bags In Move To Promote Breastfeeding (TheBostonChannel.com)
BOSTON -- The widespread practice of giving gift bags filled with baby formula and other freebies to new mothers has been banned at hospitals in Massachusetts in a move by state health officials to promote breast-feeding.
The ban doesn't forbid hospitals from giving out free formula, but it ends a longtime marketing practice that breast-feeding advocates say was designed to turn harried new mothers toward a less healthy alternative, and also implied an endorsement of formula by hospitals.
"There's no free lunch and there's no free gift," said Beth Sargent, a lactation consultant from Needham. "A gift is something given freely without the anticipation of a return. There is absolutely an anticipation of return."
click to read more...
The ban doesn't forbid hospitals from giving out free formula, but it ends a longtime marketing practice that breast-feeding advocates say was designed to turn harried new mothers toward a less healthy alternative, and also implied an endorsement of formula by hospitals.
"There's no free lunch and there's no free gift," said Beth Sargent, a lactation consultant from Needham. "A gift is something given freely without the anticipation of a return. There is absolutely an anticipation of return."
click to read more...
Mass. Bans Hospital Gift Bags for New Moms (Forbes.com)
New moms at hospitals in Massachusetts will no longer get gift diaper bags filled with baby formula and other freebies, thanks to state health officials intent on promoting breast-feeding.
The ban on goodies from formula companies drew mixed reactions from mothers like Sarah Wood, who has a 15-month-old son.
"The pressure to breast-feed is good. The problem is it doesn't work out for everyone," she said, bemoaning the guilt some mothers feel.
The ban doesn't bar hospitals from giving out free formula. But it ends a longtime marketing practice that breast-feeding advocates say was designed to turn harried new mothers toward a less healthy alternative - and implied an endorsement of formula by hospitals.
"There's no free lunch and there's no free gift," said Beth Sargent, an independent lactation consultant from Needham. "A gift is something given freely without the anticipation of a return. There is absolutely an anticipation of return."
click to read more....
The ban on goodies from formula companies drew mixed reactions from mothers like Sarah Wood, who has a 15-month-old son.
"The pressure to breast-feed is good. The problem is it doesn't work out for everyone," she said, bemoaning the guilt some mothers feel.
The ban doesn't bar hospitals from giving out free formula. But it ends a longtime marketing practice that breast-feeding advocates say was designed to turn harried new mothers toward a less healthy alternative - and implied an endorsement of formula by hospitals.
"There's no free lunch and there's no free gift," said Beth Sargent, an independent lactation consultant from Needham. "A gift is something given freely without the anticipation of a return. There is absolutely an anticipation of return."
click to read more....
Abandoned babies get mothers' milk (BBC NEWS)
Amid high HIV infection rates in South Africa, women in Durban are volunteering to provide immune-boosting breast milk to abandoned children, the BBC's Mahlatse Gallens reports.
....Project co-ordinator Penny Reimers says the advantages of breast milk have been proved by a World Health Organisation study.
"The WHO did a study of children in developing countries and they found that children who are not breast fed are six times more likely to die from diarrhoea and pneumonia - it's literally life saying," she says.
"The studies they have done in relation to HIV show that if a child is exclusively breast fed for six months - that means no other formula or water - these babies have a very low chance of contracting the HIV virus."
click to read more...
....Project co-ordinator Penny Reimers says the advantages of breast milk have been proved by a World Health Organisation study.
"The WHO did a study of children in developing countries and they found that children who are not breast fed are six times more likely to die from diarrhoea and pneumonia - it's literally life saying," she says.
"The studies they have done in relation to HIV show that if a child is exclusively breast fed for six months - that means no other formula or water - these babies have a very low chance of contracting the HIV virus."
click to read more...
SUPER-MUMMY DONATED 200 LITRES OF MILK IN 7 MONTHS (Agenzia Giornalistica Italia)
Benedetta D'Arrigo is a nurse in the paediatrics ward of the San Giuseppe hospital in Empoli. She donated 202.25 litres of milk in seven months and 15 days. She collected 170 centilitres of milk at every breast pumping (one litre per day).
click to read more...
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Gift Bags Of Freebie Formula Banned In MA (CBS4 Boston)
(CBS4) BOSTON New moms in Massachusetts will go home with their little bundles of joy, but they will no longer go home with gift bags from formula companies. The state is first in the nation to ban the freebies.
Public health officials say they are doing this to promote breast feeding, but not all mothers we spoke with feel it's a good idea.
Many times a day, Colleen Chave reaches into her diaper bag, getting something for her daughter Sara Grace. Often times, it's the product of the company that provided the bag, Enfamil formula. Chave got the bag as she was leaving the hospital.
“They gave us a lot of supplies for myself and then for the baby they sent home a black bag filled with some formula samples," Chave says.
click to read more....
Public health officials say they are doing this to promote breast feeding, but not all mothers we spoke with feel it's a good idea.
Many times a day, Colleen Chave reaches into her diaper bag, getting something for her daughter Sara Grace. Often times, it's the product of the company that provided the bag, Enfamil formula. Chave got the bag as she was leaving the hospital.
“They gave us a lot of supplies for myself and then for the baby they sent home a black bag filled with some formula samples," Chave says.
click to read more....
Mass. moms cry over spilt milk: Hospitals KOing free infant formula (BostonHerald.com)
Got milk?
If you’re a new mother, you’d better.
Because beginning soon, hospitals will no longer be allowed to give free infant formula to mothers taking new babies home. Regulators want to promote breast-feeding, even if it means making Massachusetts the first state to ban the popular freebie.
“I think it’s ridiculous,” fumed Christine Kingdon of Brookline, mother of a 3-year-old and twin 12-day-old boys. “It’s a personal choice. (Breast feeding) doesn’t work for everyone.”
The free formula was “a big help,” said Camille Byron, a Mattapan mother who got a backpack full of free formula and coupons after giving birth to her son, now 2, at Brigham and Women’s Hospital.
“Formula is pretty expensive,” she added.
Nearly every hospital in Massachusetts — and across the country — gives new mothers commercial formula gift bags provided by formula companies. It’s often a diaper bag bearing the company logo and full of formula, formula literature, formula coupons and other items.
click to read more...
If you’re a new mother, you’d better.
Because beginning soon, hospitals will no longer be allowed to give free infant formula to mothers taking new babies home. Regulators want to promote breast-feeding, even if it means making Massachusetts the first state to ban the popular freebie.
“I think it’s ridiculous,” fumed Christine Kingdon of Brookline, mother of a 3-year-old and twin 12-day-old boys. “It’s a personal choice. (Breast feeding) doesn’t work for everyone.”
The free formula was “a big help,” said Camille Byron, a Mattapan mother who got a backpack full of free formula and coupons after giving birth to her son, now 2, at Brigham and Women’s Hospital.
“Formula is pretty expensive,” she added.
Nearly every hospital in Massachusetts — and across the country — gives new mothers commercial formula gift bags provided by formula companies. It’s often a diaper bag bearing the company logo and full of formula, formula literature, formula coupons and other items.
click to read more...
To boost nursing, state puts limits on gifts of formula (The Boston Globe)
An intensified campaign by Massachusetts public-health authorities to encourage breast-feeding comes amid a growing international push for the practice, which offers extensive health benefits to mother and child, specialists said yesterday.
Since the late 1980s, the state Department of Public Health has adopted increasingly stringent rules designed to support breast-feeding, and this week the agency moved to further restrict corporate promotions of infant formula in hospital maternity wards.
While free formula will still be available, the new rules will ban formula makers from routinely putting samples in the gift bags that are a customary memento for new mothers. The action this week, which puts Massachusetts at the leading edge of formula restrictions in hospitals, extends limits that had been in place for more than a decade.
click to read more....
Since the late 1980s, the state Department of Public Health has adopted increasingly stringent rules designed to support breast-feeding, and this week the agency moved to further restrict corporate promotions of infant formula in hospital maternity wards.
While free formula will still be available, the new rules will ban formula makers from routinely putting samples in the gift bags that are a customary memento for new mothers. The action this week, which puts Massachusetts at the leading edge of formula restrictions in hospitals, extends limits that had been in place for more than a decade.
click to read more....
Wednesday, December 21, 2005
Massachusetts Becomes First State to Prohibit Formula Marketing in Hospitals
Boston, December 20, 2005— In a groundbreaking step for mothers and babies, Massachusetts became the first state to prohibit hospitals from giving out free formula company diaper bags to new parents. Giving out these bags reduces the duration and exclusivity of breastfeeding and is considered unethical by many national and international groups, including the World Health Organization. Multiple studies, even from prestigious medical journals such as the Lancet, have shown that the bags interfere with breastfeeding, causing moms to switch to formula sooner, or quit nursing altogether-- even when the bags do not contain formula samples.
For decades, formula companies used hospitals to hand out diaper bags stocked with coupons and free samples. Most parents see these as a “free gift,” but the bags are a marketing technique that implies that the hospital endorses the product, successfully boosting sales of formula at the expense of breastfeeding. “One day, formula marketing in hospitals will go the way of cigarette ads on TV,” said Melissa Bartick, MD, Chair of the Massachusetts Breastfeeding Coalition.
The new rules on formula marketing are part of a much larger update of existing perinatal regulations written by the Department of Public Health and today approved by the Public Health Council. Hospitals must follow DPH regulations in order to be allowed to operate in the state. The regulations contain many other mandates that help promote and support breastfeeding and otherwise limit formula marketing.
In banning the distribution of these items, the DPH acknowledges that there is no medical justification for the institutional marketing of formula products to new parents. The vast majority of hospitals in Massachusetts and the US give out free diaper bags containing formula to new moms, and also accept free formula for in-hospital use. This marketing practice deviates from the standards followed by health care providers and hospitals in every other respect. For example, hospitals do not give out coupons for name-brand clothing, name-brand foods outside of maternity. “We’d never tolerate the thought of hospitals giving out coupons for Big Macs on the cardiac unit,” said Dr. Bartick, an internist. Since lack of breastfeeding is clearly associated with multiple adverse health outcomes in children and mothers, distribution of formula marketing materials by hospitals and health care providers has been recognized as unethical since at least 1981, when the World Health Organization approved the International Code of Marketing of Breastmilk Substitutes.
Members of MBC on the taskforce that drafted the new regulations helped make the case for eliminating the diaper bags. The formula bags may actually cost families money: “Not only is there the expense of formula, but parents and society end up paying for medications and time lost from work to care for a sick child,” says Dr. Kimberly Lee, a neonatologist at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center in Boston.
As proof of the companies’ influence, Dr. Lee notes that parents almost always continue to use the brand of formula their baby got in the hospital—and those formulas are typically the most expensive.
These new regulations will go far in improving the quality of care to mothers and their newborns.
(source - Massachusetts Breastfeeding Coalition)
For decades, formula companies used hospitals to hand out diaper bags stocked with coupons and free samples. Most parents see these as a “free gift,” but the bags are a marketing technique that implies that the hospital endorses the product, successfully boosting sales of formula at the expense of breastfeeding. “One day, formula marketing in hospitals will go the way of cigarette ads on TV,” said Melissa Bartick, MD, Chair of the Massachusetts Breastfeeding Coalition.
The new rules on formula marketing are part of a much larger update of existing perinatal regulations written by the Department of Public Health and today approved by the Public Health Council. Hospitals must follow DPH regulations in order to be allowed to operate in the state. The regulations contain many other mandates that help promote and support breastfeeding and otherwise limit formula marketing.
In banning the distribution of these items, the DPH acknowledges that there is no medical justification for the institutional marketing of formula products to new parents. The vast majority of hospitals in Massachusetts and the US give out free diaper bags containing formula to new moms, and also accept free formula for in-hospital use. This marketing practice deviates from the standards followed by health care providers and hospitals in every other respect. For example, hospitals do not give out coupons for name-brand clothing, name-brand foods outside of maternity. “We’d never tolerate the thought of hospitals giving out coupons for Big Macs on the cardiac unit,” said Dr. Bartick, an internist. Since lack of breastfeeding is clearly associated with multiple adverse health outcomes in children and mothers, distribution of formula marketing materials by hospitals and health care providers has been recognized as unethical since at least 1981, when the World Health Organization approved the International Code of Marketing of Breastmilk Substitutes.
Members of MBC on the taskforce that drafted the new regulations helped make the case for eliminating the diaper bags. The formula bags may actually cost families money: “Not only is there the expense of formula, but parents and society end up paying for medications and time lost from work to care for a sick child,” says Dr. Kimberly Lee, a neonatologist at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center in Boston.
As proof of the companies’ influence, Dr. Lee notes that parents almost always continue to use the brand of formula their baby got in the hospital—and those formulas are typically the most expensive.
These new regulations will go far in improving the quality of care to mothers and their newborns.
(source - Massachusetts Breastfeeding Coalition)
Tuesday, December 20, 2005
Big News in Massachusetts!
The Massachusetts Public Health Council has just approved revisions to the Hospital Licensure Regulations for Maternal and Newborn Services that prohibit the direct marketing of commercial formula materials to mothers, including the distribution of commercial formula discharge bags. The revised regulations also include additional provisions to strengthen breastfeeding education and support in the hospital setting.
YES!!!!!
YES!!!!!
Breast-Feeding Moms Take Action: 'Lactivists' and Lawmakers Push to Allow Public Nursing (ABC News)
Dec. 20, 2005 — It was one of those moments new moms dread. While Lori Rueger was shopping with her infant daughter, the baby "pitched a fit" — she needed to be fed.
"When I started heading back to the car, I saw there was a Victoria's Secret," Rueger said. "Being a past customer of Victoria's Secret, I knew they had really nice dressing rooms. [I thought:] 'I'll see if they let me use it and buy something for their trouble and be on my way.'"
Instead, she said, she was told that breast-feeding in the store was against company policy and was advised to go to a nearby bathroom, which she told the employee she would not do. "I just kind of looked at her and said, 'I wouldn't eat in there. Would you?'"
At a time when "lactivists" boycott noncompliant businesses and hold nurse-ins to promote acceptance of public breast-feeding, laws regarding breast-feeding already are in place in 38 states, 31 of which allow mothers to breast-feed in any public or private location, according to October figures from the National Conference of State Legislatures. Prompted by Rueger's encounter, South Carolina is poised to become the 39th state as legislation is to be introduced next month.
click to read more...
"When I started heading back to the car, I saw there was a Victoria's Secret," Rueger said. "Being a past customer of Victoria's Secret, I knew they had really nice dressing rooms. [I thought:] 'I'll see if they let me use it and buy something for their trouble and be on my way.'"
Instead, she said, she was told that breast-feeding in the store was against company policy and was advised to go to a nearby bathroom, which she told the employee she would not do. "I just kind of looked at her and said, 'I wouldn't eat in there. Would you?'"
At a time when "lactivists" boycott noncompliant businesses and hold nurse-ins to promote acceptance of public breast-feeding, laws regarding breast-feeding already are in place in 38 states, 31 of which allow mothers to breast-feed in any public or private location, according to October figures from the National Conference of State Legislatures. Prompted by Rueger's encounter, South Carolina is poised to become the 39th state as legislation is to be introduced next month.
click to read more...
Lactation center asks local mothers for help (Caller.com: Local News)
State's newest collection site looks for donors
The looks people give her are not flattering when she tells them she's a breast milk donor, said Barbara Scott, 31.
"People give me funny looks," Scott said. "But, it's a lot like donating blood. It's foreign if you're not used to it. There are a lot of people that don't know about it. They think it's strange."
But moms like Scott are not uncommon, said Kim Updegrove, clinical coordinator of the Mother's Milk Bank at Austin. In 2005, there were 327 donors approved to donate their breast milk.
Driscoll Children's Hospital officials are hoping to add more donor moms.
The hospital's lactation center, Mom's Place, became the state's newest breast milk collection site last week, said Laurie Beck, Driscoll's lactation program coordinator. There are nine other sites, including San Antonio, Houston and Fort Worth, Updegrove said.
"Donors have an easier time donating their milk, and it takes the burden off the mom," Updegrove said.
Before, donors would have to send their milk overnight on dry ice to Austin; now they can drop it off and have Driscoll pay the postage, Updegrove said.
Donated milk goes to a variety of babies, some who have been adopted, whose mothers have died, can't for medical reasons or find it difficult, Beck said.
Scott said she was encouraged to donate after reading an article about a breast cancer survivor who had a double mastectomy.
click to read more...
The looks people give her are not flattering when she tells them she's a breast milk donor, said Barbara Scott, 31.
"People give me funny looks," Scott said. "But, it's a lot like donating blood. It's foreign if you're not used to it. There are a lot of people that don't know about it. They think it's strange."
But moms like Scott are not uncommon, said Kim Updegrove, clinical coordinator of the Mother's Milk Bank at Austin. In 2005, there were 327 donors approved to donate their breast milk.
Driscoll Children's Hospital officials are hoping to add more donor moms.
The hospital's lactation center, Mom's Place, became the state's newest breast milk collection site last week, said Laurie Beck, Driscoll's lactation program coordinator. There are nine other sites, including San Antonio, Houston and Fort Worth, Updegrove said.
"Donors have an easier time donating their milk, and it takes the burden off the mom," Updegrove said.
Before, donors would have to send their milk overnight on dry ice to Austin; now they can drop it off and have Driscoll pay the postage, Updegrove said.
Donated milk goes to a variety of babies, some who have been adopted, whose mothers have died, can't for medical reasons or find it difficult, Beck said.
Scott said she was encouraged to donate after reading an article about a breast cancer survivor who had a double mastectomy.
click to read more...
Monday, December 19, 2005
Baby, we were born to breast-feed? (Salon.com Life | Broadsheet)
While checking out Shakespeare's Sister this weekend, I noticed her entry on a San Diego roadside billboard that reads "Babies were born to be breastfed."
That's a pretty strong statement, and Shakespeare's Sister smartly wonders whether "making women feel guilty for not breastfeeding" is the way to go.
But what I wondered is why the Web address on the billboard didn't lead to the La Leche League but, rather, to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.
click to read more...
That's a pretty strong statement, and Shakespeare's Sister smartly wonders whether "making women feel guilty for not breastfeeding" is the way to go.
But what I wondered is why the Web address on the billboard didn't lead to the La Leche League but, rather, to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.
click to read more...
Sunday, December 18, 2005
Do you find breastfeeding offensive? (Independent Online)
Do you find breastfeeding offensive?
If you do, tough. New laws will make breastfeeding in public every mother's right.
The National Gallery has nearly 50 paintings and portraits featuring bare breasts on its walls, including a Tintoretto entitled Origin of the Milky Way.
But when Catherine Gulati settled discreetly into a corner to breastfeed her 11-month-old baby during a visit to the gallery last year, she was ordered by an attendant to stop. Now that the notion of breast is best is accepted wisdom, Parliament is considering changing the law to make it illegal to prevent a mother from feeding her child in public.
Ministers are preparing to follow the example of Scotland, where the law was changed last year, and legislate for the right of women to breastfeed their babies in a public place.
The legal change would cover all public spaces, from parks to shopping malls and even shops. But Parliament - including the House of Commons chamber - would not be covered by the law because it is a Royal Palace.
The rethink by ministers follows an outcry over women who have been prevented from feeding their babies by restaurateurs, policemen and members of the public. Even some doctors' surgeries have banned breastfeeding in their waiting rooms. Pro-breastfeeding groups, including the National Childbirth Trust, say that the anxiety about being stopped in public is putting many mothers off - and encouraging them to bottle-feed instead.
click to read more...
If you do, tough. New laws will make breastfeeding in public every mother's right.
The National Gallery has nearly 50 paintings and portraits featuring bare breasts on its walls, including a Tintoretto entitled Origin of the Milky Way.
But when Catherine Gulati settled discreetly into a corner to breastfeed her 11-month-old baby during a visit to the gallery last year, she was ordered by an attendant to stop. Now that the notion of breast is best is accepted wisdom, Parliament is considering changing the law to make it illegal to prevent a mother from feeding her child in public.
Ministers are preparing to follow the example of Scotland, where the law was changed last year, and legislate for the right of women to breastfeed their babies in a public place.
The legal change would cover all public spaces, from parks to shopping malls and even shops. But Parliament - including the House of Commons chamber - would not be covered by the law because it is a Royal Palace.
The rethink by ministers follows an outcry over women who have been prevented from feeding their babies by restaurateurs, policemen and members of the public. Even some doctors' surgeries have banned breastfeeding in their waiting rooms. Pro-breastfeeding groups, including the National Childbirth Trust, say that the anxiety about being stopped in public is putting many mothers off - and encouraging them to bottle-feed instead.
click to read more...
Wednesday, December 14, 2005
Breast-feeding woman alleges run-in with airline employee (The Eureka Reporter)
A local mother flying home after a visit with family last week was allegedly told to stop nursing her baby out of consideration for the other passengers on the plane. The flight attendant defended her request by claiming it was “company policy.”
On Dec. 4 Eureka resident K.K. Tetrault, 31, began nursing her 7-month-old son Ronan during takeoff from the Fresno Yosemite International Airport on a United Express flight operated by SkyWest Inc., headed to San Francisco, a flight which would later connect her to one bound for the Arcata-Eureka Airport.
“I was already a little uncomfortable, but what else was I to do?” Tetrault said. “My baby was tired, hungry and ready to go to sleep.”
According to Tetrault, the flight attendant approached her after the plane stabilized and it was safe to do so.
“‘I am going to have to ask you as a courtesy to others and to those around you to please stop nursing and wait until we land and get to the terminal,’” Tetrault said the flight attendant whispered in her ear.
click to read more...
On Dec. 4 Eureka resident K.K. Tetrault, 31, began nursing her 7-month-old son Ronan during takeoff from the Fresno Yosemite International Airport on a United Express flight operated by SkyWest Inc., headed to San Francisco, a flight which would later connect her to one bound for the Arcata-Eureka Airport.
“I was already a little uncomfortable, but what else was I to do?” Tetrault said. “My baby was tired, hungry and ready to go to sleep.”
According to Tetrault, the flight attendant approached her after the plane stabilized and it was safe to do so.
“‘I am going to have to ask you as a courtesy to others and to those around you to please stop nursing and wait until we land and get to the terminal,’” Tetrault said the flight attendant whispered in her ear.
click to read more...
Tuesday, December 06, 2005
Bill would allow public breast-feeding (The State)
Melissa Senf of Lexington has breast-fed her children in a lot of public places — on the Metro and at the Smithsonian Institute in Washington, D.C., in synagogues, churches and elsewhere.
It’s little wonder she stands firmly behind a bill that would protect a woman’s right to breast-feed a child in public places in South Carolina.
“That’s very important for me,” said Senf, 31, a mother of three. “The emotions of new moms and the powerful message this bill could send would show that (breast-feeding) is protected and valued and, indeed, encouraged.”
A rash of confrontations this year in the Palmetto State — mostly between breast-feeding moms and retailers — has drawn a spotlight to public breast-feeding and eventually sparked proposed legislation.
click to read more....
It’s little wonder she stands firmly behind a bill that would protect a woman’s right to breast-feed a child in public places in South Carolina.
“That’s very important for me,” said Senf, 31, a mother of three. “The emotions of new moms and the powerful message this bill could send would show that (breast-feeding) is protected and valued and, indeed, encouraged.”
A rash of confrontations this year in the Palmetto State — mostly between breast-feeding moms and retailers — has drawn a spotlight to public breast-feeding and eventually sparked proposed legislation.
click to read more....
Monday, December 05, 2005
I'm worried that my tattoo will rule out breastfeeding (The Herald)
Is it healthy for my baby to breastfeed after I have had
a tattoo?
If your tattoo was present before you became pregnant then breastfeeding is safe and to be encouraged. It provides all the nutrition the baby needs in the early weeks and months and passes on antibodies to help it fight and prevent infection.
click to read more...
a tattoo?
If your tattoo was present before you became pregnant then breastfeeding is safe and to be encouraged. It provides all the nutrition the baby needs in the early weeks and months and passes on antibodies to help it fight and prevent infection.
click to read more...
Women in US need more breastfeeding support - Yahoo! News
NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - A number of factors influence whether a women will give up breastfeeding before the baby can derive any health benefits from it, new research suggests -- but with more encouragement and help many more women might persevere.
Numerous studies have documented the health benefits of breastfeeding for the infant, such as a decreased risk of upper respiratory infections and possibly even a reduced risk of dying. Still, many women forgo breastfeeding altogether or stop it after just a few days or weeks, despite recommendations that a few months of breastfeeding is needed to see a benefit.
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Numerous studies have documented the health benefits of breastfeeding for the infant, such as a decreased risk of upper respiratory infections and possibly even a reduced risk of dying. Still, many women forgo breastfeeding altogether or stop it after just a few days or weeks, despite recommendations that a few months of breastfeeding is needed to see a benefit.
click to read more...
Saturday, December 03, 2005
NewsTrack - Mom says border agent made her lactate (United Press International)
SAN YSIDRO, Calif., Dec. 2 (UPI) -- A young woman says an immigration agent on the border between Mexico and California forced her to lactate to prove that the baby she carried was hers.
Zayra Cano, 18, whose legal residence is in San Ysidro, Calif., was returning from Tijuana with her parents, her fiance and the baby, the San Diego Union-Tribune reported.
click to read more...
Zayra Cano, 18, whose legal residence is in San Ysidro, Calif., was returning from Tijuana with her parents, her fiance and the baby, the San Diego Union-Tribune reported.
click to read more...
Kate Hudson: Kate Hudson's public breast-feeding
Kate Hudson admits she breastfed her son in front of the director when filming 'The Skeleton Key'.
click to read more...
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Tuesday, November 29, 2005
Season of Sharing: Mothers' Milk Bank (News 8 Austin)
One vital thing for premature babies to survive is human milk.
Their birth mothers aren't always able to provide the milk so they rely on breast milk from other women.
News 8 Austin's Paul Brown spoke with April Rudge of the Mothers' Milk Bank.
click to read more...
Their birth mothers aren't always able to provide the milk so they rely on breast milk from other women.
News 8 Austin's Paul Brown spoke with April Rudge of the Mothers' Milk Bank.
click to read more...
Raleigh Milk Bank An Option For Mothers (WXII12.com)
RALEIGH, N.C. -- Breast milk is called "liquid gold" by mothers who say it's the best first gift you can give your child.
But what about the mothers who can't produce milk or who adopt a child? They have another option -- buying breast milk -- and there's only one place in North Carolina that provides it.
Wake Med's Mothers Milk Bank in Raleigh receives coolers full of breast milk donated by women from all over the county.
"It's donation only. We don't pay our donors," said Margie Mould, a certified lactation consultant at the bank. "Just like the donation of blood."
click to read more...
But what about the mothers who can't produce milk or who adopt a child? They have another option -- buying breast milk -- and there's only one place in North Carolina that provides it.
Wake Med's Mothers Milk Bank in Raleigh receives coolers full of breast milk donated by women from all over the county.
"It's donation only. We don't pay our donors," said Margie Mould, a certified lactation consultant at the bank. "Just like the donation of blood."
click to read more...
Breastfeeding critical to children's health in some countries hard hit by HIV (Medical News Today)
Breastfed infants who are forced to wean before their second birthday in developing countries face a high risk of death, a particular concern given the high HIV rates in sub-Saharan Africa.
According to a study of 12,208 children born between 1988 and 1997 in rural Senegal, less than 1 percent of the children were weaned before 15 months of age. The main reasons for weaning were a mother's death or new pregnancy.
More than one in four of the children weaned before 15 months died before their second birthday, according to the study. Other recent studies have shown the importance of breastfeeding in the health of sub-Saharan African infants and children.
click to read more...
According to a study of 12,208 children born between 1988 and 1997 in rural Senegal, less than 1 percent of the children were weaned before 15 months of age. The main reasons for weaning were a mother's death or new pregnancy.
More than one in four of the children weaned before 15 months died before their second birthday, according to the study. Other recent studies have shown the importance of breastfeeding in the health of sub-Saharan African infants and children.
click to read more...
Monday, November 28, 2005
Nothing to hide (commercialappeal.com)
When the child is hungry, feed him, these women argue. Yes, even in public.
It was just after noon on an unseasonably warm Sunday in November and Overton Park was starting to fill up as the mother and toddler settled on a shaded bench.
Behind them vehicles streamed down the hill past the Memphis Brooks Museum of Art heading toward the zoo.
About six feet in front of them, a half dozen patrons filtered up the sidewalk toward the museum entrance. The mother consulted briefly with a photographer who was trailing her for a photo project, then a few seconds later she was nursing her son.
During the next half hour, Amber Parmley would photograph Christi Stavely breast feeding her 17-month-old son Brent on that park bench, in a garden tucked beside the museum's original
entrance and near the stone lions flanking the steps leading to the museum.
click to read more...
It was just after noon on an unseasonably warm Sunday in November and Overton Park was starting to fill up as the mother and toddler settled on a shaded bench.
Behind them vehicles streamed down the hill past the Memphis Brooks Museum of Art heading toward the zoo.
About six feet in front of them, a half dozen patrons filtered up the sidewalk toward the museum entrance. The mother consulted briefly with a photographer who was trailing her for a photo project, then a few seconds later she was nursing her son.
During the next half hour, Amber Parmley would photograph Christi Stavely breast feeding her 17-month-old son Brent on that park bench, in a garden tucked beside the museum's original
entrance and near the stone lions flanking the steps leading to the museum.
click to read more...
Wednesday, November 23, 2005
Study says breast-feeding might help prevent diabetes in mothers (Boston.com)
CHICAGO --Breast-feeding is thought to protect babies from developing diabetes. Now research suggests it might even help keep their mothers from getting the disease, too.
The findings are far from conclusive, but the researchers say breast-feeding may change mothers' metabolism in ways that make the possible connection plausible.
These metabolic changes may help keep blood sugar levels stable and make the body more sensitive to the blood sugar-regulating hormone insulin, said Dr. Alison Stuebe, the study's lead author and a researcher at Boston's Brigham and Women's Hospital.
That theory is partly based on evidence in rats and humans showing that breast-feeding mothers had lower blood-sugar levels than those who did not breast-feed.
click to read more...
The findings are far from conclusive, but the researchers say breast-feeding may change mothers' metabolism in ways that make the possible connection plausible.
These metabolic changes may help keep blood sugar levels stable and make the body more sensitive to the blood sugar-regulating hormone insulin, said Dr. Alison Stuebe, the study's lead author and a researcher at Boston's Brigham and Women's Hospital.
That theory is partly based on evidence in rats and humans showing that breast-feeding mothers had lower blood-sugar levels than those who did not breast-feed.
click to read more...
Tuesday, November 22, 2005
Breastfeeding saves lives of babies, UN says (CTV.ca)
GENEVA — Breastfeeding is saving the lives of 6 million babies a year, but more than twice that could be saved if more mothers would use the time-honoured method, the UN children's agency said Tuesday.
Thirty-nine per cent of infants in developing countries are exclusively breast fed, UNICEF said, blaming "lack of awareness amongst mothers, and lack of support from health workers and communities."
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Thirty-nine per cent of infants in developing countries are exclusively breast fed, UNICEF said, blaming "lack of awareness amongst mothers, and lack of support from health workers and communities."
click to read more...
Monday, November 21, 2005
Senate hearing shatters myths on breastfeeding (Manila Standard Today)
Who says the rich and famous do not breastfeed their babies?
Movie star Sharon Cuneta, Senator Pia Cayetano and lawyer Katrina Legarda are among the prominent people who practice or have practiced breastfeeding. And their profession didn’t prevent them from doing that admirable task.
Cuneta’s husband, Senator Francisco Pangilinan, a self-confessed member of union of husbands afraid of their wives has revealed that the megastar breastfed their daughter Miel for seven months.
Cayetano, for her part, confessed that she had a child who lived longer than expected because she breastfed him.
Legarda had also a touching story. During court hearings, she would beg the judge to call a recess if it was time for her to breastfeed her baby, and that of her sister, who met an accident and had to be hospitalized.
click to read more...
Movie star Sharon Cuneta, Senator Pia Cayetano and lawyer Katrina Legarda are among the prominent people who practice or have practiced breastfeeding. And their profession didn’t prevent them from doing that admirable task.
Cuneta’s husband, Senator Francisco Pangilinan, a self-confessed member of union of husbands afraid of their wives has revealed that the megastar breastfed their daughter Miel for seven months.
Cayetano, for her part, confessed that she had a child who lived longer than expected because she breastfed him.
Legarda had also a touching story. During court hearings, she would beg the judge to call a recess if it was time for her to breastfeed her baby, and that of her sister, who met an accident and had to be hospitalized.
click to read more...
Donor breast milk offers wholesome option (DesMoinesRegister.com)
Iowa City, Ia. — Ann Tvedte needed special help when her twins, Karina and Matthew, were born six weeks early.
She had not yet started to produce breast milk, but she and her husband, John, wanted to provide their newborns with the benefits of a mother's milk.
Help arrived in 4-ounce bottles of donated breast milk from the Mothers' Milk Bank of Iowa. "It really counteracted the fact that they were premature," Ann Tvedte said.
Pediatricians and lactation specialists agree a mother's breast milk is the best food for her baby. When a mother's milk isn't available, donated breast milk can nourish a baby and protect the immune system better than formula, said Jean Drulis, founder and director of the Mothers' Milk Bank of Iowa.
click to read more...
She had not yet started to produce breast milk, but she and her husband, John, wanted to provide their newborns with the benefits of a mother's milk.
Help arrived in 4-ounce bottles of donated breast milk from the Mothers' Milk Bank of Iowa. "It really counteracted the fact that they were premature," Ann Tvedte said.
Pediatricians and lactation specialists agree a mother's breast milk is the best food for her baby. When a mother's milk isn't available, donated breast milk can nourish a baby and protect the immune system better than formula, said Jean Drulis, founder and director of the Mothers' Milk Bank of Iowa.
click to read more...
Breastfeeding mum's upset at complaint (Norfolk Eastern Daily Press)
A young mother today spoke of her embarrassment and anger at being stopped in the street by a Norfolk policeman because she had been breastfeeding her baby.
New mum Margaret Boyle-White had been to the post office in Watton high street with baby Naihm when the girl started crying. So she went outside, found a bench where it was relatively quiet, and gave her daughter a quick feed to comfort before making the long walk back to their home in Harris Road.
But they hadn't even left the town centre when a police car pulled up, a police officer got out, confronted Mrs Boyle-White, and told her they had received a complaint from a member of the public.
Although she had done nothing wrong, he implied that her behaviour had been unacceptable.
His actions left Mrs Boyle-White, a first-time mum, shocked and upset and it is only now, five months after the incident in June, that she has felt able to speak out in the hope that no other young mum will be humiliated in this way.
click to read more...
New mum Margaret Boyle-White had been to the post office in Watton high street with baby Naihm when the girl started crying. So she went outside, found a bench where it was relatively quiet, and gave her daughter a quick feed to comfort before making the long walk back to their home in Harris Road.
But they hadn't even left the town centre when a police car pulled up, a police officer got out, confronted Mrs Boyle-White, and told her they had received a complaint from a member of the public.
Although she had done nothing wrong, he implied that her behaviour had been unacceptable.
His actions left Mrs Boyle-White, a first-time mum, shocked and upset and it is only now, five months after the incident in June, that she has felt able to speak out in the hope that no other young mum will be humiliated in this way.
click to read more...
Friday, November 18, 2005
Mothers' effort brings results at some stores (The Post and Courier)
MOUNT PLEASANT - They were angry, they had hungry babies, and they had buying power.
The mothers who convened for a "nurse-in" at Towne Centre in June meant business, and now, in the absence of a state law to protect moms nursing in public, one local company is offering them a safe, comfortable place to feed their babies while shopping in area malls.
The Mother's Lounges unveiled Wednesday at four area Belk department stores, a joint project of Roper St. Francis Healthcare and Belk, are cozy nooks outfitted with cushy rocking chairs and toys for older siblings. Whimsical Winnie the Pooh prints decorate the walls, and the rooms are stocked with information about breast-feeding and places to find lactation support.
Nursing moms in the Lowcountry were galvanized over the summer when Mount Pleasant's Lori Rueger said she was denied use of a dressing room to feed her baby at Victoria's Secret in Towne Centre.
About 25 moms held a "nurse-in" outside the store days later to raise awareness about the benefits of breast-feeding and urged businesses to support nursing mothers.
click to read more...
The mothers who convened for a "nurse-in" at Towne Centre in June meant business, and now, in the absence of a state law to protect moms nursing in public, one local company is offering them a safe, comfortable place to feed their babies while shopping in area malls.
The Mother's Lounges unveiled Wednesday at four area Belk department stores, a joint project of Roper St. Francis Healthcare and Belk, are cozy nooks outfitted with cushy rocking chairs and toys for older siblings. Whimsical Winnie the Pooh prints decorate the walls, and the rooms are stocked with information about breast-feeding and places to find lactation support.
Nursing moms in the Lowcountry were galvanized over the summer when Mount Pleasant's Lori Rueger said she was denied use of a dressing room to feed her baby at Victoria's Secret in Towne Centre.
About 25 moms held a "nurse-in" outside the store days later to raise awareness about the benefits of breast-feeding and urged businesses to support nursing mothers.
click to read more...
Milk bank to help preemies (Fort Wayne Journal Gazzette)
Nearly $14 billion is spent annually in the United States for medical treatment of premature babies, about half the total cost of all hospital charges for infants. And the costs don’t stop at birth.
“There are acute problems for the babies, but there are also lifelong problems, especially for those born less than 32 weeks (gestation),” said obstetrician-gynecologist Dr. Alane Haney-Russell. She was one of several presenters Wednesday at a Prematurity Summit in Fort Wayne sponsored by the March of Dimes.
The best nutrition a baby can have is human milk, according to the American Academy of Pediatrics. Mother’s milk is especially important to preemies, whose fragile neuro-cognitive development is still a work in progress. “With human milk there is improved developmental outcomes,” said Donna Miracle, clinical coordinator of Indiana’s only human milk bank. Research has shown in premature infants, there is a 50 percent lower infection rate in those receiving breast milk rather than formula and a 21 percent lower mortality rate, Miracle said.
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“There are acute problems for the babies, but there are also lifelong problems, especially for those born less than 32 weeks (gestation),” said obstetrician-gynecologist Dr. Alane Haney-Russell. She was one of several presenters Wednesday at a Prematurity Summit in Fort Wayne sponsored by the March of Dimes.
The best nutrition a baby can have is human milk, according to the American Academy of Pediatrics. Mother’s milk is especially important to preemies, whose fragile neuro-cognitive development is still a work in progress. “With human milk there is improved developmental outcomes,” said Donna Miracle, clinical coordinator of Indiana’s only human milk bank. Research has shown in premature infants, there is a 50 percent lower infection rate in those receiving breast milk rather than formula and a 21 percent lower mortality rate, Miracle said.
click to read more...
Breast-Feeding (WMTW.com)
PORTLAND, Maine -- An estimated 71 percent of all women in the U.S. choose to breast-feed -- rather than bottle-feed -- their babies.
Most of those new mothers have no problem making that connection with their babies, but some need help.
Darcee Pantaz gave birth to her third child two weeks ago at Portland’s Mercy Hospital. Like a growing number of moms, she is breast-feeding little Bess.
click to read more...
Most of those new mothers have no problem making that connection with their babies, but some need help.
Darcee Pantaz gave birth to her third child two weeks ago at Portland’s Mercy Hospital. Like a growing number of moms, she is breast-feeding little Bess.
click to read more...
We are coming out of the closet (The Globe and Mail)
Breast is best, according to the Canadian Paediatric Society. So when my son was born on March 2, I embraced the advice of my pediatrician. About two minutes after his birth, I began breastfeeding. However, I would soon find out that good medical advice does not always match up with common social practices.
It was a bit awkward at first. I'm not an exhibitionist by nature. But the benefits of breast milk were a good incentive: strengthened immunity against infections and allergies, optimal brain development and guaranteed creature comfort for newborns, just to name a few. And I, too, wanted to enjoy the health benefits: breastfeeding meant that my uterus contracted back to size quickly after birth and that I would have better protection against breast cancer, a disease that my mother has had to fight off.
Breastfeeding is a personal choice and I'm not judgmental about it: It's a mother's prerogative whether or not to do it, and sometimes it's just not possible. In my case, my milk came in and I decided to breastfeed -- embarking on the second greatest challenge of motherhood, after childbirth.
click to read more...
It was a bit awkward at first. I'm not an exhibitionist by nature. But the benefits of breast milk were a good incentive: strengthened immunity against infections and allergies, optimal brain development and guaranteed creature comfort for newborns, just to name a few. And I, too, wanted to enjoy the health benefits: breastfeeding meant that my uterus contracted back to size quickly after birth and that I would have better protection against breast cancer, a disease that my mother has had to fight off.
Breastfeeding is a personal choice and I'm not judgmental about it: It's a mother's prerogative whether or not to do it, and sometimes it's just not possible. In my case, my milk came in and I decided to breastfeed -- embarking on the second greatest challenge of motherhood, after childbirth.
click to read more...
Petition to save breastfeeding clinic fails to reverse decision on closing it (The Globe and Mail)
When Esther Goldstein launched her battle to save a renowned North York breastfeeding clinic two weeks ago, she opened a new inbox on her home computer.
Today, that inbox has been flooded with nearly 2,000 e-mails -- signatures and letters of support for the outpatient clinic that is run out of North York General Hospital by celebrated breastfeeding expert Jack Newman.
"The affirmations that are coming through are incredible. I don't know anybody that could derive this kind of support in such a short period of time," said Ms. Goldstein, a former patient. "I'm in awe."
Yesterday, she added another 125 signatures to her petition, which has grown to 90 pages.
Despite the surge of support, which has also come in from former patients living in Europe and the United States, Glenn Berall, chief of pediatrics at North York General, said the hospital hasn't changed its decision to close the clinic.
click to read more...
Today, that inbox has been flooded with nearly 2,000 e-mails -- signatures and letters of support for the outpatient clinic that is run out of North York General Hospital by celebrated breastfeeding expert Jack Newman.
"The affirmations that are coming through are incredible. I don't know anybody that could derive this kind of support in such a short period of time," said Ms. Goldstein, a former patient. "I'm in awe."
Yesterday, she added another 125 signatures to her petition, which has grown to 90 pages.
Despite the surge of support, which has also come in from former patients living in Europe and the United States, Glenn Berall, chief of pediatrics at North York General, said the hospital hasn't changed its decision to close the clinic.
click to read more...
Denogean: Let’s nip this breast law thing right away (Tucson Citizen)
It's hard to take people who refer to themselves as "lactivists" seriously.
But the current chichi cause - bilingual pun intended - seems to be breast-feeding.
A breast-feeding brouhaha in Chandler recently ended with the passage of an ordinance allowing women to breast-feed anywhere they are otherwise authorized to be. The Tempe and Flagstaff councils have said they will consider similar ordinances.
The Tucson City Council is expected to soon consider an ordinance authorizing nursing on all private property. On Nov. 1, it approved a policy allowing women to breast-feed on city property.
"It's a very sad statement that women's rights aren't being protected," Chandra Ruiz, a self-proclaimed "lactivist," told the council.
She and others plan to fight until it is legal to breast-feed anywhere and everywhere.
Never mind that such ordinances may not even be enforceable.
Michael House, Chandler city attorney, advised that city's council before passage of the ordinance that private property owners have a well-established right to exclude people from their premises for whatever reason, short of violation of civil rights laws. That includes the right to regulate conduct, he said.
That noted, of all the frothy matters the council could spend its time on, this one strikes me as the cream of the ridiculous crop.
Breast-feeding isn't a political statement in need of government validation. It's a natural act in need of regulation only by common sense and common decency.
click to read more...
But the current chichi cause - bilingual pun intended - seems to be breast-feeding.
A breast-feeding brouhaha in Chandler recently ended with the passage of an ordinance allowing women to breast-feed anywhere they are otherwise authorized to be. The Tempe and Flagstaff councils have said they will consider similar ordinances.
The Tucson City Council is expected to soon consider an ordinance authorizing nursing on all private property. On Nov. 1, it approved a policy allowing women to breast-feed on city property.
"It's a very sad statement that women's rights aren't being protected," Chandra Ruiz, a self-proclaimed "lactivist," told the council.
She and others plan to fight until it is legal to breast-feed anywhere and everywhere.
Never mind that such ordinances may not even be enforceable.
Michael House, Chandler city attorney, advised that city's council before passage of the ordinance that private property owners have a well-established right to exclude people from their premises for whatever reason, short of violation of civil rights laws. That includes the right to regulate conduct, he said.
That noted, of all the frothy matters the council could spend its time on, this one strikes me as the cream of the ridiculous crop.
Breast-feeding isn't a political statement in need of government validation. It's a natural act in need of regulation only by common sense and common decency.
click to read more...
Wednesday, November 16, 2005
Fight for your right to breastfeed (Pregnancy & Baby)
When Ola, a thirty-two-year-old artist from New York City's Washington Heights neighborhood, describes herself as "stubborn," there's a hint of pride in her voice. If she weren't so stubborn, she says, she would've given up on breastfeeding early on.
Ola's family were not breastfeeders. In fact, until she met her partner, and he explained that his mother breastfed him, she had barely even realized that babies could be fed from their mothers' breasts.
"I know it sounds crazy, but I didn't know anything about breastfeeding at all until I was pregnant," Ola says. "I didn't know people who did it. I honestly didn't know that you could feed your child without using milk or formula because I'd never seen it. It never happened in my family."
During her pregnancy, Ola read everything she could find about childrearing. While the experts had different perspectives on temper tantrums, teething, and the terrible twos, they all agreed on one thing: Breast milk is the best food for infants. The idea that her body could provide all the food her baby needed in the first months of life was a revelation for Ola. The idea of giving the milk from her breasts to her child made her feel powerful, like she possessed a hidden talent that she'd never even realized.
"As I got more and more pregnant and my breasts started filling up with the milk, I thought, 'This is great'" Ola recalls. "Once I realized that this was something I could do, something that I was meant to do even, there was absolutely no turning back."
click to read more...
Ola's family were not breastfeeders. In fact, until she met her partner, and he explained that his mother breastfed him, she had barely even realized that babies could be fed from their mothers' breasts.
"I know it sounds crazy, but I didn't know anything about breastfeeding at all until I was pregnant," Ola says. "I didn't know people who did it. I honestly didn't know that you could feed your child without using milk or formula because I'd never seen it. It never happened in my family."
During her pregnancy, Ola read everything she could find about childrearing. While the experts had different perspectives on temper tantrums, teething, and the terrible twos, they all agreed on one thing: Breast milk is the best food for infants. The idea that her body could provide all the food her baby needed in the first months of life was a revelation for Ola. The idea of giving the milk from her breasts to her child made her feel powerful, like she possessed a hidden talent that she'd never even realized.
"As I got more and more pregnant and my breasts started filling up with the milk, I thought, 'This is great'" Ola recalls. "Once I realized that this was something I could do, something that I was meant to do even, there was absolutely no turning back."
click to read more...
Breastfeeding support center opens in Chico (Chico Enterprise Record)
The two families have just heard some good news. Their babies — both of whom depend entirely on their moms for nourishment — are continuing to gain weight.
Being placed on a scale is the first order of business for the babies when they and their families visit the Breastfeeding Support Center, which opened last week on Mangrove Avenue in Chico.
What happens next depends on the needs of the baby and the concerns of the family. Registered lactation consultant Lorna Humphreys is ready to give advice, recommend products and offer encouragement.
click to read more...
Being placed on a scale is the first order of business for the babies when they and their families visit the Breastfeeding Support Center, which opened last week on Mangrove Avenue in Chico.
What happens next depends on the needs of the baby and the concerns of the family. Registered lactation consultant Lorna Humphreys is ready to give advice, recommend products and offer encouragement.
click to read more...
Breastfeeding fights gluten intolerance or celiac disease (FoodConsumer.org)
Breastfeeding may protect children against gluten intolerance, known as celiac disease (CD), according to a review article published in the Archives of Disease in Childhood.
"CD is a disorder of small bowel malabsorption. It is characterized by mucosal inflammation, villous atrophy, and crypt hyperplasia, which occur upon exposure to gluten, and clinical and histological improvement with withdrawal of gluten from the diet," according to the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ).
CD, also known as celiac sprue, gluten-sensitive enteropathy, non-tropical sprue, among others, is believed to result from the activation of both a cell-mediated (T-cell) and humoral (B-cell) immune response upon exposure to glutens (prolamins and glutenins) found in wheat, barley, rye, and oats, in a genetically susceptible person, according to the AHRQ.
For the study, researchers reviewed six out of 15 studies published between 1996 and 2004. The six selected studies matched the criteria set by the researchers.
The analysis of more than 900 children with CD and almost 3,500 healthy children showed the duration of breastfeeding was inversely associated with the risk of gluten intolerance. The longer a child was breastfed; the lower was his risk of the condition.
click to read more...
"CD is a disorder of small bowel malabsorption. It is characterized by mucosal inflammation, villous atrophy, and crypt hyperplasia, which occur upon exposure to gluten, and clinical and histological improvement with withdrawal of gluten from the diet," according to the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ).
CD, also known as celiac sprue, gluten-sensitive enteropathy, non-tropical sprue, among others, is believed to result from the activation of both a cell-mediated (T-cell) and humoral (B-cell) immune response upon exposure to glutens (prolamins and glutenins) found in wheat, barley, rye, and oats, in a genetically susceptible person, according to the AHRQ.
For the study, researchers reviewed six out of 15 studies published between 1996 and 2004. The six selected studies matched the criteria set by the researchers.
The analysis of more than 900 children with CD and almost 3,500 healthy children showed the duration of breastfeeding was inversely associated with the risk of gluten intolerance. The longer a child was breastfed; the lower was his risk of the condition.
click to read more...
Abbott Labs Wails About Ruling on Baby Formula Ads (BrandWeek)
NEW YORK -- A unit of Abbott Laboratories made a stinging response on Tuesday to a decision by the National Advertising Review Board that condemned its advertising for Similac Advance baby formula.
The NARB said the Abbott unit's advertising was “confusing at best” and wrongly gave consumers the impression that Similac boosted babies' immune systems.
click to read more...
The NARB said the Abbott unit's advertising was “confusing at best” and wrongly gave consumers the impression that Similac boosted babies' immune systems.
click to read more...
Got milk? When babies ask, moms answer, and it should be legal (The Arizona Republic)
Natural.
Healthful.
Wholesome.
Personal.
Breast-feeding.
Few would say that government has any business interfering in the close and nurturing relationship between a mother and the baby she nurses.
But some are suggesting the Legislature needs to step into just this tender territory.
And they are right.
click to read more...
Healthful.
Wholesome.
Personal.
Breast-feeding.
Few would say that government has any business interfering in the close and nurturing relationship between a mother and the baby she nurses.
But some are suggesting the Legislature needs to step into just this tender territory.
And they are right.
click to read more...
A mother's hero, a 'thorn' in hospital's side (The Globe and Mail)
When Johanna Heselmann Wong tries to bottle-feed her eight-week-old son Jacob, the infant chokes and throws up.
Like many babies, he hasn't developed the co-ordination needed to feed smoothly.
"It's not a happy situation right now," Ms. Heselmann Wong said yesterday. "His health is so fragile."
That's why she sought the help of Jack Newman, a pediatrician and breastfeeding expert who runs a clinic at the North York General Hospital. Dr. Newman is widely celebrated for his ability to teach babies how to breastfeed successfully.
If Jacob -- who has two holes in his heart, which will require him to undergo a 10-hour operation -- can't learn how to nurse, doctors may be forced to implant a feeding tube into his tiny stomach.
It's a painful and invasive procedure that his mother wants to avoid.
However, the hospital is closing Dr. Newman's clinic -- meaning patients like Ms. Heselmann Wong could lose access to the world-renowned specialist.
click to read more...
Like many babies, he hasn't developed the co-ordination needed to feed smoothly.
"It's not a happy situation right now," Ms. Heselmann Wong said yesterday. "His health is so fragile."
That's why she sought the help of Jack Newman, a pediatrician and breastfeeding expert who runs a clinic at the North York General Hospital. Dr. Newman is widely celebrated for his ability to teach babies how to breastfeed successfully.
If Jacob -- who has two holes in his heart, which will require him to undergo a 10-hour operation -- can't learn how to nurse, doctors may be forced to implant a feeding tube into his tiny stomach.
It's a painful and invasive procedure that his mother wants to avoid.
However, the hospital is closing Dr. Newman's clinic -- meaning patients like Ms. Heselmann Wong could lose access to the world-renowned specialist.
click to read more...
Monday, November 07, 2005
Bill to let mothers breastfeed in public (Anderson Independent Mail)
South Carolina may soon join 38 other states that allow breastfeeding mothers to nurse their children in public places.
State Rep. Chip Limehouse, R-Charleston, said he is planning to introduce a bill that is modeled after Georgia legislation that permits breastfeeding in any location where the mother and child are otherwise authorized to be. The Legislature will reconvene in January.
Spartanburg residents can learn more about the bill and hear from a panel of medical experts Monday at the Westside Spartanburg County Public Library.
The event is sponsored by the South Carolina Breastfeeding Coalition, which is holding various town meetings throughout the state to educate residents about the issue.
"South Carolina is one of 12 states that don’t protect these rights," said Charleston’s Lin Cook, a childbirth educator and breastfeeding counselor serving on the SCBC committee.
click to read more...
State Rep. Chip Limehouse, R-Charleston, said he is planning to introduce a bill that is modeled after Georgia legislation that permits breastfeeding in any location where the mother and child are otherwise authorized to be. The Legislature will reconvene in January.
Spartanburg residents can learn more about the bill and hear from a panel of medical experts Monday at the Westside Spartanburg County Public Library.
The event is sponsored by the South Carolina Breastfeeding Coalition, which is holding various town meetings throughout the state to educate residents about the issue.
"South Carolina is one of 12 states that don’t protect these rights," said Charleston’s Lin Cook, a childbirth educator and breastfeeding counselor serving on the SCBC committee.
click to read more...
Group says mothers have the right to breast-feed in public (TaiwanHeadlines)
More than a dozen mothers breast-fed their babies outside the Taipei Story House on Sunday to send a message to the gallery, as well as society, that mothers should be allowed to breast-feed their babies wherever they want, be it in public or in the workplace.
The women were part of a group of 30 mothers gathered by the Taiwan Breastfeeding Association for a picnic-like event on the plaza between the Taipei Fine Arts Museum and the Taipei Story House, a Tudor-style brick resort house built by a tea merchant in 1914 that now functions as a gallery and restaurant.
The group chose the location after the restaurant kicked out five mothers who were breastfeeding on the premises last month in the name of "maintaining the place's decency and professionalism."
click to read more...
The women were part of a group of 30 mothers gathered by the Taiwan Breastfeeding Association for a picnic-like event on the plaza between the Taipei Fine Arts Museum and the Taipei Story House, a Tudor-style brick resort house built by a tea merchant in 1914 that now functions as a gallery and restaurant.
The group chose the location after the restaurant kicked out five mothers who were breastfeeding on the premises last month in the name of "maintaining the place's decency and professionalism."
click to read more...
Group says mothers have the right to breast-feed in public (TaiwanHeadlines)
More than a dozen mothers breast-fed their babies outside the Taipei Story House on Sunday to send a message to the gallery, as well as society, that mothers should be allowed to breast-feed their babies wherever they want, be it in public or in the workplace.
The women were part of a group of 30 mothers gathered by the Taiwan Breastfeeding Association for a picnic-like event on the plaza between the Taipei Fine Arts Museum and the Taipei Story House, a Tudor-style brick resort house built by a tea merchant in 1914 that now functions as a gallery and restaurant.
The group chose the location after the restaurant kicked out five mothers who were breastfeeding on the premises last month in the name of "maintaining the place's decency and professionalism."
click to read more...
The women were part of a group of 30 mothers gathered by the Taiwan Breastfeeding Association for a picnic-like event on the plaza between the Taipei Fine Arts Museum and the Taipei Story House, a Tudor-style brick resort house built by a tea merchant in 1914 that now functions as a gallery and restaurant.
The group chose the location after the restaurant kicked out five mothers who were breastfeeding on the premises last month in the name of "maintaining the place's decency and professionalism."
click to read more...
It's natural, healthy -- and it's law (San Francisco Chronicle)
How would you feel if your child's lunch or dinner was prepared in a bathroom?
That's exactly how some working new mothers feel when they are directed to the nearest bathroom whenever they have to pump milk from their breasts to prepare their newborn's next meal.
Over the years, breast-feeding has gained such popularity that lawmakers are increasingly recognizing a mother's right -- in essence her need -- to express milk wherever and whenever she needs to do it.
In California, a law adopted two years ago requires employers to provide a space -- other than a bathroom -- where nursing mothers can pump milk in privacy, though such areas are the exception rather than the rule, advocates said. Employers also must provide employees with break time to accomplish the task.
Too often, the law is violated, though more often out of ignorance than contempt.
click to read more...
That's exactly how some working new mothers feel when they are directed to the nearest bathroom whenever they have to pump milk from their breasts to prepare their newborn's next meal.
Over the years, breast-feeding has gained such popularity that lawmakers are increasingly recognizing a mother's right -- in essence her need -- to express milk wherever and whenever she needs to do it.
In California, a law adopted two years ago requires employers to provide a space -- other than a bathroom -- where nursing mothers can pump milk in privacy, though such areas are the exception rather than the rule, advocates said. Employers also must provide employees with break time to accomplish the task.
Too often, the law is violated, though more often out of ignorance than contempt.
click to read more...
Traywick: Beyond breast-friendly (ASU Web Devil)
Chandler's favorite breastfeeding mom has officially brought her fight to Tempe.
After successfully convincing the Chandler City Council to approve an ordinance allowing women to breastfeed wherever "a mother and child are allowed to be," 29-year-old Amy Milliron asked the Tempe City Council to act similarly, and "prove how family-friendly this city is," according to The Arizona Republic.
click to read more...
After successfully convincing the Chandler City Council to approve an ordinance allowing women to breastfeed wherever "a mother and child are allowed to be," 29-year-old Amy Milliron asked the Tempe City Council to act similarly, and "prove how family-friendly this city is," according to The Arizona Republic.
click to read more...
Wednesday, November 02, 2005
Breastfeeding Not a Problem in Tucson (KOLD News 13)
For many women, breastfeeding a child is a rite of motherhood, but Jessica Walden says she's been told she has no right to feed her seven month old son Austin in public.
"Have you ever eaten you dinner in a bathroom stall?” Walden asked.
"Women have been asked to leave pools, women have been asked to breastfeed in bathrooms, women have been asked to leave restaurants and breastfeed in their hot cars in August which is a very dangerous situation, much less sanitary when you're speaking of public bathrooms,” said Chandra Ruiz, a breastfeeding mother who contacted Tucson City Councilman Steve Leal about women being discouraged from breastfeeding in public.
And the council changed that Tuesday night, at least when it comes to city property, after mothers told councilmembers that breastfeeding is nowhere close to indecent exposure.
click to read more...
"Have you ever eaten you dinner in a bathroom stall?” Walden asked.
"Women have been asked to leave pools, women have been asked to breastfeed in bathrooms, women have been asked to leave restaurants and breastfeed in their hot cars in August which is a very dangerous situation, much less sanitary when you're speaking of public bathrooms,” said Chandra Ruiz, a breastfeeding mother who contacted Tucson City Councilman Steve Leal about women being discouraged from breastfeeding in public.
And the council changed that Tuesday night, at least when it comes to city property, after mothers told councilmembers that breastfeeding is nowhere close to indecent exposure.
click to read more...
NUTRITION FROM THE LAB: Don't overlook importance of breast-feeding (Grand Forks Herald)
Millions of us owe our early development in part to Gail Borden's invention of evaporating milk and the resulting famous concoction that was our sole food for the first months of life:
One can (13 fluid ounces) of evaporated cow's milk, 19 fluid ounces of water and 2 tablespoons of corn syrup.
If we survived this simplistic approach to infant nutrition, then why should we consider breast-feeding to be important?
In the 1700s, wet nurses in Europe were chosen for their milk with such care that special agencies were set up to handle their housing needs. By the 1880s, the era of my grandmother's birth, wet nursing had fallen out of favor, and the Sears catalog was offering milk substitutes including a product called "Ridge's Food for Infants" at 65 cents per bottle.
In the "Roaring '20s," the chances of my mother being breast-fed had slipped to 50 percent. Borden's canned product generally had been accepted as being nutritious, relatively inexpensive and free of bacterial contamination. At the same time, hospitals encouraged changes in infant care that greatly reduced the odds a mother would initiate breast-feeding.
By the time my children were born in the early 1970s, only 22 percent of all American infants were breast-fed at birth.
click to read more...
One can (13 fluid ounces) of evaporated cow's milk, 19 fluid ounces of water and 2 tablespoons of corn syrup.
If we survived this simplistic approach to infant nutrition, then why should we consider breast-feeding to be important?
In the 1700s, wet nurses in Europe were chosen for their milk with such care that special agencies were set up to handle their housing needs. By the 1880s, the era of my grandmother's birth, wet nursing had fallen out of favor, and the Sears catalog was offering milk substitutes including a product called "Ridge's Food for Infants" at 65 cents per bottle.
In the "Roaring '20s," the chances of my mother being breast-fed had slipped to 50 percent. Borden's canned product generally had been accepted as being nutritious, relatively inexpensive and free of bacterial contamination. At the same time, hospitals encouraged changes in infant care that greatly reduced the odds a mother would initiate breast-feeding.
By the time my children were born in the early 1970s, only 22 percent of all American infants were breast-fed at birth.
click to read more...
Norwegian women breastfeeding like never before (Aftenposten Norway)
Nursing Norwegian mothers produce over 10 million liters of milk a year, an increase of nearly 20 percent since the mid-90s, according to the first national study of infant nutrition in Norway.
The Directorate of Social and Health Affairs project "Spedkost" (Infant Fare), revealed that 70 percent of Norwegian babies receive mother's milk as their only food for the first three months of their life.
click to read more...
The Directorate of Social and Health Affairs project "Spedkost" (Infant Fare), revealed that 70 percent of Norwegian babies receive mother's milk as their only food for the first three months of their life.
click to read more...
Longer breastfeeding best (Aftenposten Norway)
Experts now recommend that children be breastfed up to the age of two or three because of a range of health benefits.
"A little dash of breast milk works like a daily vaccine," Gro Nylander, doctor at the National Expertise Center for Breastfeeding, told newspaper Adresseavisen.
The national Board of Health advises Norwegian women to breastfeed during the infant's first year, but doctor and researcher Nylander believes this is a moderate recommendation.
click to read more...
"A little dash of breast milk works like a daily vaccine," Gro Nylander, doctor at the National Expertise Center for Breastfeeding, told newspaper Adresseavisen.
The national Board of Health advises Norwegian women to breastfeed during the infant's first year, but doctor and researcher Nylander believes this is a moderate recommendation.
click to read more...
Baby First plan could boost breastfeeding rates (CBC New Brunswick)
A nursing professor at the University of New Brunswick says hospitals need to provide trained staff who can allow babies to be with their mothers 24 hours a day.
Gail Storr says only about 10 per cent of New Brunswick mothers are breastfeeding their babies for six months. She says a new program to improve support at the hospital bedside could boost those numbers and help infants stay healthy longer.
Storr wants New Brunswick hospitals to adopt a Babies First Initiative – an international standard for health-care facilities to provide adequate support for breastfeeding mothers.
"The Baby Friendly Initiative is an initiative of the World Health Organization that's based on evidence to show what will support breastfeeding and there's 10 steps to be followed that will help promote breastfeeding," she said.
click to read more...
Gail Storr says only about 10 per cent of New Brunswick mothers are breastfeeding their babies for six months. She says a new program to improve support at the hospital bedside could boost those numbers and help infants stay healthy longer.
Storr wants New Brunswick hospitals to adopt a Babies First Initiative – an international standard for health-care facilities to provide adequate support for breastfeeding mothers.
"The Baby Friendly Initiative is an initiative of the World Health Organization that's based on evidence to show what will support breastfeeding and there's 10 steps to be followed that will help promote breastfeeding," she said.
click to read more...
Council votes to solidify mothers' right to breast-feed in public (kvoa.com)
TUCSON, Ariz. By a unanimous vote, the Tucson City Council has solidified the right of mothers to breast-fed their babies in public, without being pushed into restrooms or shunted out of view.
The council yesterday approved a motion that voiced support for an administrative directive that will allow women to breast-feed on city property.
click to read more...
The council yesterday approved a motion that voiced support for an administrative directive that will allow women to breast-feed on city property.
click to read more...
Friday, October 28, 2005
Chandler council enacts law allowing moms to breast-feed in public (azcentral.com)
Chandler has become the second city in the nation to enact a breast-feeding law, making it legal in the city for a mother to nurse her child "anywhere a mother and child are allowed to be."
click to read more...
click to read more...
Thursday, October 27, 2005
Tucson to address public breastfeeding debate (AZCentral.com)
TUCSON - The City Council plans to discuss next week whether women have the right to breastfeed anywhere in public.
What the city has offered so far is an administrative directive that protects nursing mothers on all city property.
Next Tuesday, the City Council will discuss the rule and whether the city should go further.
Earlier this year, Chandler drew the ire of nursing moms by drafting a rule that would have fined mothers for trespassing if they would not leave city property after a complaint.
Arizona law doesn't protect or restrict breastfeeding. The problem is the indecent exposure statute.
click to read more...
What the city has offered so far is an administrative directive that protects nursing mothers on all city property.
Next Tuesday, the City Council will discuss the rule and whether the city should go further.
Earlier this year, Chandler drew the ire of nursing moms by drafting a rule that would have fined mothers for trespassing if they would not leave city property after a complaint.
Arizona law doesn't protect or restrict breastfeeding. The problem is the indecent exposure statute.
click to read more...
Breast-feeding law uncertain (The Arizona Republic)
Chandler could become the second city in the nation to enact a breast-feeding law, but that won't happen unless the divided City Council resolves wording disputes before Thursday's vote.
What appears more likely is a resolution proclaiming city support for passage of a state law that would give mothers the right to breast-feed in public and exempt them from indecent-exposure prosecution. Similar laws have been passed in 35 states, but only Philadelphia has a municipal breast-feeding ordinance, said Chandler city Attorney Michael House.
click to read more...
What appears more likely is a resolution proclaiming city support for passage of a state law that would give mothers the right to breast-feed in public and exempt them from indecent-exposure prosecution. Similar laws have been passed in 35 states, but only Philadelphia has a municipal breast-feeding ordinance, said Chandler city Attorney Michael House.
click to read more...
Nursing Mothers' plight shows law must change (The Arizona Daily Star)
It sounds ridiculous, but evidently there are some who cannot tell the difference between a woman breast-feeding her baby and a case of indecent exposure.
The Tucson City Council can clarify the matter by adopting an ordinance that explicitly allows a woman to nurse her child in public.
click to read more...
The Tucson City Council can clarify the matter by adopting an ordinance that explicitly allows a woman to nurse her child in public.
click to read more...
Vermont witch display sparks chest beating (BostonHerald.com)
This witch could probably use an abracada-bra.
Brattleboro, Vt., has been under a spell ever since residents David and Lauren Petrie decorated the lawn of their Guilford Street home with a breast-feeding witch Halloween display a couple of weeks ago.
The display features a scarecrow witch with a gourd breast and a green baby witch doll.
``I would hope if witches have babies and the witches would have to feed their babies, they would nurse,'' Lauren Petrie said. ``I am also advocating being comfortable with nursing in public.''
A photo of the Petrie witch in the Brattleboro Reformer sparked a spate of letters.
click to read more...
Brattleboro, Vt., has been under a spell ever since residents David and Lauren Petrie decorated the lawn of their Guilford Street home with a breast-feeding witch Halloween display a couple of weeks ago.
The display features a scarecrow witch with a gourd breast and a green baby witch doll.
``I would hope if witches have babies and the witches would have to feed their babies, they would nurse,'' Lauren Petrie said. ``I am also advocating being comfortable with nursing in public.''
A photo of the Petrie witch in the Brattleboro Reformer sparked a spate of letters.
click to read more...
Dundee mums less likely to breastfeed (Evening Telegraph)
Fewer than half of all mums in Dundee are breastfeeding their babies when they are discharged from hospital, writes Stefan Morkis.
Figures released by NHS Tayside to MSP Marlyn Glen show that although the number of mums breastfeeding is rising, rates of breastfeeding in Dundee are still far lower than elsewhere in Tayside.
In 1997/98, only 39% of mums were breastfeeding at the time of discharge from hospital.
The 2003/04 figures show this has risen to 46% — still nearly 10% lower than the rate for Tayside as a whole.
In Angus, 55% of mums are breastfeeding when discharged from hospital, while in Perth and Kinross the figure is 66%.
Despite the health benefits of breastfeeding to both mother and child, by the time they are six weeks old, just 26.4% of Dundee babies are being breastfed — the lowest rate in Scotland.
click to read more...
Figures released by NHS Tayside to MSP Marlyn Glen show that although the number of mums breastfeeding is rising, rates of breastfeeding in Dundee are still far lower than elsewhere in Tayside.
In 1997/98, only 39% of mums were breastfeeding at the time of discharge from hospital.
The 2003/04 figures show this has risen to 46% — still nearly 10% lower than the rate for Tayside as a whole.
In Angus, 55% of mums are breastfeeding when discharged from hospital, while in Perth and Kinross the figure is 66%.
Despite the health benefits of breastfeeding to both mother and child, by the time they are six weeks old, just 26.4% of Dundee babies are being breastfed — the lowest rate in Scotland.
click to read more...
Breastfeeding Witch Causing Stir In Vermont (CBS4 Boston)
(CBS4) BRATTLEBORO, VT One Halloween display in Vermont is causing people to look twice, and many can’t believe what they see.
David and Lauren Petrie of Brattleboro decked out their home for Halloween. But it’s not the pumpkins that are attracting attention. It’s “The Witch Lactation Station.”
That’s right. The Petrie’s holiday display features a breastfeeding witch, complete with a gourd breast and a baby witch doll.
click to read more...
David and Lauren Petrie of Brattleboro decked out their home for Halloween. But it’s not the pumpkins that are attracting attention. It’s “The Witch Lactation Station.”
That’s right. The Petrie’s holiday display features a breastfeeding witch, complete with a gourd breast and a baby witch doll.
click to read more...
Monday, October 24, 2005
Nursing Mother Counsel marks 50 years of supporting mothers (San Mateo County Times)
Breast-feeding isn't as easy as it seems, physically and emotionally. Lori McBride, coordinator of the San Mateo/San Francisco chapter of the Nursing Mothers Counsel, recently spoke with staff writer Tara Ramroop about her organization's efforts to help breast-feeding become a positive experience.
Q. Tell our readers a little bit about the Nursing Mothers Counsel (NMC) and how it got started?
A. Nursing Mothers Counsel just celebrated its 50th anniversary on Sept. 18. In 1955, it was not the norm to breast-feed. A pre-natal exercise class instructor in Palo Alto taught her students about natural childbirth — which also was not the norm — and breast-feeding. A group of women from this class did their research — there was little breast-feeding information available at this time — and decided breast-feeding would be best for their babies. They wanted to encourage and support other moms in the community to breast-feed.
In October 1955, they formed NursingMothers Anonymous, which a few years later became Nursing Mothers Counsel, a nonprofit dedicated to providing free breast-feeding education and support to enable moms to have a positive and successful breast-feeding experience.
These early members took their own babies and did demonstrations at childbirth-education classes. They worked with moms on a one-to-one basis, counseling mainly by phone, but doing free home visits when needed. They chose the title Nursing Mothers "Counsel" rather than "Council" because their role was to counsel moms.
click to read more...
Q. Tell our readers a little bit about the Nursing Mothers Counsel (NMC) and how it got started?
A. Nursing Mothers Counsel just celebrated its 50th anniversary on Sept. 18. In 1955, it was not the norm to breast-feed. A pre-natal exercise class instructor in Palo Alto taught her students about natural childbirth — which also was not the norm — and breast-feeding. A group of women from this class did their research — there was little breast-feeding information available at this time — and decided breast-feeding would be best for their babies. They wanted to encourage and support other moms in the community to breast-feed.
In October 1955, they formed NursingMothers Anonymous, which a few years later became Nursing Mothers Counsel, a nonprofit dedicated to providing free breast-feeding education and support to enable moms to have a positive and successful breast-feeding experience.
These early members took their own babies and did demonstrations at childbirth-education classes. They worked with moms on a one-to-one basis, counseling mainly by phone, but doing free home visits when needed. They chose the title Nursing Mothers "Counsel" rather than "Council" because their role was to counsel moms.
click to read more...
Saturday, October 22, 2005
Mother's milk helps to block HIV - Search for chemicals to stop the spread of AIDS latches on to breast milk. (nature.com)
Sugar-containing compounds in breast milk may reduce the transmission of HIV to suckling babies, suggests a lab-based study.
The findings do not mean that it is a good idea for HIV-positive mothers to breastfeed their infants, say the researchers, as the virus can still be transmitted this way. But if the results hold true in further studies, they could lead to new ways to block transmission of HIV between adults during sex.
Milk is already known to contain some substances that quell HIV. "Breast milk has all sorts of good stuff in it, such as antibodies from the mother," says Louise Kuhn, who studies HIV transmission at Columbia University in New York.
click to read more...
The findings do not mean that it is a good idea for HIV-positive mothers to breastfeed their infants, say the researchers, as the virus can still be transmitted this way. But if the results hold true in further studies, they could lead to new ways to block transmission of HIV between adults during sex.
Milk is already known to contain some substances that quell HIV. "Breast milk has all sorts of good stuff in it, such as antibodies from the mother," says Louise Kuhn, who studies HIV transmission at Columbia University in New York.
click to read more...
Breast-feeding panel to provide options (East Valley Tribune)
Chandler’s split Breastfeeding Task Force will present a handful of options Monday to the City Council.
Breast-feeding advocates on the task force want an ordinance stating a mother may nurse her child anywhere she already has the right to be.
But business advocates on the task force oppose a mandate on private businesses.
The council is expected to hear both sides during its Monday study session. Judging by past turnouts for breast-feeding discussions, the council chambers will likely be packed.
click to read more...
Breast-feeding advocates on the task force want an ordinance stating a mother may nurse her child anywhere she already has the right to be.
But business advocates on the task force oppose a mandate on private businesses.
The council is expected to hear both sides during its Monday study session. Judging by past turnouts for breast-feeding discussions, the council chambers will likely be packed.
click to read more...
Thursday, October 20, 2005
United States Breastfeeding Committee Press Release
Mixed Credibility of the Revised AAP SIDS Prevention Recommendations
The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) released revised recommendations for Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) prevention last week, one of which provides valuable new information to help parents protect their infant, while others not only lack a solid scientific basis but also entail some risks.
click to view press release....
The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) released revised recommendations for Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) prevention last week, one of which provides valuable new information to help parents protect their infant, while others not only lack a solid scientific basis but also entail some risks.
click to view press release....
Wednesday, October 19, 2005
Breastfeeding dispute ends with branch move (The Maitland Mercury)
A Thornton mother banned from breastfeeding her son in a Commonwealth Bank lunchroom is anxious to put the dispute behind her after receiving a transfer to a new branch.
Susan Bourke will take up the position as a teller at the Green Hills branch of the bank this week following nearly six months on sick leave for anxiety and depression.
The Mercury reported on Friday the alleged discrimination of Mrs Bourke, who was banned from breastfeeding her son Nicholas in the lunch room of the bank's Maitland branch.
The Thornton mother-of-two said she did not want to return to a branch where she was segregated and made to feel "upset and uncomfortable".
click to read more...
Susan Bourke will take up the position as a teller at the Green Hills branch of the bank this week following nearly six months on sick leave for anxiety and depression.
The Mercury reported on Friday the alleged discrimination of Mrs Bourke, who was banned from breastfeeding her son Nicholas in the lunch room of the bank's Maitland branch.
The Thornton mother-of-two said she did not want to return to a branch where she was segregated and made to feel "upset and uncomfortable".
click to read more...
Nursing infant photo deemed too risqué for Fredericton news magazine cover (the eyeopener online)
FREDERICTON (CUP) -- "I got to work Thursday morning and everything on my computer was frozen," Miriam Christensen said as she walked the streets of Saint John, N.B., looking for a pet store to buy a travel harness for her cat. "I tried to login, but I was locked out," she said. It was her last day as editor of [here], a weekly news magazine servicing Moncton, St. John and Fredericton. But she didn't know it yet.
Last week, the original cover photo of the Oct. 6 edition of [here] was pulled and replaced shortly before distribution. The intended photo of a nursing child and its accompanying article coincided with a breast-feeding conference in St. John and World Breast-feeding week. Christensen wrote the article partly due to the fact that New Brunswick's breast-feeding numbers sit well-below the national average.
"New Brunswick has the second-lowest, or the lowest rate of breast-feeding in Canada, and with that in mind it was decided that we'd grant a cover story on the subject to all three cities," said Christensen.
With the issue set for its Thursday release, [here]'s production team was training in Moncton last Wednesday, while Christensen remained at her desk in Saint John. She had given her two weeks notice early last week, after taking a job with a Danish public radio station in Copenhagen, making further training for [here] unnecessary. The team discussed the cover and its implications before agreeing that, whatever the outcome, it would run.
"But when I was walking to work on Thursday morning I noticed that none of the papers were out," said Christensen.
click to read more...
Last week, the original cover photo of the Oct. 6 edition of [here] was pulled and replaced shortly before distribution. The intended photo of a nursing child and its accompanying article coincided with a breast-feeding conference in St. John and World Breast-feeding week. Christensen wrote the article partly due to the fact that New Brunswick's breast-feeding numbers sit well-below the national average.
"New Brunswick has the second-lowest, or the lowest rate of breast-feeding in Canada, and with that in mind it was decided that we'd grant a cover story on the subject to all three cities," said Christensen.
With the issue set for its Thursday release, [here]'s production team was training in Moncton last Wednesday, while Christensen remained at her desk in Saint John. She had given her two weeks notice early last week, after taking a job with a Danish public radio station in Copenhagen, making further training for [here] unnecessary. The team discussed the cover and its implications before agreeing that, whatever the outcome, it would run.
"But when I was walking to work on Thursday morning I noticed that none of the papers were out," said Christensen.
click to read more...
Monday, October 17, 2005
The binky vs. the breast (USATODAY.com)
Should you give your baby a binky at bedtime?
The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) says yes: In new guidelines on preventing sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS), the group urges parents to offer pacifiers at nap and bedtimes. The academy cites research showing babies who nod off with pacifiers are 61% less likely to die of SIDS than otherwise similar babies who don't. The doctors speculate that pacifiers may help keep airways clear or may keep babies from sleeping too deeply or rolling onto tummies.
Contrary to popular belief, the academy says, pacifiers don't ruin teeth and don't cause enough infant ear infections to negate their benefits. And, the doctors say there isn't compelling evidence that pacifiers inhibit breast-feeding.
Case closed? Not for everyone. In fact, some advocates of breast-feeding and "attachment parenting" are aghast at the pacifier advice and are urging parents to disregard it (along with another recommendation that discourages sharing a bed with a baby).
"The breast-feeding community is very upset," says Katy Lebbing, a spokeswoman for La Leche League International. "Basically, they are telling us to use an artificial substitute for something a mother usually does."
To be well-nourished — and keep up a mother's milk supply — a baby must nurse often, including at bedtime, advocates say. They say the academy ignored studies suggesting babies who use pacifiers nurse less. But they are as worried about nurturing as they are about nutrition.
click to read more...
The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) says yes: In new guidelines on preventing sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS), the group urges parents to offer pacifiers at nap and bedtimes. The academy cites research showing babies who nod off with pacifiers are 61% less likely to die of SIDS than otherwise similar babies who don't. The doctors speculate that pacifiers may help keep airways clear or may keep babies from sleeping too deeply or rolling onto tummies.
Contrary to popular belief, the academy says, pacifiers don't ruin teeth and don't cause enough infant ear infections to negate their benefits. And, the doctors say there isn't compelling evidence that pacifiers inhibit breast-feeding.
Case closed? Not for everyone. In fact, some advocates of breast-feeding and "attachment parenting" are aghast at the pacifier advice and are urging parents to disregard it (along with another recommendation that discourages sharing a bed with a baby).
"The breast-feeding community is very upset," says Katy Lebbing, a spokeswoman for La Leche League International. "Basically, they are telling us to use an artificial substitute for something a mother usually does."
To be well-nourished — and keep up a mother's milk supply — a baby must nurse often, including at bedtime, advocates say. They say the academy ignored studies suggesting babies who use pacifiers nurse less. But they are as worried about nurturing as they are about nutrition.
click to read more...
Sunday, October 16, 2005
Massachusetts Breastfeeding Coaltiion Statement on the New AAP Recommendations
The Massachusetts Breastfeeding Coalition has added this news item to their site:
AAP releases controversial guidelines on SIDS prevention
AAP releases controversial guidelines on SIDS prevention
Friday, October 14, 2005
Breaking News: Breastfeeding Is Associated with a Lower Risk of SIDS According to The Academy of Breastfeeding Medicine
Contrary to even the recommendations of its own Section on Breastfeeding, the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) released an ill-advised and ill-informed statement from its Task Force on SIDS (1) (sudden infant death syndrome). Recommendations that advise against parent-infant bed-sharing and support the generic use of pacifiers imply a "truly astounding triumph of ethnocentric assumptions over common sense and medical research," according to Nancy Wight, M.D., president of The Academy of Breastfeeding Medicine. These controversies, and many more, will be addressed in the upcoming, new peer-reviewed journal Breastfeeding Medicine (www.liebertpub.com/bfm), the Official Journal of the Academy of Breastfeeding Medicine (www.brmed.org).
click to read more...
click to read more...
LLLI Responds to AAP Policy Statement on Sudden Infant Death Syndrome
Schaumburg, IL (October 2005) La Leche League International (LLLI) is concerned about the October 10, 2005 policy statement on Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) issued by the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) Task Force on SIDS. The recommendations about pacifiers and cosleeping in the statement reflect a lack of basic understanding about breastfeeding management.
Pacifiers, which are recommended in this policy statement, are artificial substitutes for what the breast does naturally. Breastfed babies often nurse to sleep for naps and bedtime. The recommended pacifier usage could cause a reduction in milk supply due to reduced stimulation of the breasts and may affect breastfeeding duration.
LLLI recognizes that safe cosleeping facilitates breastfeeding. One important way cosleeping can help a mother’s milk supply is by encouraging regular and frequent feeding. Well-known research on safe cosleeping practices by Dr. James McKenna, Director of the Mother-Baby Behavioral Sleep Laboratory at Notre Dame University was disregarded by the task force.
Also, the obvious omission of input by the AAP’s Section on Breastfeeding may account for the fact that breastfeeding management issues were not taken into consideration. Dr. Nancy Wight, President of the Academy of Breastfeeding Medicine , comments that this statement “represents a truly astounding triumph of ethnocentric assumptions over common sense and medical research.” Dr. Wight also states, “There are many physician members of the AAP who do not agree with these recommendations.”
Although the authors do state that breastfeeding is beneficial and should be promoted, their recommendations about pacifier use and cosleeping could have a negative impact on a mother’s efforts to breastfeed. The statement causes confusion for parents and falls seriously short of being a useful and comprehensive policy.
LLLI, a non-profit organization that helps mothers learn about breastfeeding, has an international Professional Advisory Board. The LLLI Center for Breastfeeding Information is one of the world’s largest libraries of information on breastfeeding, human lactation, and related topics. Monthly meetings are offered to pregnant women and nursing mothers and babies to learn about breastfeeding management. To find local groups call 800 LA LECHE or visit www.lalecheleague.org
LLLI Responds to AAP Policy Statement on Sudden Infant Death Syndrome
Pacifiers, which are recommended in this policy statement, are artificial substitutes for what the breast does naturally. Breastfed babies often nurse to sleep for naps and bedtime. The recommended pacifier usage could cause a reduction in milk supply due to reduced stimulation of the breasts and may affect breastfeeding duration.
LLLI recognizes that safe cosleeping facilitates breastfeeding. One important way cosleeping can help a mother’s milk supply is by encouraging regular and frequent feeding. Well-known research on safe cosleeping practices by Dr. James McKenna, Director of the Mother-Baby Behavioral Sleep Laboratory at Notre Dame University was disregarded by the task force.
Also, the obvious omission of input by the AAP’s Section on Breastfeeding may account for the fact that breastfeeding management issues were not taken into consideration. Dr. Nancy Wight, President of the Academy of Breastfeeding Medicine , comments that this statement “represents a truly astounding triumph of ethnocentric assumptions over common sense and medical research.” Dr. Wight also states, “There are many physician members of the AAP who do not agree with these recommendations.”
Although the authors do state that breastfeeding is beneficial and should be promoted, their recommendations about pacifier use and cosleeping could have a negative impact on a mother’s efforts to breastfeed. The statement causes confusion for parents and falls seriously short of being a useful and comprehensive policy.
LLLI, a non-profit organization that helps mothers learn about breastfeeding, has an international Professional Advisory Board. The LLLI Center for Breastfeeding Information is one of the world’s largest libraries of information on breastfeeding, human lactation, and related topics. Monthly meetings are offered to pregnant women and nursing mothers and babies to learn about breastfeeding management. To find local groups call 800 LA LECHE or visit www.lalecheleague.org
LLLI Responds to AAP Policy Statement on Sudden Infant Death Syndrome
'Archaic' behaviour to breastfeeding mother (The Maitland Mercury)
A national advocacy group has labelled the alleged discrimination of a breastfeeding mother from Thornton as "archaic" behaviour that didn't belong in today's workplaces.
Susan Bourke has been on sick leave for nearly six months after becoming depressed and anxious when she was banned from breastfeeding her son in the lunch room of the Maitland branch of the Commonwealth Bank.
The Thornton mother-of-two, who has temporarily resumed work at Raymond Terrace, now fears she will lose her job because she does not want to return to the Maitland branch where she was segregated and made to feel "upset and uncomfortable".
Australian Breastfeeding Association director Lee King said it was "sad our society hasn't go the appropriate attitude" when it came to breastfeeding, with many mothers "embarrassed and unsure" about where they can feed their babies.
"It's all right for adults to eat in the lunch room, but it's not all right for babies to ... it's so old fashioned, so archaic," Ms King said.
click to read more...
Susan Bourke has been on sick leave for nearly six months after becoming depressed and anxious when she was banned from breastfeeding her son in the lunch room of the Maitland branch of the Commonwealth Bank.
The Thornton mother-of-two, who has temporarily resumed work at Raymond Terrace, now fears she will lose her job because she does not want to return to the Maitland branch where she was segregated and made to feel "upset and uncomfortable".
Australian Breastfeeding Association director Lee King said it was "sad our society hasn't go the appropriate attitude" when it came to breastfeeding, with many mothers "embarrassed and unsure" about where they can feed their babies.
"It's all right for adults to eat in the lunch room, but it's not all right for babies to ... it's so old fashioned, so archaic," Ms King said.
click to read more...
Tucson Weekly : Currents : T Q&A
Chandra Ruiz is the founder of Breast or Bust!, a small business using witty T-shirts to advocate for breastfeeding rights. Her breastfeeding convictions, along with her involvement with La Leche League, drove Ruiz to the frontlines of an ongoing battle. In June, a breastfeeding mother was asked to leave a city pool in Chandler after she refused to go into a bathroom to nurse; now, groups around Arizona are fighting for state legislation and city ordinances to protect breastfeeding mothers and their children. Since the June incident, Ruiz has banded together with women around the state, via the Internet, to push for legislative reform. For more information, check out http://www.breastorbust.com or e-mail chandra@breastorbust.com
Why exactly are you so angry?
I'm a breastfeeding mother who feels that it's very sad that women who go out in public fear things like harassment, segregation and discrimination, simply because they are trying to feed and comfort their children. Following the confrontation in June, the city of Chandler received more than 111 pages of e-mails contesting the council's decision to support the city pool policies regarding breastfeeding.
click to read more...
Why exactly are you so angry?
I'm a breastfeeding mother who feels that it's very sad that women who go out in public fear things like harassment, segregation and discrimination, simply because they are trying to feed and comfort their children. Following the confrontation in June, the city of Chandler received more than 111 pages of e-mails contesting the council's decision to support the city pool policies regarding breastfeeding.
click to read more...
Why buy the cow, when you can get the milk for free? : Breastfeeding awareness should be aimed not only at moms, but at general public (Durham Region
"Don't you want to go somewhere else to do that?"
"I don't want my child to see that!"
"That's disgusting!"
"That child is too old for that. Get him on a bottle!"
There's a random sample of comments made to me by complete strangers in the 11-plus months that I nursed my son, now 3-and-a-half, and the 14-plus months I nursed my daughter, now 2.
Last week was World Breastfeeding Week, and in celebration, the Durham Region Health Department ran an absolutely fantastic ad in our papers, showing a neck-to-waste picture of a woman in an evening gown.
"They weren't put there just to hold up a strapless dress," read the caption. The ad went on to state that breastmilk is the only food a baby needs in the first six months.
This ad is terrific for a number of reasons. First, what draws people in like cleavage? Second, my experience says it's often those most fascinated with cleavage who have the most adverse reaction to seeing a woman nursing in public.
click to read more...
"I don't want my child to see that!"
"That's disgusting!"
"That child is too old for that. Get him on a bottle!"
There's a random sample of comments made to me by complete strangers in the 11-plus months that I nursed my son, now 3-and-a-half, and the 14-plus months I nursed my daughter, now 2.
Last week was World Breastfeeding Week, and in celebration, the Durham Region Health Department ran an absolutely fantastic ad in our papers, showing a neck-to-waste picture of a woman in an evening gown.
"They weren't put there just to hold up a strapless dress," read the caption. The ad went on to state that breastmilk is the only food a baby needs in the first six months.
This ad is terrific for a number of reasons. First, what draws people in like cleavage? Second, my experience says it's often those most fascinated with cleavage who have the most adverse reaction to seeing a woman nursing in public.
click to read more...
Wednesday, October 12, 2005
Mayo group showing the way for Ireland's women (Western People)
Ireland has one of the lowest rates of breastfeeding in the Western world but a small voluntary group of Mayo women are working to change that.
Four branches of the Mayo Breastfeeding Support Network came together last Friday, October 7 to officially launch Ireland’s first website on breastfeeding in Tumble Jungle, Ballina.
The website which can be viewed at www.breastfeeding.ie is run on a voluntary basis and will provide a major link between all groups around the country who support breastfeeding mums.
Information, meeting venues, frequently asked questions and shared experiences are some of the topics that will feature on the site.
The site is the first of its kind, containing information about voluntary groups and groups run by the public health nurses as well as information about Cuidiu and the public meeting places of the La Leche League.
Breastfeeding is the most natural thing in the world but has been regarded with reservation in Ireland for several generations now. The members of Mayo’s breastfeeding support groups are convinced they can reverse the trends for breastfeeding with just a little encouragement. Their aim is to promote breastfeeding as the norm and encourage family and societal support for this ancient art.
click to read more...
Four branches of the Mayo Breastfeeding Support Network came together last Friday, October 7 to officially launch Ireland’s first website on breastfeeding in Tumble Jungle, Ballina.
The website which can be viewed at www.breastfeeding.ie is run on a voluntary basis and will provide a major link between all groups around the country who support breastfeeding mums.
Information, meeting venues, frequently asked questions and shared experiences are some of the topics that will feature on the site.
The site is the first of its kind, containing information about voluntary groups and groups run by the public health nurses as well as information about Cuidiu and the public meeting places of the La Leche League.
Breastfeeding is the most natural thing in the world but has been regarded with reservation in Ireland for several generations now. The members of Mayo’s breastfeeding support groups are convinced they can reverse the trends for breastfeeding with just a little encouragement. Their aim is to promote breastfeeding as the norm and encourage family and societal support for this ancient art.
click to read more...
Covergirl mother says breast is best (CBC New Brunswick)
The nursing mother whose photo was pulled from the cover of an Irving-owned newspaper says outdated attitudes prevent many moms from giving their babies the healthiest start possible.
Thirty six thousand copies of Here magazine were printed with a close-up photo of Christina Taylor's nursing infant Angela on the cover.
Most of those papers never made it to news stands, because Brunswick News executives believed the picture was inappropriate for some readers.
The paper was recalled and the photo replaced with a cartoon-like drawing of a woman holding a baby in a blanket.
Taylor says that decision underlines just how uncomfortable some people in New Brunswick are about breastfeeding. She says the lack of support makes it difficult for mothers to nurse their babies.
click to read more....
Thirty six thousand copies of Here magazine were printed with a close-up photo of Christina Taylor's nursing infant Angela on the cover.
Most of those papers never made it to news stands, because Brunswick News executives believed the picture was inappropriate for some readers.
The paper was recalled and the photo replaced with a cartoon-like drawing of a woman holding a baby in a blanket.
Taylor says that decision underlines just how uncomfortable some people in New Brunswick are about breastfeeding. She says the lack of support makes it difficult for mothers to nurse their babies.
click to read more....
Tuesday, October 11, 2005
Breast-feeding solution is somewhere between extremes (East Valley Tribune)
It seems that government at every level is relentlessly driven to create laws addressing every imaginable human behavior. The result not only is a tangled glut of legislation but the death of common sense — or is that the cause?
A good example is the debate raging in Chandler over breast-feeding in public — which could escalate to the state Legislature if either side doesn’t get all it wants from the City Council.
click to read more...
A good example is the debate raging in Chandler over breast-feeding in public — which could escalate to the state Legislature if either side doesn’t get all it wants from the City Council.
click to read more...
Surprise! Breastfeeding Benefits Mother, Too (PRNewswire)
ALEXANDRIA, Va., Oct. 10 /PRNewswire/ -- Breast milk or liquid gold, as many women often refer to it, is one of the most precious, lifelong gifts a mother can give to her newborn; however, many mothers are not aware of the health benefits for themselves.
According to a national breastfeeding survey conducted for Lansinoh Laboratories, the leading provider of breastfeeding products for mothers and babies, 100 percent of new moms (first-time and experienced) cite health benefits as the number one reason for choosing to breastfeed, but less than half, 44 percent, chose to breastfeed because of the health benefits for themselves.
"The extent to which breastfeeding affects a mother's health is rarely emphasized," says noted pediatrician James Sears, M.D., a member of the Lansinoh Breastfeeding Advisory Board (http://www.lansinoh.com). Choosing to breastfeed gives baby a healthy start in life and provides a variety of health benefits for mothers as well...
click to read more...
According to a national breastfeeding survey conducted for Lansinoh Laboratories, the leading provider of breastfeeding products for mothers and babies, 100 percent of new moms (first-time and experienced) cite health benefits as the number one reason for choosing to breastfeed, but less than half, 44 percent, chose to breastfeed because of the health benefits for themselves.
"The extent to which breastfeeding affects a mother's health is rarely emphasized," says noted pediatrician James Sears, M.D., a member of the Lansinoh Breastfeeding Advisory Board (http://www.lansinoh.com). Choosing to breastfeed gives baby a healthy start in life and provides a variety of health benefits for mothers as well...
click to read more...
Harassing Breast-Feeding Mothers Could Lead To Fines (TheKSBWChannel.com)
MADISON, Wis. -- Asking a breast-feeding mother to cover-up could soon cost people in Wisconsin $200.
A proposed bill by state Sen. Fred Risser would protect mothers who breast-feed in public from being harassed.
Under Wisconsin law it is perfectly legal for a woman to breast-feed her child in a public place.
But while the state law may be behind the mother, the public isn't always behind the law, Madison television station WISC reported.
Michelle Morgan said she has run into problems trying to breast-feed her son, Ian, in public.
"A woman basically said to me that I should probably go somewhere else or make sure that I stayed covered up," said Morgan. "It made me pretty angry."
"It's usually quite innocent," said La Leche League leader Laurel Franczek. "The person who's asking that doesn't realize that women already have the right to breast-feed wherever they are."
Clearing up the confusion about breast-feeding in public is the inspiration for the bill, which is now in front of the state Legislature.
click to read more...
A proposed bill by state Sen. Fred Risser would protect mothers who breast-feed in public from being harassed.
Under Wisconsin law it is perfectly legal for a woman to breast-feed her child in a public place.
But while the state law may be behind the mother, the public isn't always behind the law, Madison television station WISC reported.
Michelle Morgan said she has run into problems trying to breast-feed her son, Ian, in public.
"A woman basically said to me that I should probably go somewhere else or make sure that I stayed covered up," said Morgan. "It made me pretty angry."
"It's usually quite innocent," said La Leche League leader Laurel Franczek. "The person who's asking that doesn't realize that women already have the right to breast-feed wherever they are."
Clearing up the confusion about breast-feeding in public is the inspiration for the bill, which is now in front of the state Legislature.
click to read more...
Irving news pulls breastfeeding cover, fires editor (CBC New Brunswick)
The Irving newspaper group has pulled the latest issue of Here magazine from store shelves and fired its editor after a photo of a breastfeeding baby appeared on its cover.
The photo is an extreme close-up of a tiny baby suckling at its mother's breast. The cover promoted a story about World Breastfeeding Week, which began Oct. 1. The story also highlighted the low rates of breastfeeding in New Brunswick.
Irving news executives replaced the photo with a cartoon drawing of a woman holding a baby in a blanket.
click to read more...
The photo is an extreme close-up of a tiny baby suckling at its mother's breast. The cover promoted a story about World Breastfeeding Week, which began Oct. 1. The story also highlighted the low rates of breastfeeding in New Brunswick.
Irving news executives replaced the photo with a cartoon drawing of a woman holding a baby in a blanket.
click to read more...
Saturday, October 08, 2005
Does Being Breastfed Affect Later Cancer Risk? (WebMD)
Being breastfed as an infant has little impact on cancer risk as an adult, according to a newly published study and a review of earlier research.
Researchers from the England's University of Bristol found no evidence that being breastfed increases cancer risk. A slight protective benefit against breast cancer prior to menopause was found for women who were breastfed as infants. But Richard M, Martin, PhD, who led the research team, tells WebMD that the finding is far from conclusive.
"These findings show that being breastfed doesn't increase cancer risk as an adult," he says. "There are still many unanswered questions, including whether breastfeeding is protective against heart disease and its role in brain development."
click to read more...
Researchers from the England's University of Bristol found no evidence that being breastfed increases cancer risk. A slight protective benefit against breast cancer prior to menopause was found for women who were breastfed as infants. But Richard M, Martin, PhD, who led the research team, tells WebMD that the finding is far from conclusive.
"These findings show that being breastfed doesn't increase cancer risk as an adult," he says. "There are still many unanswered questions, including whether breastfeeding is protective against heart disease and its role in brain development."
click to read more...
Breast-Feeding Does Not Raise Cancer Risk in Adulthood (Medscape)
NEW YORK (Reuters Health) Oct 05 - Adults who were breast-fed as infants are not at increased risk for cancer, researchers report in the October 5th issue of the Journal of the National Cancer Institute. Moreover, the results of a meta-analysis suggest that this feeding method may reduce the risk of premenopausal breast cancer...
...In the meta-analysis, breast-feeding during infancy did not have an effect on the overall risk of breast cancer in adulthood. However, this practice was associated with a 12% decreased risk of premenopausal breast cancer.
click to read more...
...In the meta-analysis, breast-feeding during infancy did not have an effect on the overall risk of breast cancer in adulthood. However, this practice was associated with a 12% decreased risk of premenopausal breast cancer.
click to read more...
More new mothers at WRH breast-feed than elsewhere (Waterford News & Star)
A HIGHER proportion of women who give birth at Waterford Regional Hospital, breast-feed their children than elsewhere in the country.
More than half of women, who deliver their babies at WRH initiate breast-feeding.
But overall in Ireland less than 35% of babies are breast-fed at birth. That’s according to the Health Service Executive, which is issuing information gift packs on breastfeeding to mothers who deliver babies at Waterford Regional Hospital this week The gift packs of information leaflets, pens and baby grows are being given out to new mothers at the hospital’s maternity unit as part of National Breast Feeding Week, which runs from October 3 to 10.
The hospital is also marking the week with display units at the front hall, canteen and the maternity unit and running a quiz for staff members and patients.
WRH is the first hospital in the South East and one of only two hospitals in Ireland to achieve the Baby Friendly Hospital Initiative award.
click to read more...
More than half of women, who deliver their babies at WRH initiate breast-feeding.
But overall in Ireland less than 35% of babies are breast-fed at birth. That’s according to the Health Service Executive, which is issuing information gift packs on breastfeeding to mothers who deliver babies at Waterford Regional Hospital this week The gift packs of information leaflets, pens and baby grows are being given out to new mothers at the hospital’s maternity unit as part of National Breast Feeding Week, which runs from October 3 to 10.
The hospital is also marking the week with display units at the front hall, canteen and the maternity unit and running a quiz for staff members and patients.
WRH is the first hospital in the South East and one of only two hospitals in Ireland to achieve the Baby Friendly Hospital Initiative award.
click to read more...
Plea for human milk donations (BBC NEWS)
Urgent supplies of human milk are being sought to help save the lives of sick babies in Northern Ireland.
The Sperrin Lakeland Human Milk Bank, the only one of its kind in the province, needs donor breast milk as it is running low in supplies.
Based in County Fermanagh, the milk bank processes and stores the breast milk which is used to feed sick babies in hospitals and other specialist baby units throughout Ireland.
Sick babies can benefit from human breast milk
Breast milk, with its minerals, digestive enzymes and antibodies, has long been credited with keeping babies healthy.
But it is particularly good for post-operation babies because it is easier to digest than cow's milk formula.
Co-ordinator Anne McCrea said many people were unaware the milk bank existed, but appealed to nursing mothers for their help.
"Our milk goes out to all the neo-natal units in Northern Ireland. So we regularly help very, very tiny babies from as much as 500g up," she said.
click to read more...
The Sperrin Lakeland Human Milk Bank, the only one of its kind in the province, needs donor breast milk as it is running low in supplies.
Based in County Fermanagh, the milk bank processes and stores the breast milk which is used to feed sick babies in hospitals and other specialist baby units throughout Ireland.
Sick babies can benefit from human breast milk
Breast milk, with its minerals, digestive enzymes and antibodies, has long been credited with keeping babies healthy.
But it is particularly good for post-operation babies because it is easier to digest than cow's milk formula.
Co-ordinator Anne McCrea said many people were unaware the milk bank existed, but appealed to nursing mothers for their help.
"Our milk goes out to all the neo-natal units in Northern Ireland. So we regularly help very, very tiny babies from as much as 500g up," she said.
click to read more...
Be positive on breast-feeding (The Arizona Republic)
Sometimes even the most basic things can cause a ruckus.
When Chandler recently considered making breast-feeding in public a criminal offense, people across the continent blasted the City Council with letters and e-mails.
The council backed off the criminal-trespass idea and appointed the Chandler Breast-feeding Task Force to make a recommendation, but itwas unable to reach a decision on where in the world women could breast-feed.
In one meeting, the group narrowly voted against a proposal that would have made nursing in public places a right but would have allowed private businesses to disallow it.
In another, the group still was unable to come up with a majority vote on any recommendation to the Chandler City Council. Instead, the task force is forwarding suggested versions of an ordinance change to the council.
The suggestions vary in detail, but all hover around the idea that our city should tolerate, if not actually embrace, breast-feeding.
Complicating things is that Arizona is one of only a few states that has not exempted breast-feeding from the indecent exposure law. A woman nursing in public could be arrested.
That's just wrong.
click to read more...
When Chandler recently considered making breast-feeding in public a criminal offense, people across the continent blasted the City Council with letters and e-mails.
The council backed off the criminal-trespass idea and appointed the Chandler Breast-feeding Task Force to make a recommendation, but itwas unable to reach a decision on where in the world women could breast-feed.
In one meeting, the group narrowly voted against a proposal that would have made nursing in public places a right but would have allowed private businesses to disallow it.
In another, the group still was unable to come up with a majority vote on any recommendation to the Chandler City Council. Instead, the task force is forwarding suggested versions of an ordinance change to the council.
The suggestions vary in detail, but all hover around the idea that our city should tolerate, if not actually embrace, breast-feeding.
Complicating things is that Arizona is one of only a few states that has not exempted breast-feeding from the indecent exposure law. A woman nursing in public could be arrested.
That's just wrong.
click to read more...
Breastfeeding is best (MALTA INDEPENDENT)
“Malta has the second lowest rate of breastfeeding in Europe,” the Commissioner for Children, Sonia Camilleri said yesterday at a seminar on breastfeeding.
Malta has signed an international agreement which protects the rights of the child and binds the government to promote breastfeeding during anti-natal classes.
However, Mrs Camilleri said that not enough was being done.
“The government is not doing enough to promote breastfeeding – I will be writing to the Minister of Health to remind him of his obligations towards newborn babies.”
She called for more in-depth training in breast-feeding, especially in the midwifery, nursing and medicine courses.
click to read more...
Malta has signed an international agreement which protects the rights of the child and binds the government to promote breastfeeding during anti-natal classes.
However, Mrs Camilleri said that not enough was being done.
“The government is not doing enough to promote breastfeeding – I will be writing to the Minister of Health to remind him of his obligations towards newborn babies.”
She called for more in-depth training in breast-feeding, especially in the midwifery, nursing and medicine courses.
click to read more...
Children's commissioner to lobby for breastfeeding (The Times & The Sunday Times, Malta)
Aggressive marketing of formula milk coupled with family members who put unnecessary pressure on the mother to give up breastfeeding were causing considerable damage, according to Children Commissioner Sonia Camilleri.
"All these negative inputs can be resisted when the parents realise that they are after what is best for their child - breast is best," she said.
On the first day of World Breastfeeding Week, Ms Camilleri referred to the sad statistic that Malta had the second lowest breastfeeding rate in Europe.
According to statistics released last year Malta stood wedged between Ireland, which had the lowest breastfeeding rate of 39 per cent, and the UK with 69 per cent. Malta still had a long way to go to attain the goal of 90 per cent established in Malta's Breastfeeding Policy in 2000.
click to read more...
"All these negative inputs can be resisted when the parents realise that they are after what is best for their child - breast is best," she said.
On the first day of World Breastfeeding Week, Ms Camilleri referred to the sad statistic that Malta had the second lowest breastfeeding rate in Europe.
According to statistics released last year Malta stood wedged between Ireland, which had the lowest breastfeeding rate of 39 per cent, and the UK with 69 per cent. Malta still had a long way to go to attain the goal of 90 per cent established in Malta's Breastfeeding Policy in 2000.
click to read more...
Wednesday, October 05, 2005
ABC of breastfeeding (Health 24 )
The Lean Aubergine Dietetic Services give the following reasons why they feel strongly about exclusive breastfeeding for at least four to six months:
B – Promotes bonding with your baby by the warmth of skin to skin contact.
R - Readily available and convenient, requires less preparation and equipment, which makes socialising and travelling so much easier.
E - It is easily digested by the immature digestive system, causing less colic, diarrhoea and constipation.
A - It lowers the risk of allergies, such as eczema and asthma.
click to read more...
B – Promotes bonding with your baby by the warmth of skin to skin contact.
R - Readily available and convenient, requires less preparation and equipment, which makes socialising and travelling so much easier.
E - It is easily digested by the immature digestive system, causing less colic, diarrhoea and constipation.
A - It lowers the risk of allergies, such as eczema and asthma.
click to read more...
Now, Mumbai's babies have a breast milk bank - India News (Webindia123.com)
Realising the significance of a mother's milk for an infant, a Hospital in Mumbai has set up a "Breast Milk Bank". It provides the much-needed alternative to many women who are not in a position to lactate, or to secrete milk.
Due to various physical conditions or circumstances a mother may not be able to provide her child with the all-important nutrient resulting in the baby's under development and ill health. Considering such desperate situations, the neo-natology department of the Lokmanya Tilak Municipal General Hospital in Mumbai started this Milk bank.
Now, Mumbai's babies have a breast milk bank - India News - Webindia123.com
Due to various physical conditions or circumstances a mother may not be able to provide her child with the all-important nutrient resulting in the baby's under development and ill health. Considering such desperate situations, the neo-natology department of the Lokmanya Tilak Municipal General Hospital in Mumbai started this Milk bank.
Now, Mumbai's babies have a breast milk bank - India News - Webindia123.com
DOH intensifies campaign for breastfeeding (PIA News Releases)
Tacloban City (6 October) -- Breastfeeding campaign is recently being heightened by the Department of Health or DOH, as statistics shows the decreasing percentage for breastfeeding mothers. This was learned by the Philippine Information Agency in an interview with the OIC BFAD Supervisor, Teofreda Goyone.
To thwart the situation, Goyone said the office is now in its strict implementation of the Milk Code issued in October 1996, so as to ensure safe and adequate nutrition of infants.
PIA News Releases
To thwart the situation, Goyone said the office is now in its strict implementation of the Milk Code issued in October 1996, so as to ensure safe and adequate nutrition of infants.
PIA News Releases
Tuesday, October 04, 2005
Regarding the media reports on a study in Pediatrics
A new study is out in Pediatrics, and the media has jumped all over it. The headlines would be ridiculous if they weren't so inflammatory: "Study Finds Breastmilk Can Promote Tooth Decay" - "Cow Milk Beats Breast Milk for Healthy Teeth" - "Breastfeeding May Cause Cavities for Some Babies at Night."
From the study itself: "The purpose of this study was to determine and compare the cariogenicity of various fluids that are frequently fed to infants and toddlers. We chose to examine sucrose, cola drink, honey, human milk, cow milk, and water because some of these have been associated with development of early childhood caries, although direct experimental evidence is lacking." The fluids were fed to desalivated rats via a nipple.
Now, here's the key sentence in the conclusions which everyone is apparently choosing to ignore: "Although human milk is more cariogenic than cow milk, it is no more cariogenic than are common infant formulas."
(I'd also point out that breastfed babies feeding at the breast should not be compared to babies being fed breastmilk or artificial baby milk via an artificial nipple, as the former are taking the milk much deeper in, closer towards the back of the throat - but that's another tangent I don't have time to go off on this morning.)
Check out the study abstract yourself:
Comparison of the Cariogenicity of Cola, Honey, Cow Milk, Human Milk, and Sucrose -- Bowen and Lawrence 116 (4): 921 -- Pediatrics
And thanks for letting me rant a little. ~Ali
From the study itself: "The purpose of this study was to determine and compare the cariogenicity of various fluids that are frequently fed to infants and toddlers. We chose to examine sucrose, cola drink, honey, human milk, cow milk, and water because some of these have been associated with development of early childhood caries, although direct experimental evidence is lacking." The fluids were fed to desalivated rats via a nipple.
Now, here's the key sentence in the conclusions which everyone is apparently choosing to ignore: "Although human milk is more cariogenic than cow milk, it is no more cariogenic than are common infant formulas."
(I'd also point out that breastfed babies feeding at the breast should not be compared to babies being fed breastmilk or artificial baby milk via an artificial nipple, as the former are taking the milk much deeper in, closer towards the back of the throat - but that's another tangent I don't have time to go off on this morning.)
Check out the study abstract yourself:
Comparison of the Cariogenicity of Cola, Honey, Cow Milk, Human Milk, and Sucrose -- Bowen and Lawrence 116 (4): 921 -- Pediatrics
And thanks for letting me rant a little. ~Ali
Husband's support can help with breastfeeding (ABC News)
NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - Though efforts to encourage breastfeeding are usually aimed at new mothers, getting dads on board can also help, according to a study published Monday.
The study, which followed 280 sets of new parents, found that mothers were more likely to breastfeed over the long term when their husbands also got some advice on breastfeeding.
Half of the fathers in the study were taught how to manage common problems women have with breastfeeding — including discomfort, fear that the baby is not getting enough milk and the difficulty of continuing to breastfeed after returning to work.
Of their wives, one-quarter were still breastfeeding exclusively or predominately when their babies were 6 months old — compared with 15 percent of women whose husbands attended a class on general infant health and nutrition.
Dr. Alfredo Pisacane and his colleagues at the University of Naples in Italy report the findings in the journal Pediatrics.
click to read more...
The study, which followed 280 sets of new parents, found that mothers were more likely to breastfeed over the long term when their husbands also got some advice on breastfeeding.
Half of the fathers in the study were taught how to manage common problems women have with breastfeeding — including discomfort, fear that the baby is not getting enough milk and the difficulty of continuing to breastfeed after returning to work.
Of their wives, one-quarter were still breastfeeding exclusively or predominately when their babies were 6 months old — compared with 15 percent of women whose husbands attended a class on general infant health and nutrition.
Dr. Alfredo Pisacane and his colleagues at the University of Naples in Italy report the findings in the journal Pediatrics.
click to read more...
Bid to boost breastfeeding (Ireland Online)
Greater support is needed for mothers in order to increase the rates of breastfeeding, a Government report said today.
The Strategic Action Plan for Ireland recommends education on breastfeeding for schoolchildren, regulation of the market for milk substitutes, regional breastfeeding co-ordinators and flexible working conditions for breastfeeding mothers.
Under the scheme, the Government hopes to see a sustained increase of 2% each year in the rate of breastfeeding.
The five-year plan by the Department of Health and Children was launched today at the start of an awareness campaign – Breastfeeding, It’s Perfectly Natural - which is being supported by Corrs drummer Caroline Corr.
click to read more...
The Strategic Action Plan for Ireland recommends education on breastfeeding for schoolchildren, regulation of the market for milk substitutes, regional breastfeeding co-ordinators and flexible working conditions for breastfeeding mothers.
Under the scheme, the Government hopes to see a sustained increase of 2% each year in the rate of breastfeeding.
The five-year plan by the Department of Health and Children was launched today at the start of an awareness campaign – Breastfeeding, It’s Perfectly Natural - which is being supported by Corrs drummer Caroline Corr.
click to read more...
Breastfeeding mums need more support (IrishHealth.com)
Better supports for mothers who breastfeed and the introduction of at least 10 regional breastfeeding coordinators are two of the key points contained in a new five year action plan aimed at improving breastfeeding rates in Ireland.
The Strategic Action Plan for Breastfeeding in Ireland has been launched as part of this year's awareness campaign, 'Breastfeeding, It's Perfectly Natural'.
Ireland continues to have one of the poorest breastfeeding rates in the European Union. In 2002, a National Committee on Breastfeeding was established to look at this issue. It has drawn up this new plan in order to bring about the changes necessary to improve these rates.
click to read more...
The Strategic Action Plan for Breastfeeding in Ireland has been launched as part of this year's awareness campaign, 'Breastfeeding, It's Perfectly Natural'.
Ireland continues to have one of the poorest breastfeeding rates in the European Union. In 2002, a National Committee on Breastfeeding was established to look at this issue. It has drawn up this new plan in order to bring about the changes necessary to improve these rates.
click to read more...
Sunday, October 02, 2005
Beauty and the breast (The Mercury)
MOTHERS who breastfeed their babies are making the world a more beautiful place -- literally.
Babies who are breastfed grow into more beautiful adults, a conference in Hobart heard yesterday.
The muscles used when infants breastfeed help create well positioned teeth and a well proportioned face, according to a visiting US dentist.
Dr Brian Palmer is renowned for his research into the benefits of breastfeeding, which he says helps create a nice "occlusion" -- the way teeth meet and function.
click to read more...
Babies who are breastfed grow into more beautiful adults, a conference in Hobart heard yesterday.
The muscles used when infants breastfeed help create well positioned teeth and a well proportioned face, according to a visiting US dentist.
Dr Brian Palmer is renowned for his research into the benefits of breastfeeding, which he says helps create a nice "occlusion" -- the way teeth meet and function.
click to read more...
Breast-Feeding Only Behind Closed Doors? (KPHO Phoenix)
(CBS 5 News) - Another round begins in the ongoing breast-feeding debate in Chandler. In Arizona, it's already against the law to expose certain parts of your body, but the City Council wants to make sure they're addressing the concerns of nursing mothers.
A task force led by the City Manager's Office met Thursday to try and reach a solution. The task force was created to look into the controversial issue following their August meeting.
click to read more...
A task force led by the City Manager's Office met Thursday to try and reach a solution. The task force was created to look into the controversial issue following their August meeting.
click to read more...
Sides fail to reach consensus on nursing in Chandler (East Valley Tribune)
When it comes to protecting nursing mothers in Chandler, breast-feeding advocates say it’s all or nothing.
"And it would be sad if it was nothing," said Amy Milliron, Tempe resident and member of Chandler’s breastfeeding task force. "But then we could work at the state level."
Chandler’s breast-feeding task force unanimously voted Thursday not to consider three proposed ordinances presented by city staff as alternatives to two versions rejected last week by the group.
It’s the only thing they agreed on.
East Valley Tribune | Daily Arizona news for Chandler, Gilbert, Tempe, Mesa, Scottsdale
"And it would be sad if it was nothing," said Amy Milliron, Tempe resident and member of Chandler’s breastfeeding task force. "But then we could work at the state level."
Chandler’s breast-feeding task force unanimously voted Thursday not to consider three proposed ordinances presented by city staff as alternatives to two versions rejected last week by the group.
It’s the only thing they agreed on.
East Valley Tribune | Daily Arizona news for Chandler, Gilbert, Tempe, Mesa, Scottsdale
The Challenge Was On (LTVNEWS.COM)
At 11am on Saturday October 1st, women and their children came together at 157 sites across Canada and the U.S. to take part in the Quintessence Breastfeeding Challenge.
Local Site Organizer Kyla Seaton says this is the second year the Sault had taken part in the event which began in 1999. Last year six Mothers attended the local site this year eight women participated with nine babies including a set of twins.
click to read more...
Local Site Organizer Kyla Seaton says this is the second year the Sault had taken part in the event which began in 1999. Last year six Mothers attended the local site this year eight women participated with nine babies including a set of twins.
click to read more...
Mothers try to set breastfeeding record (News 8 Austin)
Austin mothers and babies gathered in Republic Square Park for an attempt to set a record.
The Quintessence Breastfeeding Challenge united families at sites throughout Canada and the United States in an attempt to set a record for the most babies breastfeeding at one time.
click to read more...
The Quintessence Breastfeeding Challenge united families at sites throughout Canada and the United States in an attempt to set a record for the most babies breastfeeding at one time.
click to read more...
Moms take up breast-feeding challenge (Las Cruces Sun-News)
Eight Las Cruces mothers and their babies gathered Saturday at Young Park to be counted as participants in the largest breast-feeding event in the world.
Extending across Canada and United States, the Quintessence Foundation’s World Breastfeeding Challenge helps increase awareness and support for breast-feeding.
It was the third year Las Cruces moms took up the challenge.
click to read more...
Extending across Canada and United States, the Quintessence Foundation’s World Breastfeeding Challenge helps increase awareness and support for breast-feeding.
It was the third year Las Cruces moms took up the challenge.
click to read more...
Health Scan: Mother's milk improves in long-term nursing (Jerusalem Post)
The nutritional value of mother's milk has been found to be much higher during long-term breastfeeding (for more than a year) than when it is only for up to six months. This finding was disclosed by a research team headed by Dr. Dror Mendel and Dr. Ronit Lubetzky, pediatricians at the Lis Obstetrics Center at Tel Aviv's Sourasky Medical Center.
click to read more...
click to read more...
Saturday, October 01, 2005
Breastfeeding Is Most Effective Way to Ensure Infant Health and Safety After Hurricanes Katrina and Rita (Business Wire)
In the aftermath of emergencies like Hurricanes Katrina and Rita, helping mothers to initiate and continue breastfeeding is crucial. Under normal conditions, infants who are not breastfed are much more susceptible to infections and other illnesses, three times as likely to require hospitalization, and 21% more likely to die in the first year of life. Children in vulnerable situations have a special need for the extra protection that breastfeeding ensures, including infection-fighting factors, optimal nutrition, reliable food source, and comfort. This challenge, and many more, will be addressed in the upcoming new peer-reviewed journal Breastfeeding Medicine (www.liebertpub.com/bfm), the Official Journal of the Academy of Breastfeeding Medicine (www.bfmed.org).
In contrast to powdered formula, which needs to be mixed with water, human milk provides ample hydration and spares infants exposure to water contaminated during the destruction caused by natural disasters. Direct breastfeeding also prevents the illnesses attributable to bottles and nipples "washed" in unclean water.
Most mothers in the U.S. want to breastfeed, but many quit sooner than recommended, citing lack of sufficient societal support as one key reason. Women warrant extra support during crises like hurricanes and floods. Every effort should be made to rapidly reunite and keep infants with their mothers, provide space where they can feel comfortable nursing, and welcome moms to breastfeed whenever and wherever their babies show signs of hunger or distress.
click to read more...
In contrast to powdered formula, which needs to be mixed with water, human milk provides ample hydration and spares infants exposure to water contaminated during the destruction caused by natural disasters. Direct breastfeeding also prevents the illnesses attributable to bottles and nipples "washed" in unclean water.
Most mothers in the U.S. want to breastfeed, but many quit sooner than recommended, citing lack of sufficient societal support as one key reason. Women warrant extra support during crises like hurricanes and floods. Every effort should be made to rapidly reunite and keep infants with their mothers, provide space where they can feel comfortable nursing, and welcome moms to breastfeed whenever and wherever their babies show signs of hunger or distress.
click to read more...
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