WHITBY -- When Heather Beadle took her newborn daughter, Caitlyn, to the newly-opened Durham Region breastfeeding clinic in Whitby, she found exactly what she needed in order to carry on nursing her baby girl.
"It was very personal attention," said Ms. Beadle, as she cradled her thriving eight-week-old, as the clinic celebrated its official grand opening. "They brought us into a small room, developed a plan suited to our individual needs. It was very helpful."
So helpful, in fact, that Ms. Beadle, who has overcome the normal new mom and baby nursing difficulties of troubling latching and supply issues, comes back on occasion, for a little reassurance.
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Saturday, January 28, 2006
Nature's best food difficult for public to swallow (WCFCourier.com)
Breast-feeding. That one single word has the power to spark heated public debate.
In 2004, an Iowa City woman was kicked out of a West Branch restaurant because she was nursing her baby. The owner, and then the owner's wife, told her she was upsetting other customers and asked her to feed her baby in the restroom. She refused, so she and her family were then asked to leave.
As a nursing mother, I'd like to ask a question: Why couldn't those customers who were so offended in that restaurant have turned their heads to look in a different direction?
Every time I go out in public with my newborn and he gets hungry, I think of this story as I look for the most unobtrusive place to feed my baby. On my most recent excursion, I found myself huddled on a triangular stool in a dressing room at a department store. The stool was barely big enough for me to sit on, let alone nurse comfortably. But it was either that, let my baby scream at the top of his lungs or plop down on the floor between clothing racks to quench his hunger.
click to read more...
In 2004, an Iowa City woman was kicked out of a West Branch restaurant because she was nursing her baby. The owner, and then the owner's wife, told her she was upsetting other customers and asked her to feed her baby in the restroom. She refused, so she and her family were then asked to leave.
As a nursing mother, I'd like to ask a question: Why couldn't those customers who were so offended in that restaurant have turned their heads to look in a different direction?
Every time I go out in public with my newborn and he gets hungry, I think of this story as I look for the most unobtrusive place to feed my baby. On my most recent excursion, I found myself huddled on a triangular stool in a dressing room at a department store. The stool was barely big enough for me to sit on, let alone nurse comfortably. But it was either that, let my baby scream at the top of his lungs or plop down on the floor between clothing racks to quench his hunger.
click to read more...
Starting Out Right (Royal Gazette)
Breast feeding is meant to be a natural thing, and yet, for some women, particularly new mothers, it doesn’t come naturally.
That is why Lisa Ming-Blyden, a health visitor for the Department of Health, decided to become a certified lactation consultant. A lactation consultant basically gives advice to mothers who are having trouble breast feeding and shows them the proper technique. Many women become frustrated during their baby’s early days of life and give up and switch to a bottle.
“Breast feeding can be more complicated than just sticking the baby on the breast,” said Ms Ming-Blyden. “Many women today have not had the experience of observing other women breast feeding. They need some help.”
click to read more...
That is why Lisa Ming-Blyden, a health visitor for the Department of Health, decided to become a certified lactation consultant. A lactation consultant basically gives advice to mothers who are having trouble breast feeding and shows them the proper technique. Many women become frustrated during their baby’s early days of life and give up and switch to a bottle.
“Breast feeding can be more complicated than just sticking the baby on the breast,” said Ms Ming-Blyden. “Many women today have not had the experience of observing other women breast feeding. They need some help.”
click to read more...
Friday, January 27, 2006
Not your mother's breast milk (CNN.com)
ATLANTA, Georgia (CNN) -- One of my first assignments for CNN was to profile a young mother who was part of a government program encouraging women to breast-feed their babies.
We arrived at her home in Mississippi, and she started to breast-feed for our cameras. The baby looked to be about 6 months old. I remembered that on the phone, she'd said her child was 6 weeks old.
"Did I misunderstand?" I asked. "Oh no," she answered. "My baby's sleeping. I don't want to wake her up, so I'll just nurse my sister's baby."
click to read more...
We arrived at her home in Mississippi, and she started to breast-feed for our cameras. The baby looked to be about 6 months old. I remembered that on the phone, she'd said her child was 6 weeks old.
"Did I misunderstand?" I asked. "Oh no," she answered. "My baby's sleeping. I don't want to wake her up, so I'll just nurse my sister's baby."
click to read more...
Thursday, January 26, 2006
Breast-feeding activists to hold `nurse-in' at an Ann Arbor YMCA (mlive.com)
ANN ARBOR, Mich. (AP) — Some mothers who want the local YMCA to change its policy against breast-feeding in the swimming pool area plans a "nurse-in" for this weekend.
"We're going to sit and nurse our babies, hopefully to get our point across," said Krista Dragun, one of the organizers of Saturday's event. "The plan is to show that there's a large community outcry, and we're saying: `This policy is not OK, and it needs to change.' Our goal is to get them to have a more mother-baby friendly policy in their pool area."
Dragun said details of the nurse-in were still being worked out, but she expected the mothers to meet at 1 p.m. in the lobby of the building for a peaceful demonstration. The mothers won't try to nurse in the pool area, she told The Ann Arbor News.
click to read more...
"We're going to sit and nurse our babies, hopefully to get our point across," said Krista Dragun, one of the organizers of Saturday's event. "The plan is to show that there's a large community outcry, and we're saying: `This policy is not OK, and it needs to change.' Our goal is to get them to have a more mother-baby friendly policy in their pool area."
Dragun said details of the nurse-in were still being worked out, but she expected the mothers to meet at 1 p.m. in the lobby of the building for a peaceful demonstration. The mothers won't try to nurse in the pool area, she told The Ann Arbor News.
click to read more...
Breast-feeding activists to hold `nurse-in' at an Ann Arbor YMCA (WLNS.com)
ANN ARBOR, Mich. "We're going to sit and nurse our babies," says one of the mothers who plan to take part in a "nurse-in" at the Ann Arbor Y-M-C-A.
click to read more....
click to read more....
In the News - How We Did It
Developing regulations that promote breastfeeding: The role of the Massachusetts Breastfeeding Coalition
In December of 2005, Massachusetts put forth newly revised hospital regulations that significantly strengthened breastfeeding education, promotion and support in the state’s maternity hospitals. The new regulations gained considerable press because they established Massachusetts as the first state to prohibit the direct marketing of infant formula to mothers. Perhaps more importantly, they were part of a broader effort to promote high-quality family-centered care, set higher standards for the availability of lactation services, require on-going breastfeeding education for medical staff, and improve documentation and discharge planning of infant feeding practices.
Since Massachusetts is a pioneer in the development of the breastfeeding-friendly policies, many people have asked us how we did it. In short, the new regulations are the result of a successful alliance between the Massachusetts Breastfeeding Coalition, consumers, health care providers, and our state Department of Public Health (DPH). The Massachusetts Breastfeeding Coalition (MBC) spearheaded the effort by finding a key champion in the legislature and working with DPH to develop evidence-based guideline for breastfeeding promotion in the hospital setting. Massachusetts’ new regulations are a great example of the ability of a broad coalition to create changes through hospital policies, provider practices, state regulations, and legislation.
click to read more...
In December of 2005, Massachusetts put forth newly revised hospital regulations that significantly strengthened breastfeeding education, promotion and support in the state’s maternity hospitals. The new regulations gained considerable press because they established Massachusetts as the first state to prohibit the direct marketing of infant formula to mothers. Perhaps more importantly, they were part of a broader effort to promote high-quality family-centered care, set higher standards for the availability of lactation services, require on-going breastfeeding education for medical staff, and improve documentation and discharge planning of infant feeding practices.
Since Massachusetts is a pioneer in the development of the breastfeeding-friendly policies, many people have asked us how we did it. In short, the new regulations are the result of a successful alliance between the Massachusetts Breastfeeding Coalition, consumers, health care providers, and our state Department of Public Health (DPH). The Massachusetts Breastfeeding Coalition (MBC) spearheaded the effort by finding a key champion in the legislature and working with DPH to develop evidence-based guideline for breastfeeding promotion in the hospital setting. Massachusetts’ new regulations are a great example of the ability of a broad coalition to create changes through hospital policies, provider practices, state regulations, and legislation.
click to read more...
Wednesday, January 18, 2006
Fired Nurse Sues Baptist Hospital Over Breast Pumping Issue (WREG-TV Memphis)
Memphis - Angela Smith adores her one year old son Dylan. But in May 2004, after returning to her nursing job at Baptist Hospital Collierville after having Dylan, she was in for a shock.
She inquired about using her fifteen minute work breaks to go into a designated area and use a breast pump to provide his milk. "They told me there would be no problem. They had people that have pumped before. They allowed me to use a pump from the hospital and allowed me to pump in Labor and Delivery in a private room." says Smith.
From May to January, she says everything was fine. Angela Smith says she was never told she had done anything wrong or that there was a problem with her using her break to take care of her motherly duties. But last January her supervisors called her in and told her she would be suspended.
click to read more...
She inquired about using her fifteen minute work breaks to go into a designated area and use a breast pump to provide his milk. "They told me there would be no problem. They had people that have pumped before. They allowed me to use a pump from the hospital and allowed me to pump in Labor and Delivery in a private room." says Smith.
From May to January, she says everything was fine. Angela Smith says she was never told she had done anything wrong or that there was a problem with her using her break to take care of her motherly duties. But last January her supervisors called her in and told her she would be suspended.
click to read more...
Saturday, January 14, 2006
Bills Proposed to Support Breast-Feeding Moms (WLBT 3)
It's a natural act that's as old as man himself: a mother breastfeeding her child. But in Mississippi, it volates obscenity laws, and a woman could be prosecuted for it.
Evelyn Garner Araujo says, although she's never been hauled off to jail, she has been asked to leave public places while breastfeeding.
"It's the thought of what I'm doing that bothers them. All I'm doing is feeding my child," says the Jackson mother of three boys.
click to read more...
Evelyn Garner Araujo says, although she's never been hauled off to jail, she has been asked to leave public places while breastfeeding.
"It's the thought of what I'm doing that bothers them. All I'm doing is feeding my child," says the Jackson mother of three boys.
click to read more...
Potential new breast feeding law gets Knoxville moms approval (WATE.com)
KNOXVILLE (WATE) -- Where you can and can't legally breast feed in Tennessee may change soon and Thursday, Knoxville mothers weighed in.
Two Nashville area legislators hope to sponsor a law in favor of public nursing, so mothers won't get into decency debates with strangers.
Thursday was a perfect day for a walk in Lakeshore Park. But what if you decided to stop and rest on a bench and the woman next to you was breast feeding? According to the women who spoke with 6 News, it wouldn't be a problem.
click to read more...
Two Nashville area legislators hope to sponsor a law in favor of public nursing, so mothers won't get into decency debates with strangers.
Thursday was a perfect day for a walk in Lakeshore Park. But what if you decided to stop and rest on a bench and the woman next to you was breast feeding? According to the women who spoke with 6 News, it wouldn't be a problem.
click to read more...
Lead levels in breast milk invariably low (Reuters.com)
NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - Findings from a new study should provide some reassurance to breastfeeding mothers that even if they've been exposed to high amounts of lead, very little of this toxin is excreted in their breast milk. In addition, the use of calcium pills may help bring down lead levels even further.
Dr. Adrienne S. Ettinger, of Harvard School of Public Health, Boston, and colleagues examined the contribution of cumulative lead exposure, breastfeeding practices, and calcium intake to levels of lead in breast milk among 367 women in Mexico City.
The investigators measured levels of lead in the blood and breast milk of the mothers at 1, 4, and 7 months postpartum, and obtained bone lead measurements at 1 month postpartum. Results of the study are published in the American Journal of Epidemiology.
The average levels of lead in breast milk at 1, 4 and 7 months were 1.4, 1.2, and 0.9 micrograms per liter, respectively -- a significant decreasing trend over the course of lactation.
click to read more...
Dr. Adrienne S. Ettinger, of Harvard School of Public Health, Boston, and colleagues examined the contribution of cumulative lead exposure, breastfeeding practices, and calcium intake to levels of lead in breast milk among 367 women in Mexico City.
The investigators measured levels of lead in the blood and breast milk of the mothers at 1, 4, and 7 months postpartum, and obtained bone lead measurements at 1 month postpartum. Results of the study are published in the American Journal of Epidemiology.
The average levels of lead in breast milk at 1, 4 and 7 months were 1.4, 1.2, and 0.9 micrograms per liter, respectively -- a significant decreasing trend over the course of lactation.
click to read more...
Privacy for breast-feeding (Rocky Mountain News)
State Sen. Deanna Hanna wants employers to provide a private room for breast-feeding mothers, saying they deserve better than having to seek privacy in bathroom stall.
Hanna, D-Lakewood, said that accommodating nursing mothers would give infants a healthier start in life, cut down on missed days at work to care for sick infants and save on medical costs.
"It's a good deal all the way around for babies, mothers, businesses and health-care costs," she said.
She plans to introduce a bill during this legislative session.
click to read more...
Hanna, D-Lakewood, said that accommodating nursing mothers would give infants a healthier start in life, cut down on missed days at work to care for sick infants and save on medical costs.
"It's a good deal all the way around for babies, mothers, businesses and health-care costs," she said.
She plans to introduce a bill during this legislative session.
click to read more...
Thursday, January 12, 2006
Breast-feeding in public may get protections (Tennessean.com)
FRANKLIN — Elizabeth "Liz" Rich is a mom on the go.
On a cold November day, the mother of four went to the Williamson County Recreation Center to work out. When she went to the child-care room to pick up her 8-month-old daughter, she was asked to fill out some paperwork.
Rich, 33, decided to nurse her baby while she filled out the forms.
"They told me, 'You can't breast-feed in here. It's the policy of the rec center,' " Rich said. "They told me to go into a bathroom. I was kind of mad about it and starting to think it's not right." Rich called Williamson County Mayor Rogers Anderson about the issue.
County officials have since said that breast-feeding will be allowed in any county building. "No one had ever asked us about this before," Anderson said.
click to read more...
On a cold November day, the mother of four went to the Williamson County Recreation Center to work out. When she went to the child-care room to pick up her 8-month-old daughter, she was asked to fill out some paperwork.
Rich, 33, decided to nurse her baby while she filled out the forms.
"They told me, 'You can't breast-feed in here. It's the policy of the rec center,' " Rich said. "They told me to go into a bathroom. I was kind of mad about it and starting to think it's not right." Rich called Williamson County Mayor Rogers Anderson about the issue.
County officials have since said that breast-feeding will be allowed in any county building. "No one had ever asked us about this before," Anderson said.
click to read more...
Wednesday, January 11, 2006
Advocate fights to re-open breastfeeding clinic (Canadian Jewish News)
A local mother who says a world-renowned expert on breastfeeding taught one of her children how to eat is fighting to re-open one of his Toronto-area clinics that was closed recently.
Last month, North York General Hospital shut down a clinic run by Dr. Jack Newman, a Toronto pediatrician who each year helps more than 1,800 mothers learn how to feed their babies.
The facility was the last in a number of local hospital-based clinics run by Newman. Another one at St. Michael’s Hospital was closed last spring.
But Thornhill social worker and mother of three Esther Goldstein said Newman provides a unique and vital service for moms who have been discharged from hospital and are tempted to turn to formula if they run into challenges in breastfeeding their newborns.
click to read more...
Last month, North York General Hospital shut down a clinic run by Dr. Jack Newman, a Toronto pediatrician who each year helps more than 1,800 mothers learn how to feed their babies.
The facility was the last in a number of local hospital-based clinics run by Newman. Another one at St. Michael’s Hospital was closed last spring.
But Thornhill social worker and mother of three Esther Goldstein said Newman provides a unique and vital service for moms who have been discharged from hospital and are tempted to turn to formula if they run into challenges in breastfeeding their newborns.
click to read more...
Breast-feeding mom runs afoul of Y's pool policy (Ann Arbor News)
An Ann Arbor woman is upset that the YMCA will not allow her to breast-feed her baby in the swimming pool area.
Kelly Fuks said she was told it's a distraction to the lifeguards.
The Y says it is a health issue because it violates a "no food and drink'' rule in the pool area. Officials say she can breast-feed in many other parts of the building.
Breast-feeding mom runs afoul of Y's pool policy
Kelly Fuks said she was told it's a distraction to the lifeguards.
The Y says it is a health issue because it violates a "no food and drink'' rule in the pool area. Officials say she can breast-feed in many other parts of the building.
Breast-feeding mom runs afoul of Y's pool policy
Thursday, January 05, 2006
Breast-feeding mother receives letter of apology (The Eureka Reporter)
K.K. Tetrault, a Eureka resident who alleged that a SkyWest flight attendant told her to stop breast-feeding her 7-month-old son, Ronan, was sent a recent letter of apology by SkyWest Airlines Inc.
“I feel very satisfied,” Tetrault said. “I think they acknowledged my discomfort and they were sincerely sorry about the occurrence and made amends.”
Tetrault was on a flight home from Fresno on Dec. 4 when, she said, a SkyWest flight attendant told her to stop nursing her baby out of concern for the other passengers on the flight.
Tetrault said the flight attendant also encouraged her to wait until the plane arrived at the San Francisco International Airport before continuing to nurse her child, but in the meantime was offered a blanket to cover herself and child.
After the plane landed, she said, the flight attendant said the request to stop breast-feeding was a matter of company policy.
click to read more...
“I feel very satisfied,” Tetrault said. “I think they acknowledged my discomfort and they were sincerely sorry about the occurrence and made amends.”
Tetrault was on a flight home from Fresno on Dec. 4 when, she said, a SkyWest flight attendant told her to stop nursing her baby out of concern for the other passengers on the flight.
Tetrault said the flight attendant also encouraged her to wait until the plane arrived at the San Francisco International Airport before continuing to nurse her child, but in the meantime was offered a blanket to cover herself and child.
After the plane landed, she said, the flight attendant said the request to stop breast-feeding was a matter of company policy.
click to read more...
Breast-feeding mother receives letter of apology (The Eureka Reporter)
K.K. Tetrault, a Eureka resident who alleged that a SkyWest flight attendant told her to stop breast-feeding her 7-month-old son, Ronan, was sent a recent letter of apology by SkyWest Airlines Inc.
“I feel very satisfied,” Tetrault said. “I think they acknowledged my discomfort and they were sincerely sorry about the occurrence and made amends.”
Tetrault was on a flight home from Fresno on Dec. 4 when, she said, a SkyWest flight attendant told her to stop nursing her baby out of concern for the other passengers on the flight.
Tetrault said the flight attendant also encouraged her to wait until the plane arrived at the San Francisco International Airport before continuing to nurse her child, but in the meantime was offered a blanket to cover herself and child.
After the plane landed, she said, the flight attendant said the request to stop breast-feeding was a matter of company policy.
click to read more...
“I feel very satisfied,” Tetrault said. “I think they acknowledged my discomfort and they were sincerely sorry about the occurrence and made amends.”
Tetrault was on a flight home from Fresno on Dec. 4 when, she said, a SkyWest flight attendant told her to stop nursing her baby out of concern for the other passengers on the flight.
Tetrault said the flight attendant also encouraged her to wait until the plane arrived at the San Francisco International Airport before continuing to nurse her child, but in the meantime was offered a blanket to cover herself and child.
After the plane landed, she said, the flight attendant said the request to stop breast-feeding was a matter of company policy.
click to read more...
Tillsonburg restaurants say “Of course” to Breastfeeding Friendly Initiative (Tillsonburg News)
With the Oxford Health Unit launching a Breast-feeding Friendly restaurant initiative, many in the industry are asking why?
Not because they don’t agree with breast-feeding while dining, rather the consensus is, it shouldn't be an issue. Every restaurant should support nursing mothers.
Vasco Serrador, owner of The Manse, said and added that catering to breast-feeding woman should go without saying. “Everyone’s got to eat,” he said. “And there's always a place for breast-feeding mothers here.”
For Chris Kyriakopoulos, owner of Nick’s Family Restaurant, meeting the needs of every customer, including breast-feeding mothers, is paramount.
“We try to facilitate to customers needs as much as possible,” said Kyriakopoulos. “We have a private area to accommodate breast-feeding mothers, and we help them anyway we can.”
click to read more...
Not because they don’t agree with breast-feeding while dining, rather the consensus is, it shouldn't be an issue. Every restaurant should support nursing mothers.
Vasco Serrador, owner of The Manse, said and added that catering to breast-feeding woman should go without saying. “Everyone’s got to eat,” he said. “And there's always a place for breast-feeding mothers here.”
For Chris Kyriakopoulos, owner of Nick’s Family Restaurant, meeting the needs of every customer, including breast-feeding mothers, is paramount.
“We try to facilitate to customers needs as much as possible,” said Kyriakopoulos. “We have a private area to accommodate breast-feeding mothers, and we help them anyway we can.”
click to read more...
Moms who smoke after delivery breastfeed less (Reuters.co.uk)
NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - Women who smoke more than 10 cigarettes a day after giving birth may wean their babies off breastmilk much more quickly than nonsmokers, study findings show.
"A lot of public health programs put lots of attention to smoking cessation during pregnancy, but they do not educate women about not smoking after delivery," study author Dr. Jihong Liu, of the University of South Carolina, told Reuters Health.
For those who have a "misunderstanding that smoking postpartum is okay" for babies, Liu said the shortened breastfeeding duration among these women is "one adverse consequence."
Liu conducted the research as a maternal and child health epidemiology fellow at the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in Atlanta, Georgia.
Little research has evaluated the association between women's smoking patterns before, during, and after pregnancy and their duration of breastfeeding. To investigate, Liu and her colleagues analyzed data from more than 3,000 women who were involved in the 2000 and 2001 Oregon Pregnancy Risk Assessment Monitoring System, an ongoing surveillance system that collects information on the behavior and experiences of new mothers in that state.
click to read more...
"A lot of public health programs put lots of attention to smoking cessation during pregnancy, but they do not educate women about not smoking after delivery," study author Dr. Jihong Liu, of the University of South Carolina, told Reuters Health.
For those who have a "misunderstanding that smoking postpartum is okay" for babies, Liu said the shortened breastfeeding duration among these women is "one adverse consequence."
Liu conducted the research as a maternal and child health epidemiology fellow at the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in Atlanta, Georgia.
Little research has evaluated the association between women's smoking patterns before, during, and after pregnancy and their duration of breastfeeding. To investigate, Liu and her colleagues analyzed data from more than 3,000 women who were involved in the 2000 and 2001 Oregon Pregnancy Risk Assessment Monitoring System, an ongoing surveillance system that collects information on the behavior and experiences of new mothers in that state.
click to read more...
Wednesday, January 04, 2006
Formula for success? Breastfeeding zealots have gone into overdrive (The Gleaner)
Leave it to Massachusetts to get on the breastfeeding-zealotry platform.
The legislature there has just banned -- yes, banned -- hospitals throughout the state from giving out free samples of infant formula, provided by formula companies, to new mothers.
Typically, a new mom, before she leaves the hospital, will get an allotment of infant formula with coupons for more. (The stuff is really expensive.) The ostensible goal in banning the giveaways is to "encourage" the practice of breast-feeding baby, verses giving him the much-despised even occasional bottle.
What a crummy way to start the new year.
click to read more....
The legislature there has just banned -- yes, banned -- hospitals throughout the state from giving out free samples of infant formula, provided by formula companies, to new mothers.
Typically, a new mom, before she leaves the hospital, will get an allotment of infant formula with coupons for more. (The stuff is really expensive.) The ostensible goal in banning the giveaways is to "encourage" the practice of breast-feeding baby, verses giving him the much-despised even occasional bottle.
What a crummy way to start the new year.
click to read more....
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