Before the 20 th century, many newborns died if they could not breastfeed because of the widespread infectious diarrhea that plagued bottlefed infants. The advent of refrigeration and changes in the protein of formulas cut mortality rates, but many premature babies could not tolerate the cow-milk formulas.
It was not until the late 1940s that scientists began to study the factors and components in milk and determine the best course for small or sick newborns.
click to read more...
Tuesday, March 28, 2006
Tuesday, March 21, 2006
Ariz. bill on public nursing advances (www.azstarnet.com)
PHOENIX — Mothers would not have to leave public places under threat of arrest if they breast-feed their children under legislation approved unanimously Monday by the Senate Judiciary Committee.
The legislation would give women breast-feeding rights that would mean a business owner could not ask someone to leave for that reason.
The proposed law also would create an exemption from state laws that make it a crime for a woman to expose a nipple whenever anyone else is present and a reasonable person would be "offended or alarmed."
The measure, which already has been approved by the House, now goes to the full Senate.
click to read more...
The legislation would give women breast-feeding rights that would mean a business owner could not ask someone to leave for that reason.
The proposed law also would create an exemption from state laws that make it a crime for a woman to expose a nipple whenever anyone else is present and a reasonable person would be "offended or alarmed."
The measure, which already has been approved by the House, now goes to the full Senate.
click to read more...
Massachusetts Breastfeeding Coalition: Petition
Help us fight formula company gift bags.
The Massachusetts Breastfeeding Coalition has set up a petition on their website:
Should hospitals allow big drug companies into hospital rooms to market their products to patients? Governor Romney says yes. If you disagree, please consider signing a petition to support a ban against marketing of infant formula by hospitals. About 80% of formula in the US is sold by large pharmaceutical companies...
click to view!
The Massachusetts Breastfeeding Coalition has set up a petition on their website:
Should hospitals allow big drug companies into hospital rooms to market their products to patients? Governor Romney says yes. If you disagree, please consider signing a petition to support a ban against marketing of infant formula by hospitals. About 80% of formula in the US is sold by large pharmaceutical companies...
click to view!
Monday, March 20, 2006
Don't be boobs (The Anniston Star)
Legislators on Goat Hill may soon face a true dunderhead test. A bill working its way through the House would allow new moms to breast-feed their babies in public. Anyone with sense should vote for it; those who reject it rightly deserve to be tarred "anti-mother" and "anti-child."
Rep. Laura Hall, D-Madison, was moved to sponsor the legislation after hearing stories of mothers being asked to leave places where they were breast-feeding. Some folks need to grow up, it seems. There’s nothing remotely sexual about breast-feeding. It’s simply nature’s way of providing babies with the best possible nutrition and protection against disease.
click to read more...
Rep. Laura Hall, D-Madison, was moved to sponsor the legislation after hearing stories of mothers being asked to leave places where they were breast-feeding. Some folks need to grow up, it seems. There’s nothing remotely sexual about breast-feeding. It’s simply nature’s way of providing babies with the best possible nutrition and protection against disease.
click to read more...
Sunday, March 19, 2006
Breast-feeding a baby in public shouldn't be such a big deal (Huntsville Times - al.com)
The baby cried. The mother tried. In fact, she tried every trick in the book. The mother cuddled her child, jiggled her up and down, and offered her the plastic car keys she loved. Still, the baby cried. So, the mother, having used up all her ammunition, pulled out the big guns, so to speak.
The mother breast-fed the child, right there in the coffee shop. The effect was immediate. The baby hushed, then nursed, making those soft cooing noises young creatures make when they eat.
Safely hidden under her mother's red poncho, the child took her meal at a back booth. The mother and the child were discreet. Well, the mother was, anyway; the child had not yet learned about discretion. She just knew she had been miserable and now she was happy.
click to read more...
The mother breast-fed the child, right there in the coffee shop. The effect was immediate. The baby hushed, then nursed, making those soft cooing noises young creatures make when they eat.
Safely hidden under her mother's red poncho, the child took her meal at a back booth. The mother and the child were discreet. Well, the mother was, anyway; the child had not yet learned about discretion. She just knew she had been miserable and now she was happy.
click to read more...
Monday, March 06, 2006
Governor signs breast-feeding bill (AP Wire)
TOPEKA, Kan. - Gov. Kathleen Sebelius has signed legislation making it clear that a mother has the legal right to nurse a newborn in public.
"We all want children to have the opportunity to grow up happy and healthy," Sebelius said in a written statement Monday. "By reaffirming that mothers can breast-feed anywhere they have a right to be, we can help mothers and their babies."
The new law, which takes effect within two weeks, says a woman can breast-feed in any place she has a right to be.
click to read more...
"We all want children to have the opportunity to grow up happy and healthy," Sebelius said in a written statement Monday. "By reaffirming that mothers can breast-feed anywhere they have a right to be, we can help mothers and their babies."
The new law, which takes effect within two weeks, says a woman can breast-feed in any place she has a right to be.
click to read more...
Thursday, March 02, 2006
Breastfeeding should not be an issue in 2006 (The Courier)
IT IS hard to believe that, in 2006, we still squabble over the right of a woman to breastfeed in public.
Australian netballer Janine Illitch's request that she be allowed to express breast milk to feed her six-month-old son, Heath, during the Commonwealth Games was initially greeted with indecision.
Okay, expressing is a little different to breastfeeding, but it shouldn't be any more of a problem.
Janine will be staying with her team-mates at the Commonwealth Games Village, while baby Heath will be with family elsewhere.
Naturally, she is keen to provide her child with the ongoing nourishment that breastfeeding is - benefits espoused and encouraged by health authorities around the world.
Thankfully, Netball Australia has seen fit to allow Janine to express milk while she is away from her baby, but not before the issue created a mini-storm.
What should have been a straight-forward "no problem" response to her request turned into a debate about the rights of other athletes.
"There's not a lot of room (at the village) and the players might need their rest and she is in there expressing," coach Norma Plummer was quoted as saying.
click to read more...
Australian netballer Janine Illitch's request that she be allowed to express breast milk to feed her six-month-old son, Heath, during the Commonwealth Games was initially greeted with indecision.
Okay, expressing is a little different to breastfeeding, but it shouldn't be any more of a problem.
Janine will be staying with her team-mates at the Commonwealth Games Village, while baby Heath will be with family elsewhere.
Naturally, she is keen to provide her child with the ongoing nourishment that breastfeeding is - benefits espoused and encouraged by health authorities around the world.
Thankfully, Netball Australia has seen fit to allow Janine to express milk while she is away from her baby, but not before the issue created a mini-storm.
What should have been a straight-forward "no problem" response to her request turned into a debate about the rights of other athletes.
"There's not a lot of room (at the village) and the players might need their rest and she is in there expressing," coach Norma Plummer was quoted as saying.
click to read more...
Wednesday, March 01, 2006
Big win for Ilitch (Herald Sun)
AUSTRALIAN netballer Janine Ilitch was relieved last night to gain the full backing of Netball Australia in her quest to continue breastfeeding during the Commonwealth Games.
Netball Australia has bowed to public outrage over pressure to stop Ilitch from breastfeeding before the Games begin.
click to read more....
Netball Australia has bowed to public outrage over pressure to stop Ilitch from breastfeeding before the Games begin.
click to read more....
Breastmilk storm: netballer gets the OK (smh.com.au)
Netballer Janine Illitch will be allowed to express breastmilk in the Commonwealth Games village, despite reports team officials opposed the plan.
Netball Australia chief executive Lindsay Cane today said issues remained as the association had not yet seen the Games Village facilities, but coaches, support staff and players were united in supporting Illitch.
click to read more...
Netball Australia chief executive Lindsay Cane today said issues remained as the association had not yet seen the Games Village facilities, but coaches, support staff and players were united in supporting Illitch.
click to read more...
Village breastfeeding dilemma (Herald Sun)
TOP medal hope Janine Ilitch is under pressure to stop breastfeeding her new baby before the Games begin.
The netballer is due to move into the Commonwealth Games village soon.
But even though six-month-old baby Heath won't be with her in the village, the dual Commonwealth gold medallist is determined to continue breastfeeding -- by using a breast pump -- throughout the 10-day tournament.
Team officials have voiced concerns to her. However, the mum of two said it was her right and was prepared to take her own expressed milk into the village.
"I'm sure there's a way to do it," she said.
"I feel very strongly that I want to continue breastfeeding. It's my right.
"I'm just an ordinary woman who likes feeding and I want it to be my decision when I stop."
But Australian coach Norma Plummer said facilities may not be appropriate.
click to read more...
The netballer is due to move into the Commonwealth Games village soon.
But even though six-month-old baby Heath won't be with her in the village, the dual Commonwealth gold medallist is determined to continue breastfeeding -- by using a breast pump -- throughout the 10-day tournament.
Team officials have voiced concerns to her. However, the mum of two said it was her right and was prepared to take her own expressed milk into the village.
"I'm sure there's a way to do it," she said.
"I feel very strongly that I want to continue breastfeeding. It's my right.
"I'm just an ordinary woman who likes feeding and I want it to be my decision when I stop."
But Australian coach Norma Plummer said facilities may not be appropriate.
click to read more...
Can Breast Milk Help Treat Cancer? (Click2Houston.com)
BALTIMORE -- In the war against cancer, chemotherapy is often the weapon of choice. But one woman believes an unconventional and controversial therapy has added months to her life, Baltimore television station WBAL reported.
With every delivery of human breast milk comes a package of hope for Dorothy and Liston George. Dorothy was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in January 2005.
"We were told, initially, that the chemo would give us a few months," Liston George said.
"At that point, I was ready to change anything," Dorothy George said.
WBAL reported the milk is prescribed from the Breast Milk Bank at Christiana Hospital in Delaware, where it is screened and processed for safety.
click to read more...
With every delivery of human breast milk comes a package of hope for Dorothy and Liston George. Dorothy was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in January 2005.
"We were told, initially, that the chemo would give us a few months," Liston George said.
"At that point, I was ready to change anything," Dorothy George said.
WBAL reported the milk is prescribed from the Breast Milk Bank at Christiana Hospital in Delaware, where it is screened and processed for safety.
click to read more...
Proposal Seeks To Ease Workplace Breast-Feeding (ChannelOklahoma.com)
OKLAHOMA CITY -- Most Oklahoma newborns aren't getting the best nutrition possible.
Local experts say that's because many mothers stop breast-feeding too early or never start all so they can go back to work. However, Oklahoma lawmakers want to make breast-feeding in the workplace more comfortable for mothers.
click to read more...
Local experts say that's because many mothers stop breast-feeding too early or never start all so they can go back to work. However, Oklahoma lawmakers want to make breast-feeding in the workplace more comfortable for mothers.
click to read more...
Monday, February 27, 2006
An oddly timed aside in debate over formula (The Boston Globe)
(Letter to the editor)
THE PIECE by Joanna Weiss (''Lactation nation: A few things I wish the breast-feeding advocates had told me," Ideas, Feb. 19) was interestingly timed, as debate rages over whether Massachusetts should reverse the Public Health Department's restriction on manufacturers' so-called gift bags of infant formula, which are given out to new mothers at hospitals (''Romney to undo ban on formula," City & Region, Feb. 18).
click to read more...
THE PIECE by Joanna Weiss (''Lactation nation: A few things I wish the breast-feeding advocates had told me," Ideas, Feb. 19) was interestingly timed, as debate rages over whether Massachusetts should reverse the Public Health Department's restriction on manufacturers' so-called gift bags of infant formula, which are given out to new mothers at hospitals (''Romney to undo ban on formula," City & Region, Feb. 18).
click to read more...
Sunday, February 26, 2006
Public breast-feeding is toplessness next? (The Sun News)
(A letter to the editor)
I strongly disagree with the S.C. House of Representatives approving a bill allowing women to breast-feed their infants in public places. This is not only disgusting, it is also a wedge into our society allowing such lewdness, only one step away from the final goal of allowing topless bathing on our beaches, like uncivilized countries now do. Anybody can see this creeping toplessness is their final goal.
Mothers have been bottle-feeding their infants for over a century. For the S.C. House to fall for this creeping toplessness is absurd.
click to read more...
I strongly disagree with the S.C. House of Representatives approving a bill allowing women to breast-feed their infants in public places. This is not only disgusting, it is also a wedge into our society allowing such lewdness, only one step away from the final goal of allowing topless bathing on our beaches, like uncivilized countries now do. Anybody can see this creeping toplessness is their final goal.
Mothers have been bottle-feeding their infants for over a century. For the S.C. House to fall for this creeping toplessness is absurd.
click to read more...
Power of moms moves through halls of Legislature (The Post and Courier)
Their rallying cry for breast-feeding rights: It's all about the babies
Among regular citizens who dig in their heels to lobby the state Legislature, members of the South Carolina Breastfeeding Action Committee are a different breed. They don't have a beef about property taxes, they're not especially concerned about where the Confederate flag flies and although they like open spaces where their kids can run and play, they're not there to fight for environmental conservation.
This is just about the babies.
It started with just one baby, a hungry, howling 2-month-old girl. In a lingerie store. And a mom who got mad when the store refused to allow her use of a dressing room to nurse the baby.
Then, there were dozens of other moms, feeding their babies in protest under the store's pink and white awnings. A movement was born, a bill was authored, suggesting that women have a right to breast-feed in public whenever they need to, and now, it's partway to becoming a law in the Palmetto State.
click to read more...
Among regular citizens who dig in their heels to lobby the state Legislature, members of the South Carolina Breastfeeding Action Committee are a different breed. They don't have a beef about property taxes, they're not especially concerned about where the Confederate flag flies and although they like open spaces where their kids can run and play, they're not there to fight for environmental conservation.
This is just about the babies.
It started with just one baby, a hungry, howling 2-month-old girl. In a lingerie store. And a mom who got mad when the store refused to allow her use of a dressing room to nurse the baby.
Then, there were dozens of other moms, feeding their babies in protest under the store's pink and white awnings. A movement was born, a bill was authored, suggesting that women have a right to breast-feed in public whenever they need to, and now, it's partway to becoming a law in the Palmetto State.
click to read more...
Friday, February 24, 2006
Hathor- The Evolution Revolution
Oh, I think I will be getting this one as a print, thank you very much... I could laugh if I weren't so sad about it.
click to view
click to view
Thursday, February 23, 2006
Does Free Baby Formula Discourage Breast-feeding? (ABC News)
A Government Study Suggests That a Federal Program Designed to Aid Low-Income Mothers May Inadvertently Discourage Them From Breast-Feeding
Feb. 23, 2006 — While it has been a common practice since the beginning of time, breast-feeding has also been a source of constant debate and discussion. The latest controversy is no exception.
A new study by the Government Accountability Office suggests that a federal program designed to aid low-income mothers may inadvertently discourage them from breast-feeding because it provides them with free infant formula in hospitals.
While the U.S. government encourages mothers to breast-feed their infants, the study reports that low-income mothers who participate in the federal Women, Infants and Children health and nutrition program have significantly lower breast-feeding rates than the rest of the population.
click to read more....
Feb. 23, 2006 — While it has been a common practice since the beginning of time, breast-feeding has also been a source of constant debate and discussion. The latest controversy is no exception.
A new study by the Government Accountability Office suggests that a federal program designed to aid low-income mothers may inadvertently discourage them from breast-feeding because it provides them with free infant formula in hospitals.
While the U.S. government encourages mothers to breast-feed their infants, the study reports that low-income mothers who participate in the federal Women, Infants and Children health and nutrition program have significantly lower breast-feeding rates than the rest of the population.
click to read more....
Formula is a poor substitute for breast-feeding (The Patriot Ledger)
READER'S VIEW: Formula is a poor substitute for breast-feeding
In regards to hospitals stopping the practice of giving infant formula to new mothers, the risks of feeding babies with anything other than the milk nature designed for them are real.
Pick up a can of formula and read the ingredients to see that it is quite inferior to breast milk. It is mainly made up of sugar and oils and a protein, such as cow’s milk, soy or whey. It does not contain antibodies, digestive enzymes or immunoglobulin.
Babies that are fed formula are 14 times more likely to be hospitalized in their first year. These babies are more prone to respiratory illnesses, ear infections and diarrhea, according to the book, ‘‘Ultimate Breastfeeding Book of Answers,’’ by Jack Newman, M.D.
click to read more...
In regards to hospitals stopping the practice of giving infant formula to new mothers, the risks of feeding babies with anything other than the milk nature designed for them are real.
Pick up a can of formula and read the ingredients to see that it is quite inferior to breast milk. It is mainly made up of sugar and oils and a protein, such as cow’s milk, soy or whey. It does not contain antibodies, digestive enzymes or immunoglobulin.
Babies that are fed formula are 14 times more likely to be hospitalized in their first year. These babies are more prone to respiratory illnesses, ear infections and diarrhea, according to the book, ‘‘Ultimate Breastfeeding Book of Answers,’’ by Jack Newman, M.D.
click to read more...
School group wary of breast-feeding bill (Lexington Herald-Leader)
FRANKFORT - The Kentucky School Boards Association is concerned about a bill the Senate approved yesterday that would permit a mother to breast-feed her baby in any location, public or private.
"We're concerned about the possibility of nursing mothers in classes with other students," said Brad Hughes, spokesman for the association. "We don't want to kill the bill but we don't want a school to be in a sexual harassment lawsuit for not letting a mother nurse her child in a classroom with other students."
click to read more....
"We're concerned about the possibility of nursing mothers in classes with other students," said Brad Hughes, spokesman for the association. "We don't want to kill the bill but we don't want a school to be in a sexual harassment lawsuit for not letting a mother nurse her child in a classroom with other students."
click to read more....
Tuesday, February 21, 2006
Hospital gift bag ban put on hold - The Boston Globe
The panel that sets public health policy in Massachusetts today put on hold a ban against the distribution of gift bags containing infant formula that are routinely distributed to new mothers in hospital maternity wards.
Governor Mitt Romney, who said he believes mothers should have a choice over how to feed their infants, had asked the Public Health Council to repeal the prohibition, which was set to go into effect in July. The panel voted unanimously to suspend its December approval of the ban while directing public health authorities to further review the proposal and report back in three months.
The board's action assures that the controversy over the gift-bag ban will remain alive at least until May, with proponents of breast-feeding and formula makers preparing for further battle.
Advocates of the prohibition maintain that formula giveaways discourage mothers from breast-feeding. Medical studies have shown that breast-fed children are less likely to suffer respiratory and gastrointestinal ailments, and that women who nurse have lower rates of breast and ovarian cancer.
click to read more...
Governor Mitt Romney, who said he believes mothers should have a choice over how to feed their infants, had asked the Public Health Council to repeal the prohibition, which was set to go into effect in July. The panel voted unanimously to suspend its December approval of the ban while directing public health authorities to further review the proposal and report back in three months.
The board's action assures that the controversy over the gift-bag ban will remain alive at least until May, with proponents of breast-feeding and formula makers preparing for further battle.
Advocates of the prohibition maintain that formula giveaways discourage mothers from breast-feeding. Medical studies have shown that breast-fed children are less likely to suffer respiratory and gastrointestinal ailments, and that women who nurse have lower rates of breast and ovarian cancer.
click to read more...
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