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Breastfeeding Representative from Georgia
As women continue to fight for breastfeeding rights in the workplace, it is inspiring to read the story of former Georgia state representative Sally Harrell featured by Katherine Kam in the Babytalk magazine article “The Breastfeeding Mom’s Bill of Rights”:
he more women who are out there speaking up for their rights, the more the prejudices will get chipped away. Georgia state representative Sally Harrell is one such trailblazer. When her son, Joseph, was 10 days old, the state House of… More »
Breastfeeding News for December 1
In addition to the report of yet another breastfeeding discrimination incident that I discussed here, three stories caught my eye today.
1. Tanya at the Motherwear Breastfeeding Blog presents some timely news for World AIDS Day. The World Health Organization announced big changes in the breastfeeding recommendation for HIV-positive mothers in developing countries. In general, HIV-positive mothers are advised to feed their babies breast milk substitutes only if it is “acceptable, feasible, affordable, sustainable and safe.” If such feeding is not… More »
Breastfeeding Experiences in the Hospital
Welcome to the November Carnival of Breastfeeding! This month mothers share their experiences of breastfeeding in the hospital. I rather prefer a home birth myself, so this time I’m leaving the job up to two mothers who wrote to me to share their experiences. At the end of these comments, check out the links to the other carnival participants!
Sutter Davis Hospital in Davis, California
Stephanie Cassidy emailed me the following:
I just wanted to say that my experience at Sutter Davis Hospital… More »
The “I Told You So”
Welcome to the May Carnival of Breastfeeding! This month participants share stories related to breastfeeding (see entries at the end of this post). My story represents the end of the story — how it turns out when a mother practices extended breastfeeding.
When I had my first daughter, I fumbled my way around until I found my parenting style. It happened naturally. I couldn’t stand to hear my baby cry; what mother can? So I breastfed her on cue, wore her… More »
Share a Story for the Carnival
For inspiration and support, it can be helpful to read other women’s breastfeeding stories. For the May Carnival of Breastfeeding we ask you to share a story: your birth story as it relates to breastfeeding, your breastfeeding experience, overcoming a particular challenge, a cute or funny story about your nursling, or your weaning story.
Have a story you want to share in a carnival post on your blog? Email me your submission by May 18, 2009, for consideration for the… More »
Interview with a La Leche League Leader
Today I am privileged to bring you a conversation with former La Leche League leader Carrie Lauth. Carrie writes at her natural parenting blog Natural Moms Talk Radio and her business blog, CarrieLauth.com. Carrie shares her long-term experience as a volunteer breastfeeding counselor.
What has your breastfeeding experience been like?
Joyful. I’ve had a few challenges along the way. I’m still nursing my fourth child so my breastfeeding days will probably be over in another year. I’m sure I’ll miss it!
With my… More »
Two Month Well Baby Visit
It has been two months since Nicole was born. I have yet to capture a good picture of her wonderful smile, so this photo will have to do. She cracks me up!
Yesterday I took her to our family practitioner for her two month well baby visit. She’s doing great, nursing well, and meeting all of her developmental milestones (in spite of my inability to capture them on film!) She weighed 12 pounds 9 ounces, and measured 23 inches in length… More »
Carnival of Breastfeeding: Pumping It Up and Cleft Palate
Welcome to the June Carnival of Breastfeeding: Pumping It Up! Check out all the contributions on the topic of pumping and hand expression at the end of this post.
Here at Breastfeeding 1-2-3 I am pleased to share this guest post from Holly, whose son has benefited from her exclusive pumping over the last 10 months!
Breastfeeding, Pumping, and Cleft Palate, by Holly
The breastfeeding relationship I share with my son is nothing like I expected it would be.
He was born… More »
Informal Breast Milk Sharing or Donation
Some women end up with a bountiful stash of frozen breast milk — be it from oversupply, a baby in the NICU, or an infant who turns out to be allergic to something in the milk pumped so far. Some of those women are moved to donate the excess milk to a non-profit milk bank. In the past few days, I have heard two women express (no pun intended) frustration at the restrictions posted on women who wish to qualify… More »
Gentian Violet and Grapefruit Seed Extract as Thrush Remedies
Welcome to the April Carnival of Breastfeeding, “Thrush and Mastitis and Blebs, oh my!” This month several contributors share their experiences with different breastfeeding challenges and offer links and resources for overcoming those challenges. First I will talk about using gentian violet or grapefruit seed extract as alternative remedies for thrush, but make sure to read on for links to the other contributions at the end!
Oversupply
When my first daughter was born, I struggled with oversupply. In theory oversupply sounds great… More »
Breastfeeding Speed Links for Valentine’s Day
~ Janya, a regular commenter here at Breastfeeding 1-2-3, shared her breastfeeding article OUCH! When Breastfeeding Hurts: The Lacto Files over at the new online women’s magazine Betty Confidential. Her description of thrush sounds just like what I hear from so many moms!
~ Whether or not to vaccinate is a hot debate among breastfeeding mothers. If the question is on your mind, check out this informative book review from The Leery Polyp of The Vaccine Book: Making the Right Decision… More »
Stand Up for Yourself and Your Baby
Do you support breastfeeding in public? What does “public” include? The mall, the park, a restaurant? What about in church (or any house of worship)? That last category seems to be really problematic. Some churchgoers feel very strongly opposed to babies breastfeeding in church. Apparently babies belong in the nursery or the “cry room” (what an awful name). Personally, I think people should focus on the sermon and not on the nursing mother and baby. I can’t imagine nursing is… More »
Now I Just Cuddle on Demand
Today’s guest post comes from Kate at Babylune. She tells the beautiful story of how she has found creative and loving ways to identify and meet her daughter’s needs throughout the weaning process.
Now I Just Cuddle on Demand
Weaning. I’ve wanted to do it for almost a year, but I am just getting around to it now. My daughter is almost 2 years-old.
Weaning, many women will tell you, is completely unnecessary. Children, they maintain, stop when they want to. Which, in… More »
Breastfeeding Advocate, Author and Breast Cancer Survivor Kathleen Huggins
Kathleen Huggins, RN, MS, IBCLC is the author of The Nursing Mother’s Companion: Revised Edition and The Expectant Parents’ Companion. She’s also the co-author of two other books The Nursing Mother’s Guide to Weaning and Nursing Mother, Working Mother, revised editions of which were released last week. Ms. Huggins is a registered nurse, certified lactation consultant and early childcare expert. For many years she worked as the director of a breastfeeding clinic in California. In an email interview with me,… More »
An Inspiration to Breastfeeding Mothers of Multiples
I happened to catch the Oprah show today about siblings. The first guests were the Harris sextuplets, the only set of African-American sextuplets to survive. Their mother Diamond Harris explained how she and her husband used intrauterine insemination to conceive. At first they were told they were having twins, then a subsequent ultrasound showed five heartbeats, and during the birth they got an additional surprise–a sixth baby had been hiding behind the placenta!
Oprah applauded Diamond for breastfeeding the sextuplets. The interview… More »
Breastfeeding Triplets
A reader shares her experience breastfeeding triplets! Enjoy this Q&A with Julie:
Tell us a little about yourself and your three children!
I am 23 years old and active duty Navy. I’ve been in the Navy for three years. I’ve been married for four years, and my husband just graduated from college in December. We were told we were expecting twins when I was seven weeks pregnant, and were ecstatic and surprised and a little scared. … More »
Update on Nursing through a Child’s Illness
My two-year-old is feeling much better today. Yesterday she couldn’t keep down any food in spite of her interest in solids. I told her that she could have food again once she stopped spitting up and in the meantime she could nurse. She was alright with that but told me that she’d be all better the next day, “I promise!” (She learned that phrase when I made her promise not to stick any more pieces of cantaloupe up her nose!)
So… More »
Baby Love: A Carnival of Breastfeeding
As we look forward to Valentine’s Day, this fourth Carnival of Breastfeeding presents several variations on the theme “Baby Love.”
Perhaps breastfeeding is helping you bond with your child after a traumatic birth (Motherwear Breastfeeding Blog) or you’re first meeting your son after a cesarean (Cairo Mama). Maybe you’re just finding out that love makes you do crazy things? (The Lactivist).
Starting to lust for another baby (My Baby and More) or already preparing for another one to arrive (Breastfeeding 1-2-3)? Find… More »
Feeding on Demand and Child-Led Weaning
Yesterday I received a lovely email from a mother who came across Breastfeeding 1-2-3 and felt inspired to share her breastfeeding story. Jennifer writes:
“My little darling, Faith, is 31 months old and still nursing on demand and I fully intend to allow her to decide when it’s time to wean. I’m working from home, so that has never been an issue for us.
Throughout her life, I’ve gone about feeding her just like I would go about feeding myself–whenever… More »
The Perils of Night-Nursing
At 2:30 a.m. I stumbled through the dark to my toddler’s bed. I didn’t bother to put my eyeglasses on even though everything appeared quite fuzzy to me without them. I could hear my daughter crying for me and I could vaguely make out her tiny form in the bed. I lay down next to her and rested my head on the pillow. She didn’t turn to me to nurse as she usually would, so I gently pulled her shoulder… More »
