Health Care

August 3, 2011

As a physician, I have had many opportunities to see how important the support I provide is to mothers' feeding decision. I deal with many women for whom public nursing is difficult because of the disapproving looks and comments they receive. From letting them know of their rights to breastfeed...

MomsRising Together

Sahira Long, MD, FAAP, IBCLC

Health Care Blog Carnivals

August 3, 2011

Dear Expectant Parent, Before the big day, I would suggest you become familiar with three video clips, which can be accessed from the Stanford website. In our culture, the first time we typically closely observe a breastfeeding baby is when we have our own. It will be much easier to understand some...

MomsRising Together

Jane Morton, MD

Health Care Blog Carnivals

August 3, 2011

World Breastfeeding Week (WBW) is here and there is much to report from the United States Breastfeeding Committee (USBC), your breastfeeding advocacy headquarters! This year’s theme, “Talk to Me! Breastfeeding – a 3D Experience,” reminds us that communication is critical to breastfeeding success...

MomsRising Together

Megan Renner

Open Flexible Work Health Care Blog Carnivals

August 3, 2011

Roughly four million women give birth in the United States every year – and most choose to breastfeed (74 percent). After all, the nutritional value of breast milk is well documented. Numerous studies show that breastfeeding protects mothers and children from a range of acute and chronic health...

MomsRising Together

Vicki Shabo

Health Care Blog Carnivals

August 3, 2011

Childhood obesity is a dangerous epidemic, as more than one-third of American children are now overweight or obese. Many of these kids will develop life-threatening conditions such as type-2 diabetes because of their unhealthy weight — some even before they graduate high school. Everyone from First...

MomsRising Together

Elizabeth Brotherton

Health Care Blog Carnivals

August 3, 2011

When my son turned a year old in February, I started to hear one question quite frequently: "You're STILL nursing him?!" Why, yes. Yes I am. When will I stop? No idea. I weaned my daughter at 14 months, and I was working full time. Now I am home, so maybe I'll nurse my son a little longer, and...

MomsRising Together

Erika Chavez

Paid Family Leave Open Flexible Work Health Care Blog Carnivals

August 3, 2011

Breastfeeding is the most natural thing in the world. But that doesn't always mean that it's easy or that there's no learning curve. Many mothers need a lot of support from friends, family and employers to start and continue breastfeeding exclusively for at least 6 months as recommended by the...

MomsRising Together

Ashley Boyd

Childcare & Early Education Health Care Blog Carnivals

August 3, 2011

The controversy brewing over a new breastfeeding doll soon to be sold in the United States reminds me of the bru-ha-ha about Teletubbies when Jerry Falwell accused Tinky Winky of being gay. People rightfully upset about homophobia came to the support of the show, misguidedly defending the goodness...

MomsRising Together

Susan Linn

Health Care Blog Carnivals

August 3, 2011

On August 1, the US Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) announced it would adopt the Institute of Medicine’s recommendations to close critical gaps in women’s preventative health care. Just last week, the Institute of Medicine (IOM) gave recommendations to close critical gaps in women’s...

MomsRising Together

Melissa Bartick

Health Care Blog Carnivals

August 3, 2011

Breastfeeding is the best thing for baby and mom. Everybody knows it. So why are so many people, from health professionals, to friends, to mothers-in-law, to husbands, intent on making the mother feel inadequate and getting her to quit breastfeeding? I have to think that many of them are not doing...

MomsRising Together

Annie