Search Results for: blog breastfeeding and hiv

10 Breastfeeding Facts from WHO

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American society seems to have a different attitude toward breastfeeding sometimes than the world at large. I was shocked when I started nursing my first child a few years ago to learn that the World Health Organization recommends breastfeeding until the age of 2. I had always thought that one year old was the recommended age, although I knew that many cultures breastfeed far beyond that. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends breastfeeding until 1 year. I have always breastfed my children until about 14 months of age. I am determined to breastfeed. This has not been an easy task … Continue reading →

Breastfeeding in Public

Ladies and gentlemen, allow my to introduce you to a concept that has been providing for the human race since the beginning of time: Breastfeeding. Without it… none of us would be here. “But I was formula fed” I hear you saying from the back. Sure… but what about your mother? Your mother’s mother? Your great great grandfather bill? If you’re really honest then you’ll realize that you don’t have to go back too many generations to find a relative above you on that big family tree who was sustained through infancy by a breast. The secondary part, of course, … Continue reading →

The Secret Ingredient You Need to Have on Hand

Have you discovered the wonders of sour cream? Sour cream is great because you can add it to just about anything to get a creamier, richer, or more moist result. I consider it a “pantry essential” as it’s the best way I know of to make a quick dip or add flavor and texture to a flat sauce. Here are a few of my favorite sour cream hints and tips: A Quick Dip Combine equal parts sour cream and mayonnaise. Then add chives, bacon and tomatoes for a quick and tasty dip for last minute company. Creamier Pasta Sauce Want … Continue reading →

Valorie’s Breastfeeding Index

Later today I will post a review of the baby blog of 2007 so why does breastfeeding get its own category? Well, in part as an answer to readers who want to read what I’ve written on breastfeeding. I’ve written so much on breastfeeding at this point that you all have asked for an index of sorts so it’s easier to find what you’re looking for. It’s also in part because I’ve become known as the breastfeeding lady. . .guru. . .whatever you want to call it. I’ve been at this breastfeeding business for a long time and many of … Continue reading →

Final Thoughts on the Breastfeeding/IQ Controversy

The internet is abuzz with controversy this week after a new study was released last week claiming that breastfeeding only makes babies smarter if they are already genetically predisposition to be smarter. One article, published by Newsweek implies that perhaps we won’t all be breastfeeding as much now that we all know it won’t make our kids smarter unless they have the gene for it. The unsaid conclusion is that breast milk and formula are equal. All I can say is give me a break! What I find interesting is that no one ever mentions exactly why all these studies … Continue reading →

World Breastfeeding Week and That Critical First Hour

This week marks the World Alliance for Breastfeeding Action’s international education and promotion campaign on breastfeeding. The theme this year is The First Hour–Save One Million Babies. The purpose of the theme is to educate mothers on how critical the first hour is of life, and about the powerful properties of that first milk–colostrums. There are all sorts of events internationally and if you are interested in participating or getting information you can visit the World Alliance for Breastfeeding Action. All of this week, I will be featuring breastfeeding articles in the baby blog. If you have questions about breastfeeding … Continue reading →

Baby Blog in Review: April Thus Far

What can I say other than ‘oops’? I forgot to post a week in review for the baby blog last week. I was just coming back from vacation, had mountains of laundry and other sundry things to take care of and well, I just forgot. So this week, I will bring you the baby blog review starting from April 1st! Sunday, April 1 April started off controversially with a blog entitled Weak White Males and the Difference Race Makes in Preemies. This is a discussion on the statistical tendency for males, especially caucasion males to mature the slowest in the … Continue reading →

Breastfeeding and HIV

Until recently, it has been thought that an HIV positive mother should not breastfeed her baby. However, recent research is showing that breastfeeding is so incredibly beneficial that even HIV positive moms should breastfeed their children. I do need to point out that the research I’m referring to in this blog, has been done in Africa. While I don’t think that this fact makes the conclusions null and void it is something to keep in mind while reading. When I say that breastfeeding increases chances for survival for babies–that may very well be true in Africa where health care and … Continue reading →

When Your Baby Has Food Allergies

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Recently, I decided to get my baby tested for food allergies. With the history that my two boys have had, I just wanted to make sure that there were no lingering issues as we moved forward with food trialing. I had been suspicious that eggs were causing a problem with my little one when I was breastfeeding. It was one of the foods I had cut out of my diet when he was having all of his tummy issues. But, none of my children have ever been diagnosed with your typical IgE food allergies. IgE stands for Immunoglobulin E which is … Continue reading →

Women’s Health Care Just Got More Affordable!

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As of August 1, 2012, the Affordable Care Act requires all health insurance plans to cover women’s preventative care without a co-payment or cost-sharing requirement. This means that women who have health insurance can get the care they need at a much more affordable price. August 1, 2012, is seen by many as a day of celebration for American women, and their families. This is because the Affordable Care Act now requires all health insurance plans to cover women’s preventative care without charging women a co-pay or deductible in order to receive these types of health care. This is the … Continue reading →