How to Find Places to Nurse in Public

When it comes to breastfeeding, one of the concerns that often comes up is nursing in public. Different moms have different opinions about nursing in public, how and where to do it. Where you nurse may depend on your own comfort level, whether or not your baby is easily distracted and what local breastfeeding laws are in place that protect your right to feed your baby in public. Most cities and states have laws that protect a mother’s right to nurse anywhere where children are welcome, although a few areas still do not, such as my own home state of … Continue reading

Nursing Leads to Stronger Lungs

A new study shows yet another benefit to breastfeeding, and it is one that is very different. We all have heard about the positive effects on respiratory health (breastfed babies are less likely to be diagnosed with asthma, for example), but here is a study that suggested that there is also a physical component to nursing. The benefits also do not apply to babies who are fed pumped breastmilk or babies who are nursed for three months or less. The study, done by researchers at the University of South Carolina in Columbia, reports on respiratory benefits that have nothing to … Continue reading

How Safe is Our Baby Formula?

With all of the news coming from China about tainted baby formula, you might be wondering about the safety of infant formula in the United States or Europe. How safe is it? Let’s have a discussion. First, in the way of a disclaimer, I am big believer in providing a baby exclusively with breast milk. I personally feel that it is the best way to feed a baby and also the safest way to feed a baby, and that most women could and should breast feed their infants without much exception. I also believe that parents should have a choice … Continue reading

Baby Blog Month in Review: July 2008

Two of my three children are summer babies. That is, they were born in the summer and had their first months surrounded by sunshine streaming in the windows, the sound of birds chirping, and days spent wearing nothing but a diaper and a “onsie.” I made sure that they had Fourth of July outfits ready, even though one of them arrived a week after the holiday. I guess he just wasn’t interested in the parade. Do you have a summer baby, too? We had a lot of new information to share this past month, such as recall notices and new … Continue reading

Baby Blog Week in Review: July 21st Through July 27th

What types of activities do you like to do with your baby? Is it playing on the floor, reading or taking walks? How about cooking? Check out this past week’s articles for new activities as well as some important baby safety news and recalls. July 21st Babies Are Most Likely to Get Bitten By a Dog According to a 2006 study published by the Journal of Pediatrics, children less than one year of age were the most likely group to be bitten by a dog. What is even more disturbing, is that children less than nine years old are more … Continue reading

One Breast Gives More Milk than the Other: Is This Normal?

Is it normal to have one breast produce more milk than the other? How can you tell? And, does this output of milk ever change? Here are some answers. First, let me assure you that as long as you have established a good nursing relationship with your baby, you will produce as much milk as your baby needs. Your baby won’t suddenly starve if you have been producing milk and nursing successfully. Second, you should know that yes, it is perfectly normal for one breast to produce more milk than the other breast. Why does this happen? Well, I personally … Continue reading

The Burning Question: Should Men Lactate?

If you’ve read my blog yesterday about the possibility of male lactation, I left readers hanging as to my personal view on the subject and rather just presented some information to ponder. The summary is yes, men can lactate. The burning question is: should this be the beginning of the revolution of mothering around the globe? Should men and women begin sharing equally the work of. . .breastfeeding? Isn’t the mantra of the women’s lib movement equality and is this not the ultimate in equality between men and women? My short answer to ‘the burning question’ is no, I don’t … Continue reading

5 Cultural Myths About Starting Solids

Believe it or not, much of what we do as parents, is culturally dictated. If we lived in another part of the world, we may not use diapers or cribs. We may walk around with our babies strapped to our backs or even breastfeed not only our own children, but our neighbor’s as well. So it is also with starting solid foods. When the twins were ready to start solids, it pained me to feed them jarred food. It’s different when you’re feeding one baby (or at least it was for me) but with two, I just watched the money … Continue reading