I think intuitively, most people recognize the power of human milk for human babies. However, it is nice to see science continuing to discover more amazing qualities of human milk. The most recent news is the discovery that human breast milk contains stems cells. I would imagine that this discovery could lead in many directions, but that’s for another time and another post. Here’s the link to more information about this recent discovery in Australia.
Feeding your baby expressed breast milk necessitates that you use a bottle and nipple. So the recent report released by the Environmental Working Group (EWG) showing that Bisphenol A is leaching out of hard, clear plastic bottles is particularly troubling.
Bisphenol A has been shown to be a hormone modulator and has been linked to several forms of cancer. Read about the Environmental Working Group’s findings here. And here is the EWG’s information on baby-safe bottles and formula.
I’ve heard the controversy about the addition of DHA and ARA in infant formula for a number of years now. My own experience with cow’s milk with added DHA was definitely a negative experience. Now, a group in the the United States has released a report discussing the risks of adding these omega-3 fatty acids, produced in laboratories from algae and fungus into infant formula. Since these products came on the market about 5 years ago, numerous complaints have been made. Premarket testing was apparently ignored and some medical professionals refer to formulas with these added omega-3s as diarrhea formula. Parents need to know the truth!! Read more about this report here.
Remember the days of bb guns, boys carrying pocket knives, and wandering for hours in the woods as a kid just exploring? Is it possible that we overprotect our kids today? Jean Leidloff in her book The Continuum Concept talks about this idea quite a bit. And here is a video of Gever Tulley talking about the 5 Dangerous Things You Should Let Your Kids Do. A very interesting watch and consider. Enjoy!
An email came into my inbox today. Not so unusual. It was a news story related to breastfeeding. Also not unusual. However, as I read the first line, I was struck by the fact that there are rarely any positive stories about breastfeeding; stories that share a normal, natural breastfeeding relationship between mother and child. How can we expect more women to breastfeed when the media, even in positive breastfeeding news stories (as this one is undoubtedly intended to be) frame breastfeeding in such a less than positive way?
This particular articles starts off- first sentence- with the following: “Breastfeeding can be uncomfortable, challenging, and difficult for some mothers.” Now the English teacher in me suggests that “challenging” and “difficult” are a little redundant, but in the larger picture, it seems to me that this is often how breastfeeding is portrayed in our society. Sure it is best for baby. Sure it is what mothers should do. But, hey, let’s face it, it’s hard, it’s painful, and it doesn’t always work out. Talk about setting a woman up for failure!
The article is about the local health unit’s Baby Friendly Initiative and their goal to increase breastfeeding rates. Laudible goals. It seems to me, however, that continually stating that breastfeeding is often challenging, painful, and yes, difficult, somehow is the antithesis of the intention. Why do we feel the need to state that breastfeeding is often difficult? Is it sometimes challenging? Of course. But do the majority of women who have had normal childbirths have a difficult time breastfeeding? No!
Unfortunately, this article is (I don’t think) that unusual. Perhaps it’s our need to assuage the guilt of women who choose not to breastfeed by making breastfeeding seem as though it is a challenging act that often doesn’t work and therefore likely wouldn’t have worked out for them anyway. I won’t go into that debate, but think about the last time you read a news story or magazine article in the mainstream media that did not, somewhere in the article, mention the challenges of breastfeeding. Where are the stories about how easy it is?
So my challenge to you (and me for that matter) is to start representing breastfeeding as it is and should be for the majority of women. Let’s talk about how labour and delivery affect breastfeeding. Let’s talk about the easy breastfeeding relationships that we have had with our children. Let’s share the relationship we have with our children and how breastfeeding has facilitated those relationships. Let’s show breastfeeding as a normal part of motherhood. Sure, women need to know that there is help available to them should they experience difficulties, but let’s first let them know that breastfeeding does not mean discomfort and difficulty! Let’s share our knowledge and experience having had positive breastfeeding experiences so that other women can also have a positive experience with their babies.
Care to share your positive breastfeeding story? Leave a comment 
A great video of a African woman demonstrating the traditional torso carry. The baby is so adoreable!
Babywearing has been around since the beginning of time. Traditional babywearing is the simplest form of caring for a child; it’s organic and intrinsic. Here is a wonderful collection photographs of ethic baby carriers. http://www.flickr.com/groups/ethnicbabycarriers/pool/
Here is a link to great information about baby-led attachment including pictures. Gone are the days of forcing a baby to breast, of mothers being taught to latch a baby and physically forcing a newborn onto her breast. Babies are born with the insticts and skills necessary to breastfeed. All they need is the love and support of their mothers to allow them to do it in their own time and in their own way.
Ran across this article about a study done to determine if babies can understand who is nice and helpful and cooperative and who is not. Certainly speaks to babies inate abilities, skills, and knowledge. There is so much we can learn from our children!
