(originally posted in August 2010 – dusted off without any edits ) It seems like these days the breast pump has joined the ranks of baby registry basics: every new mother assumes that she needs one. Like most spaces where breastfeeding and consumerism meet, there are good and bad aspects to this. The fact that it’s automatic is a big YAY!: it means that breast milk is what mothers assume their babies will drink. But breast milk doesn’t equal breastfeeding – and there are important [...]

he was tucked into my Hotsling as a four month old… now he’s almost outgrown the SIZE 4 t-shirt I bought there.

I have a confession. I’ve known for a long, long time that Teflon coated surfaces are not so good for you – I have actually pretty actively avoided reading too much about it, but I knew it. It’s sort of hard to ignore – when the studies funded by the makers themselves show the risks.  You shouldn’t use it around birds because it can kill them. Canaries in coal mines, people – you don’t need to read a book like “Slow Death by Rubber Duck” [...]

It hasn’t been a great week in the annals of breastfeeding help. I am feeling frustrated and discouraged and a little hopeless. This week, I answered 19 emails from mothers at various stages of nursing their babies – and none of them were suffering because of their own choices.  For several, my helping was to grieve with them the breastfeeding goals that wouldn’t be met and hope that my support would help them move forward with their families. These are the weeks where I wonder [...]

Triclosan is a commonly used anti-bacterial agent – it shows up in things like hand-soap, deodorant… and even toothpaste. Bacteria is germs and germs make you sick – so killing them (especially in a household overrun with those little Petri dishes called children) sounds like a good plan. For years, I was the anti-bacterial queen. During the SARS scare (remember that one?), I had a hand sanitizer in every pocket…. and a spray for every surface. Many billions have no doubt been made on that [...]

Boobies in the news for the week of January 21, 2011: beautiful breastfeeding shots, cover-up fail, UK breastfeeding policy stumbles, Canadian experts lose train of thought & the US Surgeon General takes a leap forward.

Boobies in the news for the week ending November 26: three views of milk-sharing, oxytocin as a sales tool & false reporting in breastfeeding research.

Talking about breastfeeding with a 6 year old – getting the message across, teaching the facts and fanning the flames of curiosity. In an age-appropriate tone. Good times.

Boobies in the news for the week of October 22, 2010: new growth charts, Nestle-free Week, Quebec milk bank, bed-sharing safety and the mediocre, but prolific French mother.

Why you should choose something other than Nestle candy for Hallowe’en…