Pretty mama newborn photos

Vancouver Sun steps in it: I disagree with the substance of this editorial (covering up isn’t a big deal, so just do it), but I guess everyone can an uninformed opinion. What’s egregious here is that Shelley Fralic does neither a good job of getting her point across nor of presenting the actual facts (which is that it doesn’t matter that a store is a “private” space). And having breastfed two babies is no free-pass for getting away with a poorly written and badly built defense. In other news, the Montreal nurse-in went swimmingly. (those breast hats are awesome, no?)

UK researchers question 6-month exclusivity: Where shall we start? With the fact that the bulk of the media reports got the headlines wrong entirely saying that the researchers question breastfeeding (not exclusivity to 6 months)? Or with the fact that the study itself isn’t really very clear at all? This is not a good thing for babies – hopefully, the responses of the WHO and other experts will be the voices that prevail.

Canada proposes new draft infant feeding guidelines: I’ve been hearing bits and pieces about the new draft guidelines, so it was interesting to see the whole document out. There are good things (breastfeeding to age 2, recognition of the Baby-Friendly Initiatives, etc…), not good things (failure to normalize breastfeeding language, not addressing the funding of support). Then there are plenty of things that just plain make you go “huh?” (speaking of the importance of the WHO Code, then making a recommendation in the next section that’s not compliant). This is a big deal and deserves some real attention – mothers are going to have to live with the recommendations for a good long time, so make sure you take the opportunity to comment. Since Health Canada hasn’t deigned to give us much time for that (Feb 3), go ahead and sign the petition before you settle in for a read.

Major U.S. Surgeon General Announcement on Breastfeeding: While the UK was throwing it into reverse and Canada had it in neutral this week, the U.S. Surgeon General put the pedal to the medal in making practical, but radical suggestions for breastfeeding support. Adoption of the WHO Code, maternity leave and peer support were among the key points. All big, gnarly political issues in the U.S. (and elsewhere), but a step further than they were yesterday, so I’ll take it.